Does Tattoo Removal Cream Work?

Tattoo removal creams do not work, and they’re dangerous. 

Online companies selling tattoo removal creams claim that, when applied to tattoos, the creams help to fade them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Applying such creams to the skin can actually lead to scarring, wrinkling, burns, irritations, and infection.

Why Tattoo Removal Creams Don’t Work

Tattoo removal creams rely on harsh, acidic ingredients designed to peel away the skin’s surface. But because tattoo ink lives deeper in the dermis, these creams can’t reach the ink, meaning they do little to fade the tattoo itself. Instead, they often lead to irritation, scarring, and discoloration. 

Bottom line: they’re not a safe or effective solution for tattoo removal.

Explore 9 Things You Should Know Before Removing Your Tattoo. 

What’s TCA?

It’s a peeling agent that dermatologists use to remove calluses, freckles, warts, and skin tags. When you have an in-office TCA treatment, dermatologists select the ideal concentration of chemical solution for your skin type and tone to minimize the risk of scarring and hypo-pigmentation. But when you purchase a one-size-fits-all tattoo removal cream containing TCA, that’s just a recipe for disaster waiting to happen!

The most common complications resulting from TCA usage are scarring, severe burns, and peeling. And TCA solutions won’t even remove professional tattoos because the tattoo pigment is located too deep in the dermis for the solution to penetrate. Essentially, you’re just wasting your time and money with tattoo removal creams, not to mention taking a very dangerous risk.

What’s Really in Tattoo Removal Creams?

Some tattoo removal creams don’t even list their active ingredients. Others include tools labeled as “dermal instruments,” meant to exfoliate your skin so the cream can penetrate deeper. This is not only unscientific, it’s downright dangerous. Trying to scrape or burn your skin to fade a tattoo can leave behind lasting damage.

What Actually Works? Laser Tattoo Removal

Tattoo removal creams might seem like an affordable option, but they’re not clinically proven to work and often come with risky side effects. Laser tattoo removal, on the other hand, uses advanced laser technology to safely and precisely target tattoo pigment deep beneath the skin.

Rather than taking a risk with tattoo removal creams, you should check out laser tattoo removal. It’s the only safe, effective, and permanent way to remove unwanted tattoos.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

Laser tattoo removal works by targeting pigment colors in the skin’s dermis, the layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. Light beams radiated by the laser are absorbed by tattoo pigments, which then fragment. The body then absorbs and eliminates the pigment fragments.

The Q-switch is the most common type of laser used in tattoo removal. It produces pulses of light boasting an extremely high peak power. Several types of Q-switch lasers exist, and each one targets a different color spectrum at different wavelengths. Because Q-switch lasers are so precise and intense, tattoo pigments fragment instantly, resulting in minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.

What’s a Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure Like?

It’s pretty simple, actually.

Before a laser tattoo removal session, your clinician will determine which type of laser to use and how many treatments you’ll need. The number of required treatments is based on the tattoo’s age, size, type, and pigment depth. Before determining an appropriate treatment plan, your clinician will first test out the laser on your skin to see how it reacts.

So what happens during a laser tattoo removal treatment? Before the session starts, you’ll be given protective eye gear to wear, along with a cooling device. The clinician will then gently place a handpiece against your skin and deliver laser pulses to the tattoo pigment. With each laser pulse, most patients experience a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping against their skin. The amount of laser pulses depends on the tattoo’s size, but most treatment sessions only last a few minutes.

You may experience minor bleeding, redness, swelling, and blistering for several hours or days following treatment. The next several weeks may see the treated area flaking, peeling, and scabbing. Handle the treatment site gently. While the site is healing, you should avoid sun exposure and swimming pools. Once the skin has completely healed, you can undergo additional sessions.

Skip The Tattoo Cream: Laser Tattoo Removal Gets Results 

There’s no other choice, really.

Laser tattoo removal is the only safe and effective method to remove unwanted tattoos. After a series of successful laser treatments, your tattoo will be faded and in many cases, removed completely like it was never there. Keep in mind, however, that how fast your tattoo fades or disappears depends on its color pigments, depth, and age. 

The good news is that technology just keeps on getting better. Newer laser technologies such as the Nd:YAG and Q-switch can now effectively treat even the most stubborn ink colors.