Using Tattoo Removal Creams

If you surf the net a lot or watch late night TV, you may have noticed a recent influx in advertising for do it yourself tattoo removal kits. Popularly known simply as "tattoo removal creams", these products are sold over the counter, without a prescription, as a DIY remedy for tattoo removal. Manufacturers claim they, first of all, will fade or remove your tattoo entirely, and will do so without any pain or scarring. On top of this, it can be done in the comfort of your own home without any medical supervision. But do these claims stack? Are these tattoo removal cream companies being entirely honest?

Let's take a closer look at these questions and answers.

It's definitely true - and a big selling point for people wanting to get rid of a tattoo - that these products are over the counter and can be bought privately online, and then be self-administered in the comfort of your own home. There is no comparable tattoo removal technique (short of using a cheese cgrater I suppose!) that can make this claim.

But does it work?

Many people have succesfully purchased and used a tattoo removal cream, such as Wrecking Balm (the most popular and well known cream on the market) to remove a tattoo themselves. At the same time, others claim it did nothing, or worse yet, it made the tattoo brighter.

Some points to consider in regards to these claims:

1. Older, cheaper tattoo are going to fade quicker. If the tattoo was done using low quality tattoo ink (or even non-tattoo ink) and low quality or home made equipment, these creams and lotions are going to have a quicker job fading the inks.

2. Newer tattoos might experience a brief phase of looking brighter before they fade. This is because the ink is being brought closer to the outer layers of the skin on its way out. Stopping the removal process half way through may lead to the tattoo remaining brighter than it was before! Definitely not a good end result anyone would be looking for.

3. It can take many, many, applications before the job is done. And because these kits are not cheap when you're looking at buying a dozen applications (as opposed to just one or two), ther cost can add up. Maybe then it makes more sense to look at some alternatives to removal creams.

One method you might want to consider is the use of a professional cover up job instead of tattoo removal. Many artists delight in the challenge. If you're not familiar with cover up work, google some before and after shots and you will be amazed at what can be done.

If this does not interest you, and you'd rather put the money towards another technique, consider rejuvi tattoo removal cream (very different despite the same language syntax!) or one of the most time-honored removal methods, the use of lasers.