Creams and balms have become a popular alternative to other tattoo removal methods. What people like about them is that they are much cheaper than, for example, laser tattoo removal, and can be done in the privacy of your own home. However, there are mixed opinions on effectiveness of tattoo removal creams. There are no good scientific or medical studies showing that they work, and I would be hesitant to use them.
I have not personally tested any of the do-it-yourself tattoo removal methods using creams and balms, but I would not expect a whole lot from them. Some people report good results with helping to fade a tattoo to the point where only the person who originally got the tattoo or gave the tattoo would know where the tattoo was located. Others say that the cream that they were using has not done a thing to fade their tattoo, or even made it look darker.
When you are considering getting rid of tattoo using creams, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Think about factors that might affect the success of your tattoo removal. Consider the size of the tattoo and the colors. An older tattoo that is already looking fairly faded will be much easier to remove than one that is still fresh and bright. This is because the ink has already faded from exposure to the sun and as the result of the body breaking down some of the ink. Color of the ink plays a role, too. Black and red inks will be significantly easier to remove than blues or green. Also, removing a tattoo that is filled with shading will be easier than removing a tattoo that is filled in completely with think, rich ink.
Assess your tattoo objectively and think about what you are going to be willing to do in order to make it disappear. Most home tattoo removal methods take time and commitment. Some are going to be more painful than others, while also needing to be done over and over again. Are you interested in a solution that will be less painful, but might take longer and have lesser results, or are you more than willing to accept more pain to make that tattoo disappear?
Another thing that you should keep in mind before you start exploring do-it-yourself tattoo removal methods is your health. Are you generally healthy? Are you prone to skin infections? Do you have any allergies? Keep in mind that you will be applying foreign chemicals to your skin. If your skin is sensitive and breaks out easily, make sure that you research the ingredients list very thoroughly.
Tattoo Removal Creams
There are several different creams available that will promise you a much less vivid tattoo, if not one that has been erased entirely. The biggest advantage of using tattoo creams over other methods of tattoo removal is that it is painless and does not risk scarring as you can simply apply directly over the tattoo. Do keep in mind that many tattoo creams will contain Hydroquinone which is used to bleach the skin and has been accused of causing cancer and skin problems. While this ingredient is banned in several countries, there is still no conclusive proof that it causes health problems.
For example, some people claim that after using TatBGone and Tattoo-OFF they did notice significant fading of the tattoos without pain or damage to the skin. Another website, Remove that tattoo!, also claims that their tattoo removal cream is “The only proven way to remove tattoos without surgery”. You should be very skeptical of such claims, but if you really need a tattoo removed and don’t have the money for surgery, it probably wouldn’t hurt to try one or both of these products. However, if you think you’ll save money this way, think again! A two-month supply of Tat B Gone is $125, and it takes several months to get the desired results. A two-month month supply of Tattoo-OFF is $117. So, it isn’t inexpensive, but certainly more affordable than using laser treatment for tattoo removal.
Another option that many people try is Wrecking Balm. Wrecking Balm is a tattoo removal cream and tattoo fading system that claims to provide painless and fast tattoo removal. It’s supposed to be a safe and easy solution you can do at home to remove your unwanted tattoos. After visiting some different sites and forums where people have commented on and given their reviews, what I found out was this: No one claimed it totally faded their tattoo. 60% said no noticeable fading of their tattoo 20% said there was some noticeable fading. 20% said there was a lot of fading. About 35% said they were pretty happy with the amount of fading they had.
Before you purchase any of these creams, do some research and read some of the comments by people who have tried them.
Regardless of which type of tattoo removal method you may think is best for you, it’s best to consult your doctor before making a final decision.
Learn more about tattoo removal on Tattoo Removal Cost & Options Blog and read my posts about various options and tattoo removal prices, laser tattoo removal, and tattoo removal dermabrasion.
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