Tattoo Removal Creams – Do they Work?

I have read mixed reviews of so called Tattoo removal creams. Some doctors warn that Tattoo removal creams are a waste of money. Dr Patrick Bowler who is a surgeon doctor and director of Court House Clinics states that "It is too good to be true… There’s no scientific evidence that these things work… my advice would be to avoid them."

Despite the numerous testimonials that can be found online and the impressive before and after photos, medical experts say the idea that a simple cream could erase a permanent tattoo is nonsense.¹ Due to the nature of tattoos, pigment is injected under the skin making it difficult for a cream to penetrate says the The Tattoo Club of Great Britain¹. Creams available that break down the epidermal layers have been known to leave scar tissue from burning. While some claim these creams fade the tattoo after repeated use. I have yet to find someone who believes it removed the tattoo completely

However some tattoo removal creams involve injecting a cream called Rejuvi into the skin in the same way that ink is injected into the top layers of the skin to create the tattoo.² Rejuvi is absorbed by the pigmented cells and softens the ink. The cream is supposed to work by making the tattoo ink identifiable to the body and pushing it to the surface of the skin forming a scab. After a few weeks this scab falls off taking the ink with it. Some experts claim that the technique has a higher success rate than laser treatment and is cheaper and less painful with minimal risk of scaring.²

Tattoo removal by laser has seen successful results and is a more common method of removal. Laser tattoo removal works by breaking up the ink pigmentation. However laser treatment can be painful and expensive, costing in some cases thousands of dollars. Complete removal is not always possible and tattoos containing green pigment are said to be particularly hard to remove.

You should consult your doctor before undergoing any of these procedures. Here are the pros and cons of tattoo removal cream.

Cons:

• Judging by the reviews most say that it only fades the tattoo and will not remove it entirely.
• It has been known to leave scar tissue from burning.
• It takes longer to get results than tattoo removal by laser and multiple applications are needed

Pros:

• It’s cheaper than other methods such as removal by laser

Other options include:

• Tattoo Removal by Excision
• Tattoo Removal by Dermabrasion
• Tattoo Removal by Salabrasion
• Tattoo Removal by Vaporization
• Tattoo Removal by Laser

1. Laura Bundock, Tattoo Removal Creams Just 'Don't Work', news.sky.com, Thursday February 14, 2008 [↩] [↩]
2. Rebecca Camber, Unwanted tattoos can be removed by cream injected into skin - without pain or scarring, dailymail.co.uk, 27th August 2008 [↩] [↩]