Ever gotten a tattoo you regretted? Yeah, me neither.
Ever chosen one, then halfway through, you changed your mind, or decided it hurt too much to go on?
Yeah, neither have I.
How about gotten drunk one night and gone into a parlor asking for a tattoo of something either horrendous, stupid or childish, then woke up regretting it. Ever done that? Ahem – neither have I.
In all seriousness, though, I think we can say this happens to a lot of people. When it does, the regret sinks in, then the embarrassment of other people being able to see it. After that, the thoughts of removal spike the mind.
And when this happens, you do more research than a college student who wants to become a doctor! You want the best tattoo cover up you can possibly have, right?
Well, you’ve come to the right place to find just that.
No more regretting! No more embarrassment! Get your old skin back without scarring and pain! Sounds too good to be true? Here’s all you need to know about tattoo removal creams.
How Tattoo Removal Creams Work
Before we share the top best tattoo removal creams on the market, let’s discuss how these creams work. These products claim to remove the appearance and texture of a tattoo. Generally speaking, these creams work by peeling away the top layer of your skin or bleaching the skin so you can no longer see the ink present.
But for a tattoo removal cream to work at its best, it needs to contain an array of chemicals that could be harmful and dangerous to your skin, so you should only purchase this type of products if you’re committed to permanently remove your tattoo without the need of a painful and often costly laser tattoo removal procedure.
Creams vs. Laser
One of the most popular ways to remove a tattoo is through laser. This is a popular and safe method when carried out by a professional, and it’ll remove your tattoo forever. The laser works by breaking up the ink particles so that they’re carried through your bloodstream for you to then flush them away naturally.
During the tattoo removal procedure, your skin isn’t burned and there are very minimal side effects if you take care of the affected skin and avoid any extended exposure to the sun after treatment. Perhaps one of the chief disadvantages of a laser removal is the price.
What’s more, laser tattoo removal isn’t pain-free. While some patients have reported “excruciating” levels of pain during the procedure, most people who have tried it confirm that the pain is “bearable” and very similar to the one experienced during the tattoo application.
The Most Common Active Ingredients in Tattoo Removal Creams
If you’re concerned about the ingredients you’re applying to your skin, take a read of the list below with the most popular ingredients found in tattoo removal creams. However, we always suggest reading the back of the product you’re looking into and ensuring you’re not allergic to anything.
Hydroquinone
This is one of the most popular ingredients used in tattoo removal creams and is very effective at fading unsightly hyperpigmentation, freckles, and spots on the skin. By targeting bright and dark colors in inks, this ingredient can help reduce the appearance of a design anywhere on your body but it cannot completely eliminate it.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)
This is another popular ingredient you’ll find in some of the most effective tattoo removal creams and is a chemical responsible for peeling away dead skin cells. This active ingredient helps to remove a tattoo surprisingly fast by allowing new skin to grow and take over its place so that you’re not just discoloring skin but encouraging new skin to grow.
TCA has been used since before laser therapy for tattoo removal. The chemical has less spectacular effects than laser but it does work, and at a fraction of the price. Unfortunately, TCA comes with some side effects, like skin irritation (from mild to severe), allergic reactions, swelling, extreme discoloration, and local pain.
What’s more, TCA is best used by only fair-skinned people. Blacks, Hispanics, and other dark-skinned racial and ethnic groups should steer clear of this chemical peel ingredient as it may lead to permanent alteration of the skin color and scarring. Also, don’t use TCA around the eyes and other sensitive areas as it may cause burns and high levels of toxicity.
Who is not a good candidate for TCA use?
TCA generally works well for fair-skinned people. Individuals with a darker skin color or those who have a tendency to tan, such as Asians, Hispanics and African Americans, generally do not get positive results with TCA. In dark-skinned individuals, TCA use has been linked to unpredictable results and has been know to cause extreme hypopigmentation of the skin and even permanent scarring.
In addition, a greater number of TCA treatments may be required in such ethnic groups to remove or fade the tattoo. Overall, TCA is not recommended for those with darker skin tones as the results are unpredictable.
Natural Ingredients
Some newer tattoo removal creams include natural compounds as their ingredients instead of using aggressive lighteners and chemical peels. The tattoo removal process will take longer but these ingredients are still effective while also being kinder to your skin and having little to no side effects.
Look for green tea extract, sage leaf, ascorbic acid, white licorice, and more. You may also find some additional moisturizing ingredients to help quicken the skin’s repair process and improve the overall results.
The Pros Of Tattoo Removal Creams
The chief reason that the use of tattoo removal cream to get rid of unwanted tattoos is so popular because creams are less toxic than peels and simpler. You can purchase a tattoo removal cream at nearly any beauty supply store, tattoo shop, or drug store. It’s become popular among teens and young adults who experience regret about (some of) their tattoos.
Tattoo removal creams are also cheaper than tattoo removal alternatives such as laser surgery, surgical excision, and dermabrasion. Plus, you can remove your tattoos in the comfort of your own home without hassle.
The Cons Of Tattoo Removal Creams
Some tattoo removal creams contain chemicals such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Although trichloroacetic acid is used by healthcare professionals for various skin treatments, it’s still dangerous to use without adult supervision. Always talk to your dermatologist before using a tattoo removal cream that contains this ingredient.
Common side effects of tattoo removal cream include burning, itching, inflammation, peeling, permanent scarring, and permanent skin discoloration. If you have allergies, you may experience anaphylaxis, difficulty breathing, hives, nausea, swelling, and vomiting. So, patch test the cream on your skin before starting to use it extensively.
In addition, most tattoo removal creams don’t work in the short run unless they’re TCA-based and may need up to 6-9 months and a considerable investment to yield satisfactory results. Also, most of these creams aren’t FDA-approved but plenty of reputable tattoo shops can recommend you safe and effective tattoo removal creams that contain no harsh chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a tattoo removal cream hurt?
All of tattoo removal creams on our list have been reportedly tested before they were brought to the market. You may experience some tingling or numbing upon application. The active ingredients in a tattoo removal cream may make your skin feel cooler before, during, and after treatment. You should not feel any pain or discomfort when using such products.
I have dark skin. Will a tattoo removal cream work for me?
Yes, it will. Most tattoo removal creams are strong and effective at removing tattoos on darker skin tones as well. Just steer clear of TCA and you’ll be fine.
Why would I want to fade or remove my tattoos?
You could change your mind after getting a tattoo. A sizable number of tattoo parlor clients remove their tattoos over time to make room for new ones. Skin elasticity and hydration decrease with age, so your tattoo may not look as fresh in five years or so.
Sun exposure may also distort the size, color, and shape of your tattoo depending where it’s located on your body. Tattoos do change over time and not for the better.
How many applications will it take before my tattoo is gone?
The first and most important step is to exfoliate. Clean the tattooed area before applying the cream. This will remove the dead skin cells and allow the cream to penetrate into the second layer of your skin to remove the tattoo. The number of applications largely depends on the cream and potency of its active ingredients. Read the labels carefully and give it some time to work.
I’ve tried laser tattoo removal before. Why didn’t it work?
It could happen for many reasons. One factor was the type of laser that was used during treatment. Some lasers can’t pick up certain tattoo colors such as blue, pink, or red. A quality tattoo removal cream does work. We are confident that you won’t need laser treatment after you give a try to any of the creams listed here.
Will I have a scar in the shape of my tattoo?
You should not experience any scarring after applying a tattoo removal cream. If anything, your skin tone may lighten. Your tattoo will either lighten or gradually fade away.
Will my skin scab or peel?
Scarring is unlikely to occur when using a tattoo removal cream. You may want to keep the affected area out of the sun, from heat exposure, and away from laser treatments. If your skin does happen to blister or swell, contact your dermatologist immediately.
The Best Tattoo Removal Creams To Buy This Year
Below is a review of the best tattoo removal creams that you might want to try to get rid of those unwanted tattoos.
Profade Three Step Action
This first product works in three steps. The first step is preparation. Tube no. 1 is a cream that prepares the skin for the removal process. The second step is activation. The cream no. 2 activates with the ink and begins the removal process. The third and last step is elimination! Poof, it’s gone.
With a paltry 20% five star rating on Amazon, this product seems to have helped some people achieve that desired result of no more embarrassing tats on their bodies but the jury is still out.
Pros:
- Product is Returnable
- Mild and Gentle on the Skin!
- 100% Natural Ingredients!
Cons:
- Takes a While to Fully Work (From 3 to 9 Months)
- Pricey in the Long Run
All in all, this seems like a slightly time consuming, but very worth it process!
Inked Up Removal Cream
Tested and developed by a team of professionals, this product is guaranteed to work and to work fast! Clinically proven to fix that drunken mistake before the next family gathering where you can show off your now ‘clean and free’ body!
Pros:
- 100% Safe and Natural!
- Passionate Business Owners!
- Removal is Safe and Comfortable!
Cons:
- Product Comes in a Small Tube.
- Fastest results with the Inkd Up Tattoo Fading Oil
Wrecking Balm Tattoo Fade System
This product comes in a box with everything you will need to remove that unwanted rainbow unicorn from your thigh! With over 200 reviews and counting on Amazon, this product seems to be drawing eyes!
In a clean, easy to access box with all the tools you will need, customers find this product intriguing.
Pros:
- Real Results and Pain Free!
- Smooths and Rejuvenates Your Skin Daily!
- Waterproof and Lightweight!
- Great Buffer for Laser Removal
Cons:
- Pricey-er than Other Products
- Bottle is Too Small
- Best used as a buffer
Read the reviews to see more, but why not try it for yourself? This may be that exact product you’ve been looking for to remove that tat! If not, keep reading!
We’ve got plenty more products to show you that are guaranteed to work.
Tat B Gone
Frequently bought with the Wrecking Balm ointment, the Tat B Gone cream is a well rated tattoo removal system for your unwanted skin alteration. Guaranteed affordable solutions always catch the eye of the consumer, so this one should catch your eye with it’s impressive bang for your buck in the long run!
With it’s three step process, it resembles the Three Step Action formula, but many reviewers claim it works even better.
Pros:
- Easy!
- Effective!
- Convenient!
- Guaranteed to Remove an Entire Tattoo!
Cons:
- Only One Month Supply
- Takes a While to Work
Which Tattoo Removal Cream Should You Buy?
In the long run, it’s really up to the user, right? So, give any of these products a try and we guarantee one will work for removing that unwanted tattoo from your body. Whether it takes a few months, a few weeks or even a few days, one of these products will work to remove that tattoo.
We recommend the Tattoo B Gone as a mild in-home alternative to laser surgery for removing unwanted tattoos and other skin blemishes, but the definitive winner is the RePare Skincare Chemical Skin Peel (if you don’t have anything against a more toxic but highly effective solution).