Are you thinking about using a TCA Tattoo Removal product?

TCA (trichloroacetic acid) chemical peels have been around in various forms for over 50 years.

Chemical peels were initially used for treating calluses and corns on patient’s feet. About 20 years ago TCA peel experiments were conducted for other skin problems like acne scarring, wrinkles, discoloration and tattoo removal.

It was discovered that a 25 to 50% TCA acid concentration was generally the most effective. The higher the concentration, the deeper the peel would be, however caution must be taken for peel strengths of up to and over 50%. The Jessner peel recommends a 35% strength

TCA is considered a ‘medium’ peel (lighter peels are Glycolic and Lactic) and causes a controlled inflammation which results in the epidermal skin layers above the tattoo being peeled or sloughed off and replaced with new skin. This inflammation causes the ink to break apart naturally and rise to the surface with newly generated skin growth.

The product may be purchased in non-prescription and prescription strengths. It looks and feels just like water when applied to your skin. TCA is simple to use and can be applied in your own home, normally with just a q-tip.

How often should TCA be applied?

This normally depends on the concentration that you use and your own body’s reaction to it. Once the TCA peel has been applied, you can expect the outer layers of skin to start peeling after approximately 1 – 2 weeks.

It can then take another full week for all the dead skin to come off. After that you’ll want to allow the skin to recover for another 3 – 4 weeks before beginning your next peel. You should not apply a TCA chemical peel more often than once every four – six weeks.

Keep in mind that your skin may peel more than once.
Continue reading TCA Tattoo Removal

This company formulated a removal system that would not only remove the tattoo but would also nourish, heal and protect your skin at the same time. They claim to want their customers to be totally satisfied with the results from using this tattoo removal system.

The company claims that, unlike other products, the use of theirs will start to show results in 4 – 8 weeks (rather than 4 months).

A 1 month kit (for the removal of a 2” x 4” tattoo, with daily use) consists of:

(1) 8 oz bottle of skin cleanser
(1) 4 oz bottle of skin scrub
(1) 30 ml bottle of fading cream
(1) Instruction guide with customer service phone number.

This product allows you the option to choose either light or dark skin solutions, the formula is custom made for you at the time of your order.

These daily steps are required to ensure the best results:

1. Apply the cleanser. This will prepare the skin to accept the fading process. This step also removes any excess oil or dirt and improves the texture of your skin before beginning the second step.

2. Apply the skin scrub. This allows the removal of dead surface layers of your skin. It will increase your skin’s ability to absorb the fading cream. The scrub also includes anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Apply the fading cream. This process is slow but effective and includes lighteners for pigmentation, moisturizers, anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, and compounds with anti-viral properties.

Price:

Basic Kit:$65.00 (1 month supply).
Additional Fading Cream for Basic Kit: $25.00

New Extreme Kit (not recommended for sensitive skin) : $90.00
(added step for increased effectiveness “pumpkin enzyme peel” as well as a higher concentrated fading cream)
Additional Fading Cream for Extreme Kit: $40.00

Skin Scrub (replacement)
(4 oz): $10.00
(8 oz): $25.00

Pumpkin Enzyme Peel (replacement)
(1 oz): $15.00

There is no charge for shipping within the US, an additional $20.00 is charged to cover shipping to locations outside the US.

Note: The extreme kit was created to make darker tattoos fade at the same rate as the regular kit. It is guaranteed to fade birthmarks, skin discolorations as well as remove moles (do not use on face or genitals since the Pumpkin Enzyme Peel ingredient is very strong an likely to cause irritation).

The company does offer a guarantee but it states that, if used exactly as directed, you will begin to see fading within 60 days.

Ingredients list:

Users are reminded to only apply this product directly onto your tattoo. If discoloration happens on any other area you should stop using the product immediately and contact customer service or a doctor.

The ingredients may cause redness or other minor skin irritations. If this happens, temporarily discontinue using it until your skin clears up. Then retry using only a smaller amount of the product. If irritation persists or worsens, discontinue use and contact customer service.

You should not use the product if you are pregnant or nursing.

Also, it is important to make sure that you order the appropriate kit for your skin color. If you have lighter pigmentation then you should use the kit for lighter skin. If your pigmentation is darker, then you should order the kit for darker skin. All of their products are mixed for you at the time of order to ensure the freshness of the ingredients.

This company seems to have integrity. They do not try to sell you on a quick and dishonest tattoo removal cream solution. They are up-front about the fact that it is going to take between 6-18 months before your tattoo is completely gone. However, they also claim that noticeable results usually appear much sooner than that (4-6 weeks on average).

New Tech, the parent company of Dermasal™ sells a 3 piece tattoo removal kit that they claim is ’safe, painless and natural’ and takes as little as 10 minutes a week to use.

The kit consists of a:

Spray-on agent – prepares the skin for the topical solution.
Topical solution – erases the tattoo by dissolving the ink embedded in the skin.
Spray-on gel – soothes and protects the treated area.

Dermasal claims:

• The products are painless and do not harm the skin
• Your tattoo will begin fading within 1 to 3 weeks after use
• It can take between 3 and 18 months to completely remove your tattoo(!)
• The FDA has given the product’s ingredients “GRASE” status which means they are recognized as “safe and effective.”
• Over 100,000 customers have used this product.
• Product will not cause scarring.
• The product’s effectiveness has been confirmed by 3 double blind studies.

As with any form of tattoo removal, the size, shape and depth of your ink will all affect the ease of its removal. However, Dermasal has been specially formulated to remove or lighten your tattoos, regardless of these things. The company claims the product will dissolve any tattoo in as little as 3 weeks on any skin type.

Price:

$86. for a 1 month supply, shipping to US by UPS Ground $11.95.
$120. for a 2 month supply, shipping to US by UPS Ground $14.95.
$200. for a 4 month supply, shipping to US by UPS Ground $24.01.

Costing under $100 for a one month supply, it is currently one of the cheaper tattoo creams out there.

Additionally, the company offers a 3 month 100% money back guarantee, as well as, free email and phone support. Dermasal is shipped via USPS Priority Mail within the USA and Global Priority outside the country.

This 100% money back guarantee is a positive sign for this product. The company is backing up their claims, which is not the case with every tattoo removal cream.

According to their website, Tattoo Off is a product made specifically for removing tattoos and permanent cosmetics of any size or shape.

There is no pain or scarring involved with this procedure and you can use it in the privacy of your own home.

Using their recently introduced two-step process (compared to three steps with many other products), Tattoo Off promises to rid you of your unwanted tattoo within weeks. All you have to do is follow the tried-and-tested process and see for yourself.

The two steps:

1. Getting past the skin – Tattoo Off uses a natural formula consisting of many extracts to penetrate the skin above your artwork. The chemical solution then bathes your skin in a healing cream while surrounding the ink. By doing this in an organic way, Tattoo Off is completely non-invasive and promotes healthy skin growth. It also claims to be hypo-allergenic.

2. Breaking down the ink – Tattoo Off targets the ink itself – no matter the color. Apparently for this product, it simply does not matter.

One of the things that sets Tattoo Off apart from other tattoo removal creams is not just its two-step process, but its bio-friendly composition and process.

Few other creams out there feature non-abrasive ingredients that claim to be gentler to the skin. This is credited to their use of fortified plant extracts, including:

• Aloe Leaf Juice – aids in healing skin
• Anthemis Nobilis – has claming and soothing effects, also used to treat skin disorders
• Calendula Flower Extract – anti-bacterial, effective in healing
• Cymbopogon Shoenanthus – known for its astringent properties
• Eucalyptus Globulos – used in skin care, has cooling, refreshing, # and energizing effect
• Equisetum Arvente Leaf – rejuvenates skin
• Lemon Extract – soothes skin and maintains moisture balance
• Orange Peel – effective skin care ingredient
• Rosemary Leaf – used for skin ailments and stimulates healing
• Sage Leaf – high in anti-oxidants

This product is known to take a little longer to remove a tattoo. This longer time, of course, translates into greater expenses. A lot of user feedback on the net suggests that for people with sensitive skin it may be worth the extra investment.

Prices:

$65.00 for a 1 month supply. S/H $4.95
$116.95 for a 2 month supply. S/H $7.95
$149.00 for a 3 month supply. S/H $7.95

You can receive free shipping and handling on orders of 5 months or longer.

The company claims that most tattoos will require a treatment program at least 5 months in duration.

Conclusion

Tattoo Off is considered a bio-friendly, non-abrasive, effective, and healthy option for tattoo removal. Although it is claimed to take longer to work than some other well known creams, Tattoo Off is still an alternative to very expensive and painful laser procedures.

The company recommends using it to lighten a tattoo prior to getting a cover up but also states the product can completely remove a tattoo.

The company’s website does have a number of errors as far as links not working properly and pages not loading correctly. Others have noted that some of the ‘before and after’ photographs in the Photo Gallery appear doctored, or ‘photoshopped’. However, Tattoo Off are not the only offenders in this case.