Removing Tattoos – Ink Properties


Are you looking for the best methods of removing tattoos?

Unfortunately ink manufacturers and tattoo artists, who mix their own pigments, are not required to reveal their contents. Nor are these products currently required to have US FDA approval. Most inks used for tattooing are not technically inks but rather pigments (powders) that are mixed with various carrier solutions designed to disinfect the pigment and ensure that it remains evenly mixed for ease of application.

The following carriers are considered to be the safest:

  • ethanol (drinking alcohol)
  • purified water
  • witch hazel
  • Listerine
  • propylene gylcol
  • glycerine

The less-safe carriers are considered to be:

  • denatured alcohol
  • methyl alcohol (methanol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits) – drinking only 10 ml of methyl alcohol has been known to cause blindness, ingesting 100ml can kill you
  • isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol – it is most often used as a cleaning solvent)
  • ethylene gycol (antifreeze – used in vehicles and air conditioners, when ingested it can affect your central nervous system, heart and kidneys, causing death)
  • aldehydes, such as formaldehyde (the stuff they preserve bodies with) and gluteraldehyde (a medical disinfectant and preservative, it is known to be toxic toxic and can cause severe eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, as well as, headaches, drowsiness and dizziness. It is considered one of the main sources of occupational asthma among health care workers.

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tattoo removal considerations

The growing popularity of tattoos in recent years has not surprisingly lead to a great increase in demand for affordable, safe and effective tattoo removal methods. It is now estimated that over 40% of people who have tattoos have some degree of regret regarding them. Laser tattoo removal is widely known as the industry standard.

However, the cost of laser sessions, not to mention the associated pain and long term time commitment, often leaves people searching for alternatives that could be just as effective and possibly cheaper. There are now multiple, proven methods available. Some have been around for many centuries while others are more modern and just as effective as laser therapy – without the huge expense.
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Home Tattoo Removal

Home tattoo removal creams are a great option when you compare them on the basis of price, pain, and risk. Most often, the biggest downside of using tattoo removal creams is that it will often take a bit longer to produce results as compared to laser therapy or the other options which include ipl tattoo removal, cryosurgery, tca tattoo chemical peels (or glycolic acid), excision tattoo removal (or skin grafting) or the various forms of dermabrasion tattoo removal.

Choosing the best method to remove a tattoo is always going to be a major decision and will always require a level of commitment and patience. Having the tattoo done probably only took a few hours, while removing it will likely take months to achieve the desired results. You also need to keep in mind that just like the other methods of removal these tattoo removal creams will work with varying effectiveness on different ink colors, as well as different types of ink.

Initially, you’ll need to decide on what removal option makes the most sense for you. If you choose laser therapy to remove your tattoo, you need to be prepared for the cost. Spending a few thousand dollars for this is not unheard of. The total cost will depend on several factors which include things like: where you live, the size of your tattoo, ink density and the number of colors. Laser tattoo removal is considered to be a very effective and proven method to get rid of an unwanted tattoo, it is often referred to as the ‘gold standard’. Bear in mind, this option does come with a number of important considerations. The cost is most often what scares people away once they are told it will take multiple expensive visits (often costing at least $100 – $200 each) to remove their tattoo. The next consideration is the pain involved, some people report it is similar to an elastic bands being snapped repeatedly against the skin.

As an alternative, many consumers are choosing to combine laser therapy with home tattoo removal creams. This can save a lot of money and pain since it can lead to fewer expensive and painful laser sessions. Prior to having the laser treatments these consumers will use a removal cream to first lighten their unwanted tattoo. Without doing this they may have needed a higher number of laser or IPL sessions. Even if they were able to eliminate 2 of these sessions, at $200 each, they would save $400 which is certainly more than most of the removal creams cost for a few months supply. Essentially, the home removal creams assist in exfoliating the older, dead layers of skin and allows the tattoo ink to rise to the surface, or the ink is slowly absorbed by your immune system. Both of these techniques cause the tattoo to fade, over time.

In summary, laser tattoo removal is considered a very effective option but is the second most expensive (IPL is usually done at a higher cost), painful, and does carry some risk of causing additional trauma to the epidermal skin layers. Tattoo removal creams, on the other hand, are much more affordable, are generally sold without risk (some come with money-back guarantees which other do not), but take longer to provide the best results. Therefore, if you are experiencing buyer’s remorse with an unwanted tattoo, a great option to consider is a home tattoo removal cream before, or in addition to, these other options.

Read the Wrecking Balm tattoo removal and Tat B Gone tattoo removal reviews.

Tattoo Removal at Home


Do-it-yourself tattoo removal methods that can be done in the comfort of one’s own home have been growing steadily in popularity. Tattoo removal dermabrasion, laser tattoo removal and excision are the more expensive, and riskier options for removing unwanted tattoos.

The most common at-home tattoo removal kits use skin lightening agents, chemical peels (often TCA or Glycolic acids), exfoliants, chemical extraction ingredients and creams that often include multivitamins to help restore and protect the skin from the harsh effects of the main ingredients. These products will not normally require a prescription or a doctor visit. The risks of scarring or infection are minimal with these products, they may not be approved by the FDA but their ingredients are still considered quite safe to use.
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