Using TCA tattoo acid to remove an unwanted tattoo is considered a safe, non-invasive way to lessen or, in some cases, completely remove your unwanted ink.

These products are non prescription and are often available at many on-line stores and regular pharmacies. One ounce of medical-grade acid, is often enough to cover a moderate size tattoo, and will normally sell between $40 – $60. These kits normally come with complete instructions and in some cases will require you to dilute the acid. This is usually required where the TCA is a strong concentration. You should use distilled water for the dilution. It is often recommended that you clean the tattoo and the area around it thoroughly prior to use. Application of the TCA acid is normally done with a cotton swab to apply a liberal amount of the TCA to the entire tattoo area. It has the consistency of water so be careful when applying it as it may run.

It is most often recommended that you leave the tca on for approximately 3 to 4 minutes to allow the acid time to sink through the epidermal layers of skin. The entire process will often need to be repeated as many as 6 times for the best results. However, one of the most important steps is always allowing ample recovery time for your skin. Depending on the strength and quality of the tca product you purchased it can often take up to 6 weeks for one treatment cycle. Using the TCA again before this cycle has completed will not give you better results. The skin requires time to heal and it is this process that will lift the tattoo ink to the skin surface. Using tca tattoo removal products is not the fastest method of removing unwanted ink pigment but it is considered safe and definitely cheaper than many alternatives. You can read up on some of these other techniques at: wrecking balm before and after, tat b gone, ipl tattoo, tattoo off and dermasal.

You may experience a mild burning on the area treated with tca for tattoo removal. This is usually remedied with baking soda, mixed together with water. Many retailers sell 35% – 50% solutions of TCA, but you can also purchase stronger products. Mixtures of TCA higher than 50% should be avoided in people with darker skin tones as hypopigmentation may result.

Are you considering a Jessner peel?

Medium strength chemical peels create a controlled inflammation using one or more chemical agents on the epidermal layers and upper dermis which, over time, results in tissue regeneration.

Common ingredients currently used include one or a combination of glycolic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA), lactic acid, resorcinol, solid carbon dioxide and trichloroacetic acid (otherwise known as TCA) an alpha hydroxy acid. All of these peel agents have been used for years by dermatologists and doctors and estheticians.

Prior to TCA’s use for removing tattoos it was known to provide acceptable results in reducing fine wrinkles, treating acne scars, freckles, birthmarks, discolorations, stretch marks and mild-to-moderate photo aging as well as removing corns. For some time now TCA tattoo removal peel strengths up to 50% seem to have been the preferred strength for these conditions.

At this strength and higher, however, it has been known to cause certain complications including scarring. This has caused this strength to become less popular. 35% TCA formulas have been found to produce equally positive results without the associated side-effects.
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Nuviderm’s TCA tattoo fading product is marketed as a simple-to-use, safe and effective home tattoo removal option.

The company claims that user’s of its product can save up to 60% of the cost of having their tattoo removed, how is this you ask?

Well they claim that since the cost of having a tattoo removed by laser can cost approximately 10x more than having it put on to begin with – pre-fading it (prior to undergoing laser sessions) will cut your costs that dramatically.

A TCA tattoo removal home fading kit may mean you’ll require fewer laser sessions. What this can also translates into is less-painful laser therapy. This is because the TCA tattoo peel will have a chance to pre-fade your ink using a controlled chemical inflammation. Less ink absorbs less pain-causing heat from the laser. An added bonus to Nuviderm (as well as many other sometimes cheaper TCA products) is a shorter recovery time after your laser tattoo removal or intense pulsed light tattoo removal sessions because the pre-faded ink is easier to remove.

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Why do people sometimes prefer TCA tattoo removal products over tattoo fade creams?

One reason is if you visit many of the tattoo removal cream websites some will list their ingredients while other will not. Their ingredients lists will often include chemicals such as soothing agents different types of oils, preservatives (parabens), fragrances, and in some cases you’ll find abrasives and finally a skin bleaching agent or fading product.

Here’s a list of the most common skin fading/bleaching ingredients used in theses tattoo removal products – along with some of their most common side effects:

Hydroquinone – Is an organic compound which is a type of phenol. In human medicine it has been a common topical application to lighten skin. There is some testing evidence, although currently considered inadequate by some, that for human use it does have potential for carcinogenicity. It has been banned for cosmetic use in all of the EU (European) nations, 21 countries in all. It has also been banned in Australia and some other Asian nations. It is still available in reduced strengths for over-the-counter purchase in Cansa and the United States.
Continue reading TCA Peel Tattoo Products – why are they preferred?