Surgical procedures for the removal of tattoos, including laser therapy and Intense Pulsed Light treatment, among others, were popular in recent years but have given way to the newest tattoo removal phenomenon, do-it-yourself, at home removal using creams. The tattoo removal balm market is currently dominated by Wrecking Balm, TatBGone and Tattoo Erase, three of many products currently available. While tattoo removal balms contain an array of primary active ingredients, hydroquinone has been the dominant chemical in the at-home tattoo removal market. The chemical works by decreasing melanin production in the skin, and is commonly used cosmetically for skin bleaching, mainly for the reduction of freckles and age spots. Tattoo removal balms with hydroquinone usually contain about a two percent concentration of the controversial chemical. The FDA proposed a possible ban on hydroquinone in the United States in 2006, and it has been banned in several counties worldwide due to the suspicion that it may have a pose a slight cancer risk.
Instructions on how to use the products vary, requiring different frequency and lengths of use, as well as different methods of application. Tattoo removal balm manufacturers promise a gradual reduction in the appearance of unwanted body art with very little or no pain. Product reviews for the most popular removal products generally report that consumers had varied results, but experienced minor stinging at worst when the products were used as directed.
The most recent “it” product, Doc Wilson’s Wrecking Balm No. 3, takes tattoo removal one step further by incorporating a medical dermal device to help move the process along. This device was recently approved by the FDA for home use in tattoo removal. The three-step process claims to work by breaking down ink injected skin and taking advantage of the body’s natural skin regeneration process. Salicylic acid and phyllanthus emblica fruit, commonly referred to as Indian Gooseberry, are the two main active ingredients in the cream.
Prices on home tattoo removal products vary greatly, and consumers can expect to shell out as little as $50 or as much as $300. Most can easily be purchased online or by phone.
Jeff Flincks writes about tattoo removal balm usage and skin care.
