If you feel like you have outgrown your tattoo, then you are not the only one. A butterfly tattoo on the ankle, a lover’s name on the arm, a Chinese character that meant demon–what you thought was a great idea when you were a teen could be something that you thoroughly regret as an adult. When your tattoo is no longer an expression of you who are, you may be wondering how to get rid of it. Most people who want it done fast often go for laser tattoo removals. If you are looking for ways on how to remove a tattoo yourself at home, here are the top remedies to do just that.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
Before the medical community advocated laser as the main way to remove tattoos, they would recommend TCA peels. TCA is often used by dermatologists to get rid of your fine lines, wrinkles, and minor acne scars. Because TCA does not require a prescription, you can easily get it over the counter.
To remove the tattoo, TCA damages the top layer of the skin and relies on the body’s capacity to scar over and shed the old skin. When it scars over, you will be able to peel parts of the color off until the tattoo is almost gone. To apply TCA, get a q-tip and gently rub the water-like solution on your tattoo. Depending on the kind of tattoo, you may need to have several sessions of TCA to get the tattoo to the point that you can no longer see it.
If you are worried that this tattoo removal at home process will hurt as much as getting a tattoo, then you will be happy to note that a TCA peel is relatively painless. If you feel a sudden burn, then that only means that you will need to decrease the solution strength. Five minutes after applying the tattoo removal cream, the TCA peel should turn into a frosted gray color. After which, apply the neutralizer, and wash it carefully with soap and water.
Glycolic acid
If you are one of those who feel that how to get rid of tattoos yourself using glycolic acid is something to be left to the experts, then you are wrong. Just like trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid will remove the tattoo by peeling the skin. However, it will take longer time to do, because it is not as strong as trichloroacetic acid. If you have trouble choosing between the two acids, take into account the sensitivity of your skin.
Instead of just applying the glycolic acid to the top skin layer, you can also opt to inject it for maximum effect. While some people say that you should consult professional help, you can actually do this at home if you are handy with the tattoo gun. Obviously, when the tattoo is located at hard-to-reach areas, consider getting some professional help.
Laser tattoo removal can be expensive so make sure that you first consider all other options for tattoo removal at home before undertaking that. It is not only affordable, but it is also relatively painless. Additionally, you do not have to go far to find the components you need for how to remove a tattoo. Glycolic acid peel and trichloroacetic acid are readily available. Before starting on any kind of treatment, however, make sure to talk to your doctor.
Check out our page about diy tattoo removal.