Can You Remove a Tattoo at Home?

Many people have at least one tattoo that they no longer want. Let's face it -- we've all done things that we regret. For some, these things include permanently marring their flesh with tattoos.

If you've got tattoos that you love, that's great. But if not, it is important to realize you do not have to live with the embarrassment of sporting unwanted body ink. There are various options for tattoo removal that you can utilize. Many people wonder if they can forgo expensive doctor's office treatments and remove their tattoo at home. Believe it or not, this may be possible.

Removing a tattoo at home should be something that is done only after serious consideration of the risks. This article should not be taken as an endorsement for home tattoo removal. One method that is sometimes used to remove a tattoo is salabrasion. Before the invention of laser tattoo removal, salabration was used to get rid of unwanted tattoos.

How it works is simple. The tattoo is scrubbed with an abrasive saltwater solution until scabbing forms. The saltwater abrasion helps break down the ink. This procedure can leave severe scarring and be extremely painful. Not only that, but the salabrasion site can become infected.

A less painful method of removing tattoos at home are with the tattoo removal creams on the market these days. With names like Dermasal, Tat B Gone and Wrecking Balm, these products claim to remove tattoos without any pain or discomfort over a period of months or even years. Whether or not these creams actually work for everyone who uses them is debatable. One alternative to tattoo removal creams is TCA, or Trichloroacetic acid. This is a type of skin peel that may help lighten tattoos, but it should only be done at your dermatologists' office.

Laser tattoo removal remains the most effective method of tattoo removal. However, since it cannot be done at home and is quite expensive, many people try to remove their tattoos at home, on their own. If you choose to go this route, use caution and consult your doctor if adverse effects occur.