My Experience With TCA Peels for Tattoo Removal

I have several tattoos that I want to remove. However, I don't have the money for laser tattoo removal. So, I decided to try the home TCA peel route. I ordered a TCA peel kit off of Ebay and prepared for my first treatment.

The first step is to mix the TCA solution with water. I diluted my TCA down to about 30 or 40 percent strength. This stuff is clear like water and runs so be sure to have the area covered with old towels. A few seconds after I applied the chemical to the tattoo on my arm the burning started. Then the whole area frosted over.

I left the TCA on for about six minutes. Then I applied Neosporin. The area will stay white for about an hour. I did three TCA peels two months apart on the same tattoo and do you know what happened? The skin around the tattoo became darker and is now permanently discolored. Did the tattoo fade? Nope. Now, maybe some people have had success using TCA to remove their tats but I sure didn't. Now it actually looks worse because of the darkened skin around it.

So, that is definitely something I regret. Several years ago I had a portion of a tattoo on my leg tested for laser removal. Basically they hit one spot with the laser and left the rest. As far as why I never went back to finish the job, that's a long story. Anyhow, it did remove a great deal of the pigment but the area looks whiter than the rest of my leg. Now not only do I have an ugly tattoo I have an ugly tattoo with a piece missing out of it. Attractive.

I am focusing on covering up the tattoo until I find the perfect solution. I am going to save up for laser tattoo removal and be sure to go to a real expert. Even if the laser leaves scarring it is better than an ugly tattoo. Until then, however, I am on the quest for the perfect tattoo coverup. I have tried the makeups with mixed results.

So far, my favorite is Tattoo Camo. I also want to try Kryolan and Ben Nye which both look good. And, I want to try airbrush makeup. I got my tattoos at a very troubling time as a teenager and now I regret them. I am comforted to know I can hide them from myself and the world, and that my problem is rather common these days.