Tattoo Removal Methods
Opting for non-laser “injections” to eliminate tattoos may seem enticing, but it’s essential to recognize the considerable drawbacks associated with this method. Not only is it markedly less efficient, but it can also be an agonizing and potentially perilous endeavor
Promoters of injectable methods often assert that tattoos can be completely eradicated within a mere four sessions or fewer, each spanning an uncomfortable 30 to 45 minutes. However, such convenience comes at a price, with each session costing approximately $100, a cost contingent on the tattoo’s size.
The ingredients contained within these injectable solutions may raise concerns as well. While they may flaunt seemingly benign elements like sea salt, water, aloe vera, and lidocaine hydrochloride (an anesthetic), the formula is often augmented with compounds such as hydroxyethylcellulose (a thickening agent), and traces of essential oils and purported “organic extracts.” On occasion, formulations have been observed to contain substances like zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, isopropanol, triethanolamine, and benzoic acid.
It’s imperative to grasp that this method, which necessitates piercing the skin with a tattoo needle to introduce the formula, bears striking similarities to applying salt to an open wound. In essence, it equates to a crude, non-laser approach akin to abrading the skin with sandpaper, injecting acid into the skin, and hoping for a favorable outcome. Unfortunately, most individuals who endure this procedure find themselves confronted with thick, unsightly scarring that bears an unsettling resemblance to the very tattoos they sought to eliminate.
In every instance we’ve encountered, clients’ skin exhibited pronounced thickening and elevation. Regrettably, this method tends to trigger the formation of stubborn scar tissue in close proximity to the remaining ink, rendering future removal attempts even more challenging. In light of these glaring drawbacks, it is evident that the purported advantages of injectable tattoo removal methods pale in comparison to the proven efficacy and safety of laser-based alternatives.
The procedure itself loosely resembles the act of tattooing. Instead of introducing ink into the skin, the practitioner typically administers a numbing agent, often lidocaine cream, to mitigate the pain. Following this, they employ a tattoo needle to inject a peculiar liquid or gel formula. This proprietary blend often makes bold promises of “lifting” tattoo ink from the depths of the dermis layer. In the aftermath of the procedure, the tattooed area forms a scab over the course of days or weeks, leaving the patient in hopeful anticipation of a faded tattoo beneath. The scabbing will fall off and can leave scaring behind instead of the tattoo.
It’s important to note that injecting lactic acid or any other chemical directly into the skin to remove a tattoo is not a standard or recommended procedure, and it may carry significant risks.
Lactic acid is naturally produced in the body during exercise and metabolism. When used in skincare or dermatological treatments, it is often employed in lower concentrations for purposes such as exfoliation or skin hydration. However, using lactic acid in high concentrations and injecting it into the skin to remove a tattoo is not a proven or medically approved approach.
If you are considering tattoo removal, it is advisable to consult with a licensed and experienced dermatologist or a certified tattoo removal specialist. They can provide you with information about safe and effective tattoo removal options, such as laser tattoo removal, which is considered the gold standard for removing tattoos. Laser tattoo removal works by breaking down the tattoo ink particles in the skin, allowing the body’s immune system to gradually eliminate them over a series of treatment sessions without damaging the skin. Laser tattoo removal performed by a trained specialist using the best laser in the industry, a PicoWay laser, will get the best results.
Attempting to remove a tattoo through unconventional and unproven methods, such as lactic acid injections, can lead to serious complications, including scarring, infection, and adverse skin reactions. It’s crucial to prioritize your safety and well-being by seeking professional advice and choosing established and reputable tattoo removal methods.
At Removery we have treated many clients who first tried tattoo removal injections who didn’t want to further damage their skin with additional injection treatments. Although we were able to remove their tattoos we were not able to help with the scaring left behind be injection tattoo removal. Here are some images found via online searches about injection tattoo removal.
A brief online search readily reveals numerous unsettling accounts related to this particular removal method. An article on the Daily Mail website, for instance, illustrates how the procedure led to the development of unattractive bumps and enduring scars atop an individual’s tattoo, leaving it conspicuously intact.
A clinical study published by K. Carlsen in Department of Dermatology, The “Tattoo Clinic”, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark sited the following about injection tattoo removal.: “Scarring and residual tattoo pigments were detected in all patients. Chronic itching (73%), redness (73%) and swelling (64%) were frequent. Patients were less satisfied with their tattoo after removal attempts….Removal was performed by medical professionals (82%) and cosmetologists (18%), involving the marketed injection brands Tatt2Away and Rejuvi.”
Another study was published by Dr. Ritu Saini of the Dermatology Department at the University Miami, Miami Florida and had similar negative results for the patients.
Unfortunately, injecting acid into the skin is unreliable, unpredictable, and can have disastrous consequences. Severe scarring can occur if the solution is not done perfectly. It can also cause pain and loss of pigment – and there’s little chance that an entire tattoo can safely be removed completely without causing scarring using this method.
