Is TCA A Good Solution for Tattoo Removal?
TCA (trichloroacetic acid) is a skin peeling agent used for dermatology conditions to remove acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles on the face. But is it an effective solution for tattoo removal?
As with all tattoo removal solutions that are available there seems to be mixed results. There are many different methods for tattoo removal today including: pulsed light, laser, fade creams, cryosurgery, salabrasion and skin peel with acids. All of these methods for tattoo removal claim to work.
It should come as no surprise, that results will vary with each person and their tattoos, because a mulltitude of factors are involved. How well a tattoo vanishesare affected by the following: types of skin, how fast a person’s body heals, how old or new that tattoo is, what colors are in the tattoo, the type of ink used, depth of the ink, where on the body the tattoo is located and more.
TCA however, does have a couple of medical studies published in the British Journal of Plastic Surgery and the South African Medical Journal. Positive results were observe in both of these studies. Similar results were presented from both studies that TCA as a treatment for tattoo removal was found to be safe, simple and an effective tattoo removal agent with an 85% success rate at either removing or fading the tattoos on subjects that were tested.
TCA works by creating a controlled inflammation on the surface of the skin. It is applied directly on the tattoo with a q-tip. The pigments breaks apart as the TCA works its way into the skin and rise to the top. As part of the healing process, the top layer of skin will peel away. The body will naturally re-grow the skin. The process is repeated as frequently as needed to get the desired results. Depending on how fast a person heals—it usually is repeated at six week intervals.
It is recommended to keep the area protected from the sun during the complete process. It will be very vulnerable to damage by the sun, because new skin is so photo-sensitive.
Surprisingly, TCA is reported to work very well on all types of ink colors. Even the colors that do not work well with the laser procerdure seem to fade with TCA.
One final thought, some people seeking the ultimate solution for tattoo removal will use the cream products or undergo the TCA skin peel process first to fade the tattoo, and then undergo laser treatment. That way the laser procedure, which is really the best overall solution, is not as expensive and time consuming.
| Account limit of 2000 requests per hour exceeded. |
Mail this post
