Don't do it. A TCA peel will not remove the tatoo pigment. Although TCA peels have a place in dermatology, they do not remove tattoo pigment from under the skin.
TCA tattoo removal work to get rid of tattoo?
I am using TCA (currently at 20%) to fade/remove a tattoo on my arm. My question is, do these peels go deep enough to fade/remove a tattoo? If not (other than laser) is there another approach with minor risk of scarring?
3 answers to “TCA tattoo removal work to get rid...”
A: Maybe but I don't recommend a TCA peel for tattoo removal
Light TCA chemical peels (10-20%) probably won't do anything to a professional tattoo since they are deep in the dermis. A homemade tattoo is usually more superficial and deep both since you can't keep the needle at the same level as a professional machine can. Doing 4-6 TCA 20% peels at 2... more
A: Lasers are the safest and most effective way to remove a tattoo
The TCA peel probably won't work because it only effects the superficial dermis and does not target the pigment of the tattoo. Older methods that didn't produce scarring include: excising the tattoo and putting a skin graft on it dermabrasion Lasers are the safest and most effective way... more
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unregistered guest
20 Jan 2009
I think she just wants you to spend money on lasers because TCA DEFINITELY works. You can even use it less diluted. Also you can fade it a lot with TCA and then remove it with a fewer amount of laser treatments, cutting the cost significantly.
1 post
15 May 2009
I have had 9 laser treatments on my tattoo with little effect (over $1,500 spent). The facility is going to try a chemical peel on me today.... *crosses fingers*
unregistered guest
14 Jun 2009
I have a large tattoo and am currently using TCA at 60% to remove it. I have seen signifigant fading everywhere I have applied it. One warning though, the stronger the acid the higher the risk of scarring or damaging the pigment of your skin. The answer is yes TCA has been medically studied and yes it works but used incorrectly can permanently damage the skin. Use with care and good luck.
unregistered guest
27 Jun 2009
I have seen TCA results first hand on a co-worker. While it didn't completely remove the tattoo (she's only done 3 treatments), there was significant fading on the home made tattoo on the web between the thumb and forefinger on her hand. It was very hard to see if you didn't know what you were looking for. I'm excited to see how it will look after a few more treatments.
1 post
23 Jul 2009
I have been getting 6 tattoos lasered for a little over 3 years now - maybe 20 + treatments to be honest I stopped counting. In the beginning I saw improvement, and for the past 2 years I don't think it is working anymore. I keep going bc the Dr promised me they would come off and no scarring. Well they are maybe 50% faded, but its still looks bad. I bought some TCA - have not received it though, but I am willing to try anything. Has anyone successfully removed a tattoo using TCA- maybe after they have had mulitple laser treatments? If I would have known after 3 years of getting lasered I still have these tattoos but just faded I might not have chosen to do it.
11 posts
26 Jul 2009
See Wikipedia.org under "Trichloroacetic Acid" It is used for tattoo removal. I've been selling TCA for six years and I get many positive feedbacks from customers using TCA for tattoo fading and removal. It does require a number of treatments to totally fade tattoos, but is way cheaper than the office visits. tcapeels.com