Can Bentonite Clay expedite the tattoo removal process?

Question

I read somewhere that calcium bentonite clay helps expedite the tattoo removal process.. something about the ink has positive ions and the clay has negative therefore the clay will help pull out toxins from the skin and help rid the tattoo. Does anyone have any info on this???

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Laser tattoo removal is the gold standard for tattoo removal. Tattoos should be removed with q switched or pico lasers. It will take a series of treatments. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a laser tattoo removal expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Kory Kitagawa, MD · Answer

I haven’t heard anything about the effects of calcium bentonite clay on tattoos. It certainly won’t harm you, but I doubt it will remove your tattoo. When you’re ready to remove your tattoo, a board-certified dermatologist who is expert in PicoWay will be able to help you. It takes at least 5 to 8 sessions.

Lauren Chavez, MD · Answer

However, unlikely some of the acid/bleaching creams, this is very unlikely to hurt. So, give it a try, and convince yourself. If it doesn't work, you can save the bentonite clay and use it to help the wound heal after tattoo removal, which is more likely to be effective :)

Richard Rosol, MD · Answer

A fanciful idea, at best. And quite an excellent question.
Yes, tattoo pigment contains a positively-charged metal atom, but it's part of a stable mineral salt crystal with no net charge. The crystal is insoluble (thank goodness, because most of the heavy metal ions would be toxic, otherwise.) The crystal's inert nature is the very thing that makes it so suitable for tattooing. I think this is all the chemistry we need to know to evaluate claims about clay tattoo removal, at least as you presented them in your question.
But let's probe a little deeper, anyway. Friends of calcium bentonite claim that its "natural" negative charge attracts the "positively-charged" ink (a uncharged chunk of mineral crystal, remember) out of the skin. Taking the example of a mercury-based ink (yes, they exist), a mercury ion has an electrical potential (think of it as the "attractiveness" it has to the clay) that's super, super, super tiny. There's a lot of tough skin between it and the clay. If it WERE charged (remember, it's not) the attraction would be so weak that they might was well be miles apart instead of 1 or 2 millimeters. To put it in terms of magnetic force, think of using a refrigerator magnet to pull a paperclip through a brick wall, and that's how effective the plan is.
It's important to add here... Laser energy doesn't break the ionic bonds of the crystal, it just breaks the crystal into smaller pieces for easier disposal. Clay still wouldn't work when combined with laser treatments.
So...
Laser tattoo removal continues to be the most effective option. I'm very open-minded about alternatives and would love it if there were a cheaper option that's at least as safe and effective as laser treatment.
 Thank you for posting your question!

Can Bentonite Clay expedite the tattoo removal process?

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