TCA tattoo removal: do these peels penetrate deep enough to fade or remove a tattoo?

Prior to the introduction of light-based therapies, a variety of procedures were used for getting rid of them. These included dermabrasion, salabrasion, cryotherapy, chemical peeling. and surgical excision.
Each of these techniques relied upon stripping away the epidermis, the topmost layer of the skin, and exposing the pigment-laden dermis. Following exposure, the ink would be extruded as part of the healing process.

Unfortunately, chemical peeling with TCA 20%, which abrades the skin very superficially,  even with repeated use, is unlikely to do much to eliminate the deeply situation pigments within a tattoo.

Lasers and other light therapy devices, such as the Infrared Coagulater (IRC), are the treatments of choice today. Lasers work by emitting short, intense pulses of light that pass through the skin and target the ink. The energy from the laser light fragments the large particles of tattoo pigment enabling the body’s natural immune system to more easily scavenge the pigment and carry it away. This process usually takes several weeks, and multiple treatment sessions are often necessary to achieve maximal clearing.

Since black pigment absorbs all wavelengths of light, it is ironically the easiest pigment to remove. Colors, such as green, do not absorb as well, and sometimes a variety of lasers, with varying wavelengths, are needed to effectively treat a multicolored tattoo.

Potential complications include permanent scarring, temporary or permanent loss of pigment or excessive pigmentation. Fees for laser treatments may range from $1000-$3000 or more, depending upon the number of treatment sessions required, and the size, shape, colors, and location of the particular tattoo.

IRC uses non-laser infrared light to heat the area containing the pigment. It is quick and easy to perform, and generally requires fewer treatments than lasers. Most small tattoos can be treated successfully in one to three sessions. IRC’s efficacy also does not depend upon the particular color of the pigments involved. For these reasons, it is my favorite method for dealing with small tattoos.


The procedure is quick and simple. The area is first numbed with local anesthesia. Next, very short pulses of infrared light are directed at the tattoo in a gridlike fashion, leaving tiny spaces between each treated site. Since each burst of energy is just a fraction of second, an entire treatment session requires only a few minutes to complete. It is within the course of the next few weeks, as he wound heals, that the pigment is extruded.


To complete the removal, the intervening spaces are generally treated between two to four weeks later. Fees for a series of three sessions generally run about $1500. As with laser treatments, potential complications include scarring and temporary or permanent pigmentary changes. Most people, however, are quite gratified and relieved to be free finally of their tattoos. 

Please don't use chemical peels to try to remove a tattoo.  Generally it won't work unless you burn really deep into the dermis, which will result in horrible scarring.  Please seek out a professional and preferable one with a pico-second laser.

Regardless of whether or not the tattoo is professional or self-applied, TCA (trichloro acetic acid) is a mild acid (used mainly for superficial facial peels) that will not go deep enough (at this 20% strength) to remove all or even most of the tattoo ink. TCA removes only the epidermis and very upper dermis. Healing takes about a week or so, and unless the patient develops an infection or damages the tissues while healing, there is usually very low risk of scarring or pigmentation change (skin color change). Unfortunately, the tattoo ink will in almost all cases be deeper than TCA can effectively treat.

Q-switched Nd-YAG lasers (1064nm) generally work the best for most tattoo ink colors, though blues and greens are more difficult to remove and will take more treatment sessions. Most Q-switched YAG lasers also have a frequency-doubling capability (532nm, or half the wavelength) which allows efficient treatment of reds, oranges, and yellow tattoo inks. THe Q-switched alexandrite laser (755nm) is somewhat more effective for treatment of green and blue tattoo inks, but this laser is expensive, finicky, and prone to breakdowns, and is rarely seen in regular use for tattoo removal.

Don't waste your time with TCA; although low, as noted above, there is a risk of skin infection, scarring, or color change, particularly if you try too hard or increase the concentration of the TCA. Laser treatments are still the best, though multiple treatment sessions are necessary, they are somewhat costly, and there is about a 10% overall risk of scar, skin color change, or residual ink even with the best laser treatment.

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 week intervals will lighten a homemade tattoo but not remove it completely.
Lasers are so great at removing tattoos with almost no scarring that it is the only way to go. Stop peeling and go get the tattoo removed by a laser. You will be so glad you did.

The best method for tattoo remove is through the laser.  Chemical peels and other modalities do not penetrate deep enough to remove the ink from the tattoo that is in the deeper dermal layer of the skin.  Please consult a board certified dermatologist with the latest laser to safely and effectively remove your tattoo.