Tattoo Removal Creams: Do They Really Work?

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Article Title:

Tattoo Removal Creams: Do They Really Work?

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Article Description:

Once it became known that hydroquinone may cause cancer some

of the existing creams downplayed the existence of

hydroquinone in their product by not publicizing their

ingredients or by hiding it in such a long list of other

ingredients that they hoped no one would bother reading the

list.

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Distribution Date and Time: 2009-08-19 11:00:00

Written By: Adell Cogar

Copyright: 2009

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Tattoo Removal Creams: Do They Really Work?

Copyright © 2009 Adell Cogar

Healthy Skin Association

http://www.healthyskinassociation.org/

Tattoo removal creams have been around for many years. Most of

the original creams consisted of water, " natural botanicals " ,

propylene glycol, various forms of alcohol, some minor acids such

as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), fragrance and Hydroquinone.

Hydroquinone was the main active ingredient, used because it

suppresses the production of melanin, the chemical in the skin

that determines skin color. The more melanin a person has the

darker the skin, less melanin creates a lighter skin tone. Once

it became known that hydroquinone may cause cancer some of the

existing creams downplayed the existence of hydroquinone in their

product by not publicizing their ingredients or by hiding it in

such a long list of other ingredients that they hoped no one

would bother reading the list. As Dr. Lawrence E. Gibson of the

Mayo Clinic says " Tattoo removal creams are widely available

online. But there is no evidence that they work "

Recently a new wave of so called tattoo removal creams have come

upon the scene. They rely on inhibiting or completely stopping

the production of melanin, but they are composed of new and

different chemicals to fade the skin. It's like the old card

trick where the dealer distracts the players with one hand while

dealing his own cards from the bottom of the deck. After a few

applications the user notices that their skin is fading and

thinks that means the tattoo ink itself is fading. As time passes

the skin tone over the tattoo becomes lighter and lighter and

gives the illusion of fading tattoo ink, but the ink never goes

away and the skin becomes completely depleted of melanin.

Eventually the user catches on, but the bad news is that

manufacturers of this type of " tattoo removal cream " offer no

guarantee, so there will be no refund of the few hundred dollars

spent to fade a small area of skin pigment. The new ingredients

used to accomplish this is usually Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin and

Bearberry Extract in combination or alone. The product may also

contain a variety of preservatives, moisturizers, skin healers

such as Aloe Vera and a fragrance. That's all very nice if you

want to get rid of age spots, freckles or create an even skin

tone on your face, but there has never been one medical study

that proves any of the above ingredients, in a highly

concentrated form either together or alone, will do anything to

fade or remove tattoo pigment.

Most skin pigment lies in the top layer of skin called the

Epidermis with much smaller quantities sometimes residing in the

second layer of skin called the Dermis. The problem with the skin

fading products is they generally only penetrate to the Epidermis

and never reach the Dermis or second layer of skin where the

tattoo pigment is deposited to create a permanent tattoo. Even if

the cream was to penetrate to the Dermis layer there is no

ingredient in any tattoo removal cream that can remove, much less

fade, tattoo ink pigment. Many modern tattoo pigments include

products such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic),

inorganic metals and heavy metals and are to deep in the skin to

remove using simple melanin inhibitors.

The only thing that gives tattoo creams the slightest chance at

fading a tattoo is using it in combination with dermabrasion or

exfoliation. The dermis, where tattoo ink lives, has to be the

ultimate point of attack if there is any realistic expectation of

tattoo ink removal. The following drawing shows a cross section

of skin layers and the limited ability of tattoo removal creams

to penetrate beyond the epidermis. Creams with instructions to

apply once or twice a day are simply to mild to reach the dermis.

They are nothing more than hand softening creams with melanin

inhibitors added.

( Supporting Image:

http://thephantomwriters.com/client-img/skin-hsa.jpg )

Probably the most widely known non-laser tattoo removal product

uses a form of dermabrasion and and a cream. The cost of this

product is high because of the battery operated sander that comes

in each kit and the advertising dollars spent to build the brand

name. The creams contain abrasives to aid in exfoliation and a

variety of moisturizers, skin conditioners, sunscreens to help

prevent hyperpigmentation, cleansers, oils and skin lighteners,

or melanin inhibitors, to give the illusion of tattoo pigment

removal. Given enough time the process may work, but the time

required is much, much longer than the advertiser would lead the

public to believe, all the while product users are sending in

$150.00 every 2 months for more product. During the first couple

of months melanin inhibitors give the impression the product is

working better than it actually is, that's the basic strategy

behind most tattoo removal creams. Most manufacturers offer no

money back guarantee while others offer what appears to be a

guarantee, but close reading reveals the standards for a refund

are so strict as to be non-existent.

Further examination of tattoo removal cream ingredients reveals

that with a trip to the local drug store most of the ingredients

that cost $75.00 for a one month supply can be bought for $5.00

and accomplish the same amount of ink removal as the commercially

marketed product.

Below are several examples quoted from real Tattoo Removal Cream

Guarantees:

* 100% Satisfaction

" QuickFade has a 90 day guarantee! Take the Test... Try

QuickFade for yourself for at least 90 days, and if you don't

see dramatic results e-mail us and your products are FREE, no

questions asked! "

.... " Here's how our guarantee works; If our systems or products

have not worked for you. You are eligible to receive FREE

PRODUCTS until you achieve the results you desire. Providing that

you adhere to the following conditions;

3 Month Guarantee:

If after 90 days you haven't obtained the results you desire,

simply purchase another 3-month supply of products to qualify for

the 6-month guarantee. Once you have used our system or products

180 days and you have not yet obtained the results you desire,

simply e-mail the customer service department to activate the

monthly delivery of your FREE products.

6 Month Guarantee:

E-mail the customer service department within 185 days from the

date you received your package to activate your FREE products.

-Once you begin receiving your FREE products, you must e-mail the

customer service department before the 30th of every month to

keep your FREE products coming.

-You simply pay $12.95 (USA) or $19.99 (International) for

shipping/handling and your FREE products will be delivered

discreetly to your door within 5-10 business days (USA), 2-4

weeks (International) It's that simple!

If you need assistance with our guarantee just e-mail us, were

here to help you! "

Translation: They don't return your money, they send you more

product which you pay for at a greatly reduced price.

* Refund and Return Policy

" If you would like to return our product, you must email within

30 days of the shipment date to receive authorization and return

instructions.

All unopened product can be returned for a refund. A re-stocking

fee of 25% will be applied. Product must be sealed, unopened, and

in original packaging. Product must be shipped back to

TAT-Med.com at the customers' expense. All merchandise must be

insured properly by the customer. Refunds will be issued upon

receipt of the returned products. Shipping charges cannot be

refunded. If items are not insured properly and get damaged or

lost when returned, we cannot grant refunds.

No product returns can be accepted after 30 days.

Foreign orders which are detained or confiscated by Customs are

not subject for refund.

An RMA (Return Authorization) must be obtained from the office by

email before a refund will be accepted back for return. Upon

receiving the email request for the RMA, a representative will

clarify the eligibility for the return under our return policy

and provide an RMA and return address back by email. Any returned

product without an RMA will not be refunded. "

Translation: A customer has 30 days to return the product, but a

refund will be issued only if product package was never opened

and used. This means if you try it and don't like it you can't

return it because you have opened the original package which

violates the warranty.

* Guarantee and Privacy

" Due to the high level of success we achieve from our clients,

we are able to offer you a product with incredibly superior

ingredients. Follow the steps of thousands of our satisfied

clients around the world. With everything aside, we assure you

that our product, Profade, has the greatest ratio of satisfied

clients on the web.

Purchases with credit card and other forms alike are completely

safe and confidential. We promise never to sell your information,

nor use it without your consent.

We use programs which are completely secure to preserve your

personal information. With this technology no one will be able to

access your personal data.

Your credit card will be safe thanks to our protection programs.

Your email address and other contact details will never be sold

because we follow the Law of Information Protection of 1980.

All orders are sent in a completely discreet envelope so that it

would be impossible to know the contents inside.

Nor will you find any distinct references to the product on the

outside of the packet which would reveal its contents. "

Translation: This company calls this the Guarantee and Privacy

statement, but the product is not guaranteed, only your privacy.

* Is Tat B Gone guaranteed?

" TBG has been proven to be highly effective. Our studies show

that over 95% of TBG users achieve SATISFYING RESULTS, but some

situations require a longer treatment period. Because of this and

contamination concerns (we cannot ensure the integrity of product

that has out from our control) we are unable to accept returns or

offer an unconditional guarantee. We know of no serious medical

treatment, prescription, or even laser treatment that offers an

unconditional guarantee. "

Translation: They don't guarantee their product because you

might contaminate it...?

* Ingrediants Guaranteed

" Tattoo-off delivers satisfying results, no matter the color,

type and amount of ink used to create your tattoo. The Most

Researched and Advanced Tattoo Removal Formula Available. No

Chinese Ingredients "

Translation: Their guarantee is No Chinese Ingredients...that's

it?

Tattoo Removal Creams - Do They Really Work?

The unfortunate answer to that question is: No, not yet. It's

possible that one day an effective tattoo removal cream will be

developed. We will know that day has arrived when a company has

enough confidence in their product to offer a reasonable money

back guarantee.

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Adell Cogar is a freelance writer with a special interest in

tattoos and tattoo removal methods. Fascinated with tattoos at

an early age, Adell received her first tattoo at 18 and has

added many more over the past few years. A " redo " on a particular

tattoo that she did not like got her involved with several tattoo

removal methods. Those who know her consider her an expert on the

matter. She consulted with http://www.HealthySkinAssociation.org/

for this article.