Everyone always asks about tattoo removal creams.  So, I thought I would start a new topic on it:

Tattoo removal cream: Does it work?

Tattoo removal creams are widely available online. But there's no evidence that they work. At best, tattoo removal cream may fade or lighten a tattoo. The tattoo will remain visible, however, and skin irritation and other reactions are possible. Remember, tattoos are meant to be permanent. Because the ink is placed beneath the top layer of skin, complete removal of a tattoo is difficult.

Lawrence Gibson, M.D.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER).
www.mayoclinic.com

...and for those that are interested.  Here is the ingredient list of Wrecking Balm:

Suffusion Gel
Ingredients:
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil
Eugenica Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Oil
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
Silica
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Salicylic Acid
Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder

Demo-Brasion Spray
Ingredients:
Propylene Glycol
SD Alcohol 40-B
Salicylic Acid
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil

HydraVescent Cream
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua)
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Mineral Oil
Cetearyl Alcohol
Glyceryl Stearate SE
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
Isopropyl Myristate
Ceteareth-20
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)
Dimethicone
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
Polysorbate 20
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Propylene Glycol
DMDM Hydantoin
Methylparaben
Propylparaben

Branding Butter Concealer
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua)
Titanium Dioxide
Iron Oxides
Talc
Dihydroxyacetone
Petrolatum
Isopropyl Myristate
Glycerin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Cetearyl Alcohol
Glyceryl Stearate SE
Ceteareth-20
Dimethicone
Mineral Oil
Propylene Glycol
Tocopheryl Acetate
DMDM Hydantoin
Methylparaben
Propylparaben



Edited by allenfalkner - September/23/2008 at 8:17pm

Yes I considered using myself as a guinea pig, but after doing a bit of research and getting my hands on the product I no longer felt it was worthwhile.  

BTW here are the instructions:
(I am paraphrasing as to not violate any copyright laws)

The first step involves buffing the skin with Suffusion Gel and a device called the DemoMatic with Erosion Head, 3 times a week.
(The device is basically a vibrator with a sandpaper end attachment)

The second step is to spray the area with the Demo-Brasion spray.  After 90 seconds the area is rinsed.

The third step is to apply the HydraVescent Cream.

...and lastly the fourth and final step is to apply the Branding Butter Concealer to hide your tattoo.

Essentially the process involves mechanically buffing off layers of skin and using Salicylic Acid to help further exfoliate the deeper tissue. 

From Wikipedia:
Salicylic Acid - Also known as 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, one of several beta hydroxy acids (compare to AHA), salicylic acid is a key ingredient in many skin-care products for the treatment of acne, psoriasis, calluses, corns, keratosis pilaris, and warts. It works by causing the cells of the epidermis to shed more readily, preventing pores from clogging up, and allowing room for new cell growth.

The 2 main advantages that laser removal has over these topical products are:
1) Laser energy can penetrate deeper into the dermis to breakup the ink that dermabrasion/acidic peals cannot reach.
2) The process of laser removal involves fracturing the ink without damaging the surface the skin.

Because of these two facts, laser tattoo removal is more effective and has less of a potential to scar the area.

Nice to have serious people like Allen Falkner being active on Bodymod :o)