Trichloroacetic Acid Tattoo Removal: Advantage, Side-effects and Risks

Trichloroacetic acid or TCA is basically a peeling agent. When it is applied to the tattooed skin, it will cause an inflammation on the surface that eventually will peel and shed away. This process breaks apart the ink pigments on your skin and pushes it to the surface. This will naturally be followed by new skin growth. This makes the tattoo ink to fade away.

There are factors that will influence the amount of time it would take to remove the tattoos. These factors make it hard to set a viable time of treatment. TCA is applied every four to six weeks. Skin peeling doesn’t start till approximately two to three weeks after the application.

Factors to you would need to consider before using trichloroacetic acid:

• Size of tattoo
• Age of tattoo
• Manner of application of tattoo
• Type of ink used
• Skin color

Advantages of Using TCA

Trichloroacetic acid tattoo removal can be done in the comfort of your own home. This avoids multiple costly doctors’ visits. This chemical can be purchased in tattoo shops and is available on the Internet. It is said to be less expensive than laser tattoo removal. TCA removal is also much less painful than other invasive methods. By and large, results have been positive with a high success rate.

Side Effects of Using Trichloroacetic Acid

The side effects of the treatment are the main concerns among those who may require tattoo removal. Every person responds to individual chemicals differently, so it’s tough to specify any type of reaction.

Common side effects:

• Burning sensation on tattoo area
• Redness and swelling
• Excessive peeling
• Skin depigmentation or bleaching effect
• Brown discoloration of the skin caused by over exposure to the sun
• Can cause flare up of cold sores

Trichloroacetic acid tattoo removal can be an ideal option for those in need of a less expensive method of tattoo removal. It is widely used as a tattoo removal method and is regarded as safe by the FDA for cosmetic applications. As with any product, safety only comes with proper use and the best after care. This method can also be incorporated with laser treatment to accelerate healing time and reduce the chances of scarring. As mentioned, it can be available for home use, which can’t be said of most tattoo removal methods.