Carol Has A Question: For various personal reasons that I won’t go into here, I’ve got tattoo regret. I’ve heard commercials on the radio for some kind of cream called Wrecking Balm that’s supposed to fade tattoos. Does Wrecking Balm work?
The Brain’s Balmy Reply:
Carol, we’ve heard those same commercials but surprisingly, we haven’t been able to find out much about Wrecking Balm. Their website provides scant evidence of anything.
But we do have a theory about what this product MIGHT be.
We couldn’t find any official source that mentioned Wrecking Balm. The closest reference we could find was an article on CNN about an experimental cream for tattoo removal. But this cream is still in clinical tests so we don`t think it`s the same product.
We also found resources like Inkbusters, a company that sells a product that they claim will fade tattoos. Their active ingredient is tricholoracetic acid (or TCA) which is used in chemical skin peels. There’s another product called Tat B Gone but there’s no mention of what active ingredient they use.
After doing a little research on TCA, our theory is that Wrecking Balm is a cream based version of this ingredient (but without seeing the product`s ingredient list there`s no way to tell for sure.)
Does Wrecking Balm Work?
Well, we did find a reference from the American Academy of Dermatology that said chemical peeling can remove tattoos in a cost-effective method. But, they made no specific mention of TCA. Most dermatologists seem to recommend laser treatment, maybe because it’s more profitable for them. If we shift into paranoid mode we could make up a story that the evil Academy of Dermatologists is suppressing the truth about the existence of an easy to use tattoo removal cream much in the same way that the Air Force is suppressing the truth about existence of crashed UFO aliens. But to be honest, the Internet has more evidence for the aliens than it does for tattoo creams. Still, this reference seems to indicate the stuff may work.
The Beauty Brains Bottom Line:
Don’t get your hopes up. Most people who have commented back to us say the stuff isn’t worth it. But check with a dermatologist about your options and be sure to ask about chemical peels. It’s just possible that TCA might help. We also suggest contacting a reputable tattoo parlor for their insights on this topic. After all, they’re the experts when it comes to ink!
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Hi, I work for a chain of laser tattoo removal clinics called Dr. TATTOFF. You might have seen us on TV – we’ve been on “LA Ink” and “Dr. 90210″ a few times this year. Speaking only from personal experience, we’ve seen more than a few people come into our clinics who have used any number of tattoo removal creams, and I have yet to see a good result. In nearly all cases, there has been no fading, and in many cases the creams have caused scarring. I highly recommend speaking with a dermatologist before trying one of these creams out. There’s also plenty of information on the Dr. TATTOFF website (www.drtattoff.com), as well as our Medical Director, Dr. Will Kirby’s blog (http://rethinkyourink.blogspot.com). He’s a board certified dermatologist, an expert on tattoo removal, and he generally responds to questions and comments left on his blog within a day. Hope this helps!
-Ian
I tried the entire expensive set. face wash, toner, serum, peel, lift, day cream, eye cream, and night cream. I used them exactly as instructed by consultant. They were to harsh for my skin. My friend had the same reaction. I don’t recommend this product at all.
Actually Wrecking balm does work when people use it. Definitely not an overnight fix, still searching for that one, but it will fade away tatoos if people can stick to it and use it.
oh.. and I found the ingredients listed on the http://www.wreckingbalm.com tattoo blog
Just another resource for tattoo removal, this one from a tattoo site. Especially helpful is their info on detecting fake photoshopped tattoo fading pictures.
http://mytattooink.com/tattoo-removal
Tat B Gone worked good for me. I do not think all the people with good results write in to often.
Yeah, In my experience,it’s really useful for removal of tattoo.
The FDA does not recommend self-removal products, and none have been FDA approved.
See FDA bulletin
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048941.pdf
I have used both the chemical peels and the laser treatments. The chemical peels from Tat B Gone, all though this was painful and was gross to see the peeling it did fade some. I have a tattoo on my hand that is large and has alot of color so to see some of it come off I was pleased. I’ve also had two Q-laser treatments. This was extremely painful..to the point that I vomitted. I was amazing on the results though. Most of the black is gone and the color faded alot. It is costly and that is why I have not persued it further. I am going to try the Wrecking balm…I’m willing to try anything to get this 18 year old thing off my hand. Hope this info helps someone.
I used Tat B Gone for about 6 months on a butterfly tattoo I got on my hip when I was younger. I wasn’t sure if it would work but thought, what the heck. Well, I’m glad I did because it worked for me. The colors of the tattoo have really faded away and now only a dull outline of the butterfly is visible. You have to follow the routine every day as prescribed, but it works if you do.
Also, Tattoo Camo works really good to cover up a tattoo – it stays on all day and the shades they offer are great. Check out this video they made:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9OfSj4UGWM
Are you not happy with the tattoo inked on your skin? Laser treatment tattoo removal process is the best idea then. Though costly ($200 to $500 per session) to some extent, laser treatment tattoo removal does not generally harm surrounding skin and completely remove the tattoo.
I used Wrecking Balm for 6 months with negligible results. Followed the directions exactly as they were given and stuck with it till I finished my supply. Looks the same as before. Would not recommend anyone to buy this product – all you’ll get is wishful thinking.
I just saw Wrecking Balm at Walmart! I couldn’t believe it, its such a joke! Wrecking Balm will not remove your tattoo or even fade it – just temporarily lighten it up. At least at Walmart you can return anything that you buy even if its been opened. Best to stay away from WB to begin with but at least you’ll get your money back if you want to travel that road.
Hello, my name is Pam. I have a blog that is on tattoo removal creams that ranks number 1 in Google for the keyword “Tattoo Removal Cream”. I think it would be interesting to your readers. Would you like to exchange links? I could put a link to your blog on mine right away if you’re interested. I think that it would help us both get more traffic.
My blog is http://www.tattooremovalcreaminfo.com/
Tattoo Removal Creams
Let me know what you think.
Pam
I got a tattoo when I was 18 and several years ago I started with laser treatment to get it removed. I really hated the tattoo but laser was too painful and too slow. I don’t know how anybody could put themselves through it! A year and half ago I decided to try a one of those tattoo removal creams. I went with Tat B Gone becuase they are the oldest one out there. It took a year of nearly daily application but no more tattoo for me. It faded it out nearly completely, even the green which I had been told is the most difficult. Definitely an awesome product! Two thumbs up!
I have personally tried wrecking balm after getting a tattoo, just to see if it helped to get it off. I used it for weeks, but there was no effect, not even a little irritation. Then I switched to laser tattoo removal, and that really worked.
Wrecking Balm does work, iv been using it for about two weeks and my crappy looking tattoo has faded significantly and the process really isnt that painful, as long as you follow the directions. But I dont use the concealer that comes in the package (even though its some great stuff, I wish covergirl would come out with something that covered that well). I purchased it at Walmart for $50. In the box you get, a vibrating hand machine with a piece covered in what looks to be whats used for nail file paper, a concealer stick, a tube of exfoliator, a tube of lotion and the directions. You pretty much sand over your tattoo with the vibrating thing with the exfoliator on there for 45 seconds, clean it then apply the lotion…3 times a week. And that is pretty much it, after the first use the area treated will be a little sore but after that its fine when you use it. Over the tattoo will dry up and some skin will come off bit by bit until eventually the tattoo is gone. BUT I will tell you this, if you start this treatment and do it several times, you must follow through or you are gonna have one even more messed up looking tattoo. (i guess thats what the concealer is for lol) I love this preoduct! It gets 5 stars from me!
Ughhh , I have a tat I wana remove. I recently ordered wrecking balm, I really hope this works. And how much does the butter cover ? The whole thing ?
I am pretty cynical that any over-the-counter product can be expected to have any benefits for anything as permanent as a tattoo. If you take a look at how long this particular thread has been running, then you can see that over two years ago, there was little evidence by way of clinic trials to back up any claims of Wrecking Balm’s effectiveness. Their website, as of today, still says that the results of their clinical research and testing is proprietory and cannot be released for publication.
It seems likely to me that if a company can produce something that can genuinely remove tattoos, they would be rather keen to publish that evidence.
I’m almost tempted to get a tattoo myself, just so I could try to remove it…
I HAVE A BIG ASS TATTOO OF ADOLF HITLER ON MY ARM AND AM TRYING TO FIND THE BEST WAY TO REMOVE IT.OR EVEN FADE IT ENOUGH TO COVER IT UP. I AM NOT TRYING TO GO THRU TRIAL AND ERROR AND HAVE A FUCKED UP HALF FADED TATTOO
Wrecking Balm works so fast!!! I Love It!!!
I just started using wrecking balm today and already noticed that it was pulling ink to the surface and that the cream was soaking in nicely after using the exfoliating stuff. I think this stuff works for real..
-Using wrecking balm on the back of my hand my wrist and finger.
I have a pheonix on my shoulder blade that i got almost a year ago and i already want to get rid of it; i’ve read very mixed reviews about the tat creams and i’m doubting that it’ll get rid of my tattoo because it’s still “new” and that they even work. i am considering laser treatments, since that seems to be the only way out…but if there is a great cream out there that works for colors, then i’m in
Now the competition comes down to Wrecking Balm, drtattoff, and tatbgone. So far I think drtattoff has the edge when it comes to Tattoo Removal search results.