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Originating as rites of passage, religious symbols and marks of status many centuries ago, and used by many ancient cultures, tattoos have become a mostly voluntary, recreational interest over time. A lucrative market has developed in recent years due to the increased demand for tattoo removal resources in light of the rapid increase in tattoo popularity.

Surgical procedures for the removal of tattoos, including laser therapy and Intense Pulsed Light treatment, among others, were popular in recent years but have given way to the newest tattoo removal phenomenon, do-it-yourself, at home removal using creams. The tattoo removal balm market is currently dominated by Wrecking Balm, TatBGone and Tattoo Erase, three of many products currently available. While tattoo removal balms contain an array of primary active ingredients, hydroquinone has been the dominant chemical in the at-home tattoo removal market. The chemical works by decreasing melanin production in the skin, and is commonly used cosmetically for skin bleaching, mainly for the reduction of freckles and age spots. Tattoo removal balms with hydroquinone usually contain about a two percent concentration of the controversial chemical. The FDA proposed a possible ban on hydroquinone in the United States in 2006, and it has been banned in several counties worldwide due to the suspicion that it may have a pose a slight cancer risk.

Instructions on how to use the products vary, requiring different frequency and lengths of use, as well as different methods of application. Tattoo removal balm manufacturers promise a gradual reduction in the appearance of unwanted body art with very little or no pain. Product reviews for the most popular removal products generally report that consumers had varied results, but experienced minor stinging at worst when the products were used as directed.

The current king of creams, Doc Wilson’s Wrecking Balm No. 3, incorporates a medical dermal device into the process, taking at-home tattoo removal one step further. The device was recently approved by the FDA as safe to use in the home without medical supervision. Wrecking Balm’s three-step-process works by breaking down the skin injected with ink and taking advantage of the natural skin regeneration and healing process. Phyllanthus emblica fruit, sometimes referred to as Indian Gooseberry, and salicylic acid are the active ingredients in the tattoo removal balm.

Consumers should be prepared to do their homework when shopping for tattoo removal balm, as products vary wildly in price from under $100 to in excess of $300. Most products can be purchased online or by phone.

Jeff Flincks writes about tattoo removal balm and wrecking balm tattoo removal.