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Wrecking Balm for tattoo removal

  • Tuesday July 25, 2006 in: Body Art Tag(s):

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    It is not something that would give you a migraine, but it is indeed quite a problem when tattoos start to lose their appeal. In fact, if those hearts, flowers, snakes or whatever marks you had your tattoo artist painted on your body start to annoy rather than amuse, you might as well start thinking of ways on how to get rid of them.

    After enduring the painful process of getting those now regrettable marks from a licensed tattoo artist, you are now finding ways to get rid of these body marks and hope that you don't have to go through a painful (again?) solution to address the dilemma.

    Good thing there is indeed a painless way to tattoo removal. Rank My Tattoos provides an article that talks about a wonder cream that can successfully remove tattoos within a couple of weeks. Here is what the article has to say:

    The makers of Wrecking Balm boast of their magical product: a cream that causes your tattoo to fade away. The process requires a system of physical tissue deconstruction along with the cream as well as botanical chemical peels.

    However, the main factors one must consider before jumping on the bandwagon are the ink density, depth, surface size, and color of the tattoo. In order to be successful with the cream, you must use it consistently for weeks to get any type of results. After a few weeks, your body's ability to renew surface cells becomes stronger and the skin will be regenerated, causing the tattoo to fade.

    Now that's absolutely a painless method to fade those tattoos away. If your tattoos are qualified for removal based on the criteria given, then you are on your way to freedom from those now unsightly marks. And with the cost of $150 and a money-back guarantee, it's absolutely pain-free and worry-free. If this isn't the best deal ever, I don't know what else to call this.

    • Tattoo Removal

    Although I really wish there were an easier way, I have tried the laser treatment. It did work very well but as mentioned is pricy. Lesson learned, make sure you tattoo something you really like in a spot that is going to work for you. Whatever you do, NEVER get tattoos on your breast or chest. Children happen!! This is not good. My $25 tattoo at 18 will now cost me $2000 at 32 to remove.

    Anonymous at 11:17pm on Feb 27, 2007
    Is this really a scam?

    So this product does not really fulfill its promises?

    George Lindemann at 6:54am on Mar 3, 2007
    TAT CREAM

    Does anyone know if the laser works on afro-amer skin tones?

    Foojoy at 1:42am on Mar 4, 2007
    Wrecking Balm....

    I had heard the Wrecking Balm ad on the radio on Friday, and I was curious, so I investigated on the Web. I was very doubtful, as there are other similiar systems on the market under different names.

    I removed part of one tattoo with a tattoo machine and a mixture of a sterile saline solution and Volumn 40 Hydrogen Peroxide...(used for bleaching hair).

    I bought tattoo equipment and sterile needles, as well as a book on how to tattoo from Spaulding and Rogers. They sell quality tattoo equipment via the web or mail order. Great people and the machines are beautiful and work well.

    I went in fairly deep with a 6 flat shader, I spaced the needle out about .080" and worked the entire area with several passes back and forth, at a 45 degree angle. The tattoo (my ex wife's name) scabbed up with a very thick scab, and it cracked and peeled off. I would say that about 95% of the ink was gone, and there was a little scarring that I attribute to the scab coming off a little bit before it would come off on it's own.

    I bought on EBay a Tat B Gone Ink kit, and tried it on another small tattoo...(My name, Mark). I did this 30 days ago, most of the ink is gone, It will need another treatment or two. And to be perfectly honest, I think the home made sterile mixture of salt and peroxide worked quicker. But it might be due to different amounts of ink and the depth of the ink, as they were done by two different artists. Also my ex's name was done in 93, and then redone in 2001 in just plain black ink. So there is a lot of ink in the skin.

    I'm going to give Tat Be Gone Ink another try in a couple of weeks when all the scabbing is gone, and also try another small tattoo with the saline and peroxide solution.

    I've got a lot of tats that I am proud of, all professionally done, and I have a lot of time and money in them. And best advice I can give is to not get names, other than your name or your children's names, or your parent's names.

    Tattoos are permanent, and despite Wedding Vows, Love isn't.

    There is another old school method of removing tattos, that involves Silver Nitrate, which is a mild caustic. It used to be put in the eyes of newborns under State Law here in Michigan, to prevent posible blindness from syphillis. I found this years ago in a very old book in a school library. But I have no idea of the name of that book. It had information in it on how to do anything, including removing tattoos. It involved tattooing with silver nitrate with a tattoo machine, and when the skin turned black, to rub off the skin with a wire brush.

    It sounds very much like the bleaching and exfoliating system of Wrecking Balm to me.

    Personally, I'd like to avoid the wire brush.

    Salibrasion does work, so does scraping the tattoo's top layer of skin off. I did this by accident to a small tattoo on the inside of my ankle when I dropped a rusty car rear end and it scraped my ankle. I put a layer of Neosporin ointment on it and a piece of sterile gauze, and taped it on. The next day I removed the gauze and the tattoo came off with it, leaving a small part of it in the skin. (If this happens, never use gauze, use a Telfa pad) I had a mild infection, and that also caused the ink to come out of my skin. This was on a tattoo that was done 5 years before. I had removed a lot of the ink, and then waited another 4 years before I had a cover up done. Your skin has to be healed and the scar tissue isn't the easiest thing to get ink into (and have it stay).

    I am not a professional tattooist, but I do know sterile techniques, having learned from my kid sister who is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

    I had fine results, but I must warn you that your methods may vary from mine. I found it easier to buy tattoo equipment than to pay a lot of money to have mine zapped with a laser. Even laser isn't 100% effective. Different collored inks react differently. Green is a hard one to remove. Black India Ink used in home made tattoos comes out very easy. Some scarring is possible, and loss of skin pigment also happens, especialy if you have a darker skin tone. (A negro friend of mine showed me some removal she had done on her breasts with laser.)

    Anonymous at 5:32am on Mar 5, 2007
    Tattoos and removals

    I have 7 tatts, one is a cover up that turned out quite nicely. the others were done by "so called artists" they destroyed my skin..however, i did want the tattoo, so i have found cover ups that a good reputible place will be doing. I figure i wanted the tattoo originally, it looked aweful so get it done to look the way i wanted.
    but tattoos are something to not jump into..you have them for life, a tattoo is a colored scar, and not many scars ever leave.
    good luck to those who want to rid them and congrats to the ones that have and want them.
    i find people with tattoos seem to talk to more people than ones with out. not sure why. but just my opinion.

    MJ at 6:39pm on Mar 5, 2007
    THANKS EVERYONE

    I work in a tattoo shop and after listening to the commerical I figured I would give Wrecking Balm a call. I introduced myself and told the rep that I would like a FREE SAMPLE of the product to try out with the hopes of liking it enough to order bulk and sell at the shop. NOPE. Well in doing business you would think that if you are so sure of your product this is the perfect opp. to get it out there in the public. Everyone is looking for a cheaper easier way to remove those drunkin party lemme get your name on my butt tattoos. The site provided NO information as to how it really works (in a scientific chemical way) other than it works just try. I'm glad I found this site and got a chance to read everyone's expierences. I'm sorry there are so many haters when it comes to tattoos. I guess working in a shop you get to meet people and see that it's a slim percentage of people who get them to be trendy. Most everyone I talk to has some reason for theirs with real meaning.
    Good Luck to everyone trying to remove their unwanted tats.
    PS I really like the belt sander idea.

    Anonymous at 4:07am on Mar 6, 2007
    Laser vs tongue depressor

    I used laser to remove a tattoo off my arm. 31 treatments later it is still there. Faded but still there. I was supposedly a good candidate -black ink, light skin. The docs told me 8-10 treatments but after 31 treatments there's the ink and I've got some scarring and I have become bored by the whole process. It's a long journey and you can't be assured you'll get your original arm back. Laser treatment does not hurt enough not to do it but the price can't sting like nothing else so be prepared to pay around $300 a treatment. Babies can always use a topical numbing cream (I did) if they fear the zap or ask for an injection (but that hurts more than the 1 minute zapping). But take it from me - there is NO EASY or GUARRENTEED way to get rid of your tats. So don't be stupid and refrain from putting that boyfriend's name on your neck. It is likely to be with you for the rest of you life but he won't.

    Anonymous at 9:31pm on Mar 6, 2007
    laser vs. wrecking balm

    All you people who say laser doesn't hurt are BIG LIARS. It hurts like an SOB. I have had 6 treatments and even though they work, I am tired of paying $500 a pop to have pain inflicted on myself. My wrecking balm package is due to show up any day now. I will let you know if it works. All I have left is a lot of green. The laser got rid of most of the rest.

    Anonymous at 2:07pm on Mar 7, 2007
    Hydroquinone and exfoliating really works

    I took the advice of the person who said that buying the stuff over the counter was effective as wrecking baulm. I got Porcelana 2% hydroquinone(6.99) and medicated apricot srcub(2.99) from CVS and the second day I could see the tattoo fading. I am on the 6th day and I can finally see the freckles under my tattoo. I apply it twice a day and on the third day I exfoliate. I have had this tattoo for 21 years. I have been trying to get this thing to fade for years, going out in sun etc... finally thanks to the person who told me about the ingredients in wrecking baulm....now I am on my way to getting rid of this one. I will keep everyone posted on my outcome. Feel free to email me...I am trying to keep up with pictures of it.

    Melissa

    Melissa at 10:52pm on Mar 7, 2007
    To those who just need cover ups for work..

    I understand that people often dislike tattoos that they get. I have one myself that I don't like but, you know what, I did it, I need to keep it no matter how much I don't like it. I have 11 of them and all of them mean something different to me. As far as the people who have said "I can't have them exposed at work" There is an easier solution if you are willing to take it. When I got married I was reading the Bridal Magazines, in the back of them they sell this "tattoo cover up" All it is, is make-up like foundation that you put over your tattoo and it will blend it in with your skin. If I were going somewhere and didn't want them to be noticed, I would opt for that instead of paying $1000's of dollars to have them removed. It is your choice though. I wish everyone luck. Tattoos are not something to be taken lightly. If you can't picture yourself at 90 with it, don't get it. =)

    CW at 4:41am on Mar 9, 2007
    Salt and lemon

    Ok everyone! I am doing it! I am going to be my own guiney pig. I just took a dish and mixed regular table salt and lemon juice in them. I then took one of my hubbies insulin syringes and I injected part of my tattoo with this mixture. The needle does not hurt. The burn of the mixture well let's say wow...but bery bearable. I took pictures before and right after I injected myself. If anyone wants to see results you can email me. If your in the health profession and get ppd's, That's how I injected myself. I made a bubble under my skin with mixture and then went to another area and injected again. I will let you all know the results of this method. My fingers are crossed that this works.

    Melissa

    Melissa at 6:51pm on Mar 13, 2007
    wrecking balm

    Thanks to everyone who has posted their honest opinion on this stuff. You all have helped me save money and my time. Everyone in Cali has a tatt, I have a few myself and I don't want to learn the hard way anymore. I'm taking the advise everyone has given and i am going to have it removed professionelly!!!( does anyone know of someone good in the San Diego area?) I suggest everyone be advised this sounds, "To good to be true" so it probably is.

    v.m. of california at 7:22pm on Mar 14, 2007
    Tattoo cover-up

    You can also try a cover up and I don't mean with another tattoo. Because I never saw myself working in a professional field when I was 21 and thought tattoos would be a good idea, I now have to cover them up. I get a leg and body makeup from Macy's. If you wear dress shirts then make sure you get the setting powder so the makeup doesn't get on your sleeves. It does a good job covering up but will not exactly match your skin tone. They will match it as close as possible. In an office setting (flourescent lighting) you can't really tell it's make up. In natural light you can.

    Anonymous at 11:48pm on Mar 14, 2007
    Wrecking Balm trial period over for me

    The good: They are going to give me my refund as promised.

    The bad: The refund may take 30-60 days to receive.

    This stuff doesn't work at all. The 8 ball story they sell is bull. I had the perfect tattoo for removal and it still didn't work. As I mentioned, I've had multiple laser treatments and only have the blue left of a small 19 year old tattoo.

    So, I call them and they want to give me their "new" system which is some type of "FDA approved" dermabrasion thing that you only need to use 3 days a week. I found it funny they already have something new if the cream was so awesome. I thought about trying the new deal, but I asked if it was also guaranteed and they said no. They were going to swap me products for free. Sorry, but fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Their "FDA approval" could mean anything --- it doesn't mean it's FDA approved for tatto removal necessarily, or that the FDA gave them an indication for removal.

    After I turned down the alleged new and improved system they told me I could keep the cream and get a 50% refund or send it all back for 100%. So, if you like it and want to keep it, I recommend you call them and say you want to send it back so you can get half off the price.

    A couple of more things. One, when I originally bought it the sales rep on the phone tried to pressure me into some kind of "Savings Club" deal. I said no and he still signed me up for it. I sent the Club company a letter and told them I was not joining. Two, I was at my dermatologist office for something non-related to my tattoo and brought Wrecking Balm with me just to ask him about it. He said there's no way it would remove my tattoo and that I was smarter than that :-0.

    Bottom line: This company is pulling a scam and I'm disappointed in SIRIUS for allowing them to advertise on their shows. Sure, the company gives you a refund, but I'm sure thousands of customers sucker for the "new and improved" method or get talked out of their refunds.

    Balm Buyer in AL at 1:53am on Mar 15, 2007
    Thanks for all the good reading

    I consider myself really good at picking up "Red Flags" and the Sirius commercial contained quite a few!

    *No mention of price.

    *No mention of web site i.e. any before and after pictures.

    *Too good to be true statements. Most products do say "results may vary" this one was "IT WORKS"

    I have a tattoo on my ring finger that is faded and older. I may just use the advice I found here and go to the local drug store.

    Thanks again for all your comments.

    Peace

    se7en at 5:48pm on Mar 21, 2007
    thanks

    thanks everyone for this site, it really help in my decision of not buying the creme. its hard to find out things about new products when everyone i know, has never heard of it. thanks so much. you all saved me money and regret.

    girl from michigan at 11:36pm on Mar 21, 2007
    ummmm

    "salt is used by professionals to remove tatoos but it is in combination with a needle, just like receiving one. so how did it work for you? also was it a home made tatoo?"

    theres no salt on the tattoo needle, if there was you went to the wrong place. i myself am a piercer. i have worked with many tattoo artists some ok some good. the wrecking balm company is not supported by the fda. if they where there would be commercials and other forms of advertising. also people need to understand the body varies from person to person. and its strange how there is only ONE before and after picture on the website. and even the before one you can tell was done with a homemade gun and sub par ink

    also dont go to your uncle jims basement because he has a tattoo gun. first rule allways go to a shop, plain and simple there is nothing worse then people walking around with crappy tattoos because they where too lazy and stupid to get it done right. if anything it makes more work for us, because not every tattoo can be covered up in one sitting, or even at all. also your putting your body at risk. they may say they "clean" there equipment, but boiling water wont kill hiv or even hep b and c. also when you walk into a shop allways ask to see a portfolio. if the artist dont have one then leave plain and simple. allways and i mean allways check out the work they have done before hand. and by all means ask as many questions as you deem fit. there are alot of chop shops out there and there alot of people who THINK they know what they are doing. dont be stupid. if you go to the right place and think about what you want before hand then there would be no reason for these "miracle creams".

    Anonymous at 2:58am on Mar 22, 2007
    YOUR FUCKED

    like me.
    i'm fucked, like the rest.
    removing a tattoo is consistent with coming back from the dead.
    fat chance bucko.

    avant-garde retard at 12:51am on Mar 26, 2007
    Laser

    I have 2 tats both over 10 years old. I have had 10 laser treatments. Both tats have faded significantly. However, one tat has lots of aqua color. It is a really hard color to remove by laser. I have decided to try wrecking balm to try and finish them both off. I was told by the laser tech, that most likely the laser would not completely remove either of my tats completely. (Just an fyi to those interested in laser removal.) Of course the guy selling wreckingbalm said my tats should come off in 1-2 months. What the heck I will try it out... Will keep you posted.

    Ms. Jones at 9:30pm on Mar 26, 2007
    well.. i thought bout this cream too..

    but now reading all these comments and ever thing bout it.. maybe im gone to look further into lazer removal. i thought bout this cream tho simply b/c i got an exs name on my neck and his intials running down the side of my right leg. obviously this cream prolly dont work.. but of course i would expect that if you used it for 6 months or more... you would prolly get more of a result.. but maybe not. i guess i wont know now.. b.c i dont think im gone to try it.. sorry.

    Sheena at 7:25pm on Mar 29, 2007
    Skin colored ink covers tattoo

    I heard a few years ago about a dermatologist that was helping people rid themselves of their tattoos. Turned out it was with skin colored ink. They simply tatooed over the tattoo and charged several times more than a tattoo artist would. If you could find a good tattoo artist to match the color of your skin, this method would probably work great for small areas like fingers, ankles, etc.

    Anonymous at 10:14pm on Mar 30, 2007
    may help

    i have a couple of guy freinds who got out of the pen and were looking for cheap ways to get rid of their stuff. all are using some crazy method of fading them by using the tat gun but with lime/lemon juice. the first to use it had sleeves and are all now gone. cool it worked but could anyone tell me how safe this is?

    Anonymous at 11:47pm on Apr 1, 2007
    WRECKING BALM

    I JUST HEARD THE COMMERCIAL FOR WRECKING BALM ON LITE ROCK 105 INTERNET RADIO AND I JUST SEEN SOME GUY HEARD IT ON SIRIUS SATALITE RADIO, I GOT A LION KING TATTOO AND JESUS ON A CROSS ON MY ARMS, THE LION KING TATTOO FADED AND PEELED WHEN THE TATTOO GUY GAVE ME SOME "TATTOO SALVE" TO PUT ON IT AND THE CHRIST TATTOO JUST LOOKS SHITTY COMPARED TO THE PICTURE IN THE TATTOO BOOK, I WANTED TO TRY THIS WRECKING BALM STUFF BUT I THINK I'LL JUST HAVE TO GET LASER REMOVAL SURGERY FOR EM SOMEDAY, PRAY TO GOD I CAN AFFORD IT SOON, PEACE

    Kevin G at 5:23pm on Apr 6, 2007
    Oy Ve...

    well I am soooo glad I came onto this site because i read through the whole wrecking balm site and it sounded fine at first then i went to another website promoting TCA and it sounded better...THEN i saw everyone's comments on here and I am so glad I did...I would like to get rid of my tats and i will try some home remedies and if they don't work oh well...if they do then great! i like my tats, but i am thinking about the fact that i cannot see the one on my back and I am tired of hearing that it's a tramp stamp...fuck u all...I am not a tramp...but that doesn't matter, plus the one on my hip will definitely stretch when i have kids...oy...i don't regret getting them per se it's more of i chose the wrong locations for them...but thanks for all the advice guys! good luck to those who want them removed and for those who love yours, more power to ya! Hasta!

    Anonymous at 8:32pm on Apr 7, 2007
    My roomate came home telling

    My roomate came home telling me about this stuff so i looked up the website and called the number. First of all the website does not indicate pricing. Strike One. Second when i called the number i was greeted by the pushiest used car sales woman i have ever encountered. Stirke Two. I told her flat out that i was not going to flop out my credit card on the spot and buy it. She just would not quit and just kept going on and on. Mean while i could hear the room full telemarketers in the background doing the same shit. Strike Three. I summed experience as this: If a company will not flat out give you a price on their website its because they need the opportunity to to give you a sales pitch so if this product was really the wonder cream they claim don't you think the product would sell itself simply by word of mouth? Needless to say i felt like i was talking to the same A-Hole thats been calling me everyday to shampoo my fukkin carpet.

    WAR at 11:28pm on Apr 9, 2007
    wrecking balm

    I was interested in trying this for an old tatoo that's fading. After reading everyone's comments I won't waste the money. As for the looser who said women who have a lower back tatoo "tramp stamp" (I can't believe there are asses who still call it that) most women are not "easy". I work in a hospital and 80% of the nurses of all ages have tatoos and I don't know of any of them that are easy, besides most are happily married. I recently had an 87 year old women patient who within the last 6 months got her first tatoo. It looks great and she loves it. I hardly think she is easy. Thanks everyone else for your informative observations.

    Anonymous at 12:23am on Apr 10, 2007
    tat removal

    A few years ago I had a home done tat of an old boyfriends name removed buy a dermatologist who numbed it and then abraided the tat area with a grinding devise. It was painless and I have a small scar which I can live with. Best thing is it only cost $150. I must say, today I'd try one of the home done saline/lemon juice injection first. It can't be any worse then paying the crazy price for laser.

    Anonymous at 12:54am on Apr 10, 2007
    Where are all of the before and after pictures?

    I went on the wrecking balm website and was suprised to see only one before and after picture. If I am going to invest money, show me the proof that this stuff actually works! One picture of the black blob tattoo faded into almost nothing is not good enough for me. LETS SEE SOME PROOF IN THE PICS!

    Anonymous at 3:43pm on Apr 10, 2007
    Salt removal method

    I want to hear more from the person who used the salt to remove his/her tattoo. Was the tattoo done by professionals, did it have colors? I have a tattoo with mostly colors, not much black ink and am dying to get rid of it. It is 13 years old.

    Anonymous at 5:43pm on Apr 11, 2007
    wrecking balm

    I just ordered this, but upon reading all this negative critiscim, I called and cancelled. I hope I wont have a problem getting a refund, seeing as I never received it, and cancelled the same day I ordered. Looks like im gonna either get some tattoos to cover up the ones i dont like, or invest in laser removal.

    Anonymous at 10:15pm on Apr 11, 2007