Does wrecking balm tattoo removal work for eyebrows? Does it contain TCA (trichloroacetic acid) or hydroquinone? Here is the eyebrow tattoo removal information you need that other websites don’t offer because they sell or promote tattoo removal products like Doc Wilson’s Wrecking Balm. We Don’t sell or promote tattoo removal cream, we just offer the facts and let you decide.
How Does Wrecking Balm Tattoo Removal Work?
For about $199 this is what you get with the 72-application system:
- a “DemoMatic” device which includes batteries.
- six “Erosion” heads (like sanders)
- a 12 ounce bottle “Suffusion” gel
- 6 ounces of cream called “Hydravescent”
- about 17 grams of “Branding Butter”
Let’s take a closer look: The package contains a DemoMatic tool that’s powered by batteries, which is in fact a piece of equipment that allows a person to perform DIY dermabrasion on the tattooed area with the help of the Erosion heads. What is dermabrasion? It’s a process whereby the skin is scrapped or sanded to abrasively remove the TOP layer of skin. It’s considered a surgical technique that’s normally conducted in a controlled aesthetic, aseptic, medical environment and requires anesthesia and medical supervision. Why? Because the procedure removes the upper layer of skin, leaving the flesh sore, raw, red and open, also prone to infection until the skin has a chance to regenerate itself and heal completely, which can take weeks or months.
Doc Wilson’s product comes with the abrasion tools, the Dermomatic, so a person can perform this delicate procedure at home. The kit also includes a gel and some cream which contains skin lighteners or ingredients that have the potential to fade pigment as well as a variety of other moisturizing elements that are found in common exfoliating and moisturizing skincare products.
A Look at Wrecking Balm Ingredients
It contains salicylic acid which is a beta hydroxy acid that’s often used to treat acute cases of acne and even to eliminate warts. It’s main action consists of forcing the epidermis to shed at a faster rate than normal wile keeping pores open and unclogged. If we consider the concept of putting salicylic acid into skin that is open, raw and red after an abrasive sanding treatment, it’s not difficult to imagine that acid will cause even further rawness, redness and irritation. Salicylic acid, even when used on unbroken skin, is known to sometimes cause hyperpigmentation, which is one reason that some users of the Doc William’s balm system find their skin becomes extremely irritated, in some cases getting infected and requiring a long time to heal.
The other ingredient in this tattoo removal cream is Tocopheryl Acetate, which is also referred to as vitamin E acetate, a somewhat controversial ingredient that some claim to be miraculous and others believe causes cancer (although nowadays cancer causing products abound), however it’s a very common additive to skin care products, acting as UV protector and a moisturizer which is easily absorbed by the skin.
From what we can deduce, the famed wrecking balm tattoo removal cream does not contain TCA (trichloroacetic acid) or hydroquinone (at least not in qualities that require discussing), although there is a ton of contradictory information stating that it contains the over-the-counter allowable minimum of 1% hydroquinone, however it’s not listed as an ingredient anywhere on product or official ingredient information (unless it’s hidden by a botanical name we don’t recognize).
That said, the formulas contain a long list of skin pigment lighteners listed under their natural-sounding Latin names, like Phyllanthus Emblica fruit, also called Indian gooseberry, which is used to lighten the epidermis.
Does It Actually Fade A Tattoo?
We keep seeing the word EPIDERMIS in all the official information about the afore mentioned pigment and ink removal or fading system, so just to clarify what that is, it’s the top layer of skin. The DERMIS, or second layer, is in fact where most professional tattoos are implanted, even eyebrow tattooing will deposit pigment in the dermis, not only the epidermis, and therefore scraping abrasively and lightening the upper layer may have little effect on tattoos professionally done, in other words on all none-DIY tattoos. And it’s almost unheard-of for a woman to self tattoo her eyebrows.
Without discussing harmful ingredients in creams, or considering the dangers of DIY facial dermabrasion, we must point out that the effectiveness of the tattoo removal system is doubtful if only the epidermis is affected by the cream and abrasion when most, if not ALL, eyebrow tattoos are in the deeper layer of skin – the epidermis. Also, hair follicles of the area may be damaged by repeated abrasion, and the redness and openness of the sanding techniques could cause scaring and needless hair loss to the naturally delicate and sensitive eyebrow region.
What about the official Doc Wilson’s website that shows tattoo removal before and after pictures that are really impressive?
After much investigation and looking at a broad range of reviews and reports by those who have used the product, wrecking balm can help to fade HOMEMADE tattoos that have certain ink colors and those that may not have penetrated the lower layers of the skin, or those that are bright and may fade through lightening techniques (although it’s doubtful they will disappear entirely).
It’s unreasonable to compare a massive bright green splotch of a tattoo, or a big red rose, a large red and blue anchor or a dragon on someone’s arm or back, to the delicate pigment implantation that’s used in the brow area with machines that do in fact penetrate the epidermis.
Do we recommend the wrecking balm tattoo removal system for eyebrow tattoo fading?
No. Although the list of wrecking balm ingredients isn’t so hideously dangerous on its own, the abrasion techniques promoted by the company, and mixed with lightening agents, pore opening and skin exfoliating ingredients could damage the area without actually doing any real good. Since the product costs about $150 to $199, it seems like a poor investment at best and a potentially harmful, one at worst.
Very Important Note: The official website for the balm does not recommend their product for eyebrows. In their own words: “not recommended for fading tattoo’s covering facial or genital areas.”
What do we recommend as tattoo removal options?
Tattoo laser treatment procedures done by a certified dermatologist or under the care of a licensed plastic surgeon, or technician, trained in using Q-Switched laser technology, is the only genuine option for effective removal of unwanted permanent eyebrow makeup. Even then, a professional must analyze the specific pigments that were used and determine the effectiveness of the laser procedures in each individual case.
Stay away from DIY TCA removal systems which burn the skin. Do not be tempted to use abrasive methods, and anything that uses hydroquinone or lightening products that only affect the upper layer of skin but can leave scaring. If you really believe that there is a cream or DIY potion that is effective, then it only seems logical that medical professionals and pharmaceutical/cosmetic companies would be jumping on the bandwagon. Most of the medical/pharmaceutical industry isn’t averse to earning money. But instead of endorsing these creams and miracle tattoo removal systems, and offering a professional version of these products, most professionals are investing in research to improve laser techniques, in creating better ways to break down pigments into teeny particles, without breaking the skin, so the body can naturally flush the residue out of the system over a period of time. Recently, the best laser procedures have been proven to offer effective micropigmentation removal, although it is, admittedly, an expensive and time consuming process.
For more information on Eyebrow Tattoo Removal and its consequences, please consult related posts. We offer guides for those who are interested in Facial Hair Removal, Eyebrow Waxing techniques, and for those who would like to find out more information concerning Permanent Makeup Micropigmentation Cosmetic Tattooing, we explain the procedures as well as the aftercare. We also suggest Eye Makeup Tips and where to find good Eyebrow Pencil products as well as offer concrete recommendations on how to get Perfect Eyebrows using professionally designed stencils. With or without permanent makeup, we show you how to look your best!
We welcome comments and suggestions on any micropigmentation and cosmetic tattoo related topics that may be of interest to you or of which you may have professional expertise or personal experience that may benefit other readers.