Sustainability and being environmentally friendly is more important than ever before, so it’s no surprise that people are even seeking advice on how to remove a tattoo naturally. 

As a result, homemade remedies and non-invasive techniques are becoming increasingly popular. 

Laser tattoo removal is often used as a last resort after first trying every trick in the book. We are quick to make assumptions on things that we don’t know, and many people judge laser tattoo removal at face value before learning what it entails and how it works. 

But, why not make laser tattoo removal your first resort: after going for laser therapy, the tattoo is gone, so you don’t need to try any other methods. 

So, in this article, we will explore whether there are ways to remove tattoos naturally - and how laser treatment compares.

How Does Tattoo Removal Work 

To understand how tattoo removal works, you’ll need to understand what happens to your skin when you get a tattoo. 

Tattoo ink is injected into the dermal layer of the skin. This is the layer below the top layer of skin, called the epidermis. 

So, the tattoo ink is encased in the dermal layer and then further covered by the top layer of the epidermal skin. 

Therefore, tattoo removal entails: 

  • penetrating deep enough into the skin to reach the dermis layer (like a tattoo needle injects the ink); or
  • scrubbing off the top layer of skin completely to reach the dermis layer where the tattoo ink is housed. 

Different Ways of Natural Home Tattoo Removal

As laser tattoo removal is often a laser resort, there are many strategies people attempt prior. 

Here are some of the most common ones.

  • Salt and Lemon Juice Cream

This homemade tattoo removal cream lightens the skin and the unwanted tattoo, as the lemon acts as bleach. 

The coarse salt acts as an exfoliator - to scrub off layers of skin and those with tattoo ink. 

  • Aloe Vera Gel and Yoghurt Cream

There is no evidence at this point whether aloe vera has any function on the skin besides treating skin rashes, burns, and hydrating and moisturising skin. 

But for tattoo removal purposes, the thick paste should be applied to the tattooed area for 30 minutes, four times a day, to remove your tattoo naturally.

  • Table Salt Scrub

According to this at home tattoo removal method, you should apply table salt to a moist gauze sponge and sand down your skin where the tattoo is situated. You’ll have to continue doing this for at least 30 minutes.

After about a week, you should be able to peel off the upper layer of skin. 

Once this has healed, continue the process every six to eight weeks until you have peeled off enough skin layers to eliminate the tattoo pigments.

How Natural Tattoo Removal Methods Mimic Chemical Ones 

DIY tattoo removal creams mimic chemical creams, just with natural ingredients. The theory of how they are meant to aid in tattoo removal is the same. 

  • TCA is a common ingredient in many tattoo removal creams. This is a chemical peel used to remove dead skin cells to reveal the new skin underneath. This can be compared to salt in a natural tattoo removal cream.
  • Hydroquinone is another one, and this is a skin bleaching agent used to lighten areas of the skin. In this case, it’s similar to the lemon juice in a natural tattoo removal cream.

Can You Remove a Tattoo Naturally?

If you are prepared to scrub off layers and layers of skin until you have removed the tattoo, this can be a successful home tattoo removal method. Just keep in mind that you’ll also have removed a large chunk of skin and will have a scar in its place. 

When it comes to tattoo removal creams, whether natural or chemical, completely removing a tattoo is a lot less likely than just fading it. This is because it’s extremely difficult for any topical substance to penetrate the skin deep enough to reach the dermal layer where the tattoo pigments are housed.

Why Laser Removal Is the Most Effective Tattoo Removal Procedure

The main reason why people opt for home tattoo removal methods is that they are reluctant to put unnatural or chemical substances on their body.

When it comes to professional tattoo removal, laser treatment puts nothing into or on your skin whatsoever except light and air. Surely it doesn’t get any more natural than that, right?

Tattoos are permanent because the ink particles are too large for the body’s white blood cells to pick up and transport for excretion. 

Laser treatment is the process of breaking down those ink particles into small enough chunks for the white blood cells to access. Tattoo removal lasers pulse light energy into the skin to heat the ink particles so that they can expand and shatter. 

At the Tattoo Removal Institute, we make use of the Koolio Optimal Air Cooling System. This blows cool air onto the site where the laser treatment is taking place to reduce discomfort from the laser’s heat.  

Opt for Professional Tattoo Removal 

While DIY methods and natural remedies seem like a great way of successful home tattoo removal, your best bet is always to see a professional.

When trying to remove a tattoo at home, the main concern is that you have no help or access to a trained medical professional should something go wrong.

At the Tattoo Removal Institute, we boast a team of experienced, certified laser tattoo removal technicians. With a large focus on constant education and upskilling, great care is instilled into treatment techniques.

We consider each patient as an individual and care for the specific needs of each person. Initial consultations are completely free and require no obligation, but allow our technicians to assess your situation and tailor your laser tattoo removal journey and process appropriately. 

Combined with ongoing education and high ethical standards, extensive training makes us the top-rated tattoo removal practice in Australia.

Key Takeaways

Natural home tattoo removal methods can result in either one of two things:

  • prolonged pain, risk of infection, skin damage and scarring, or
  • absolutely nothing at all.

Laser tattoo removal performed by a professional, on the other hand, can completely remove unwanted tattoos. Your technician will provide you with aftercare instructions, and if you do them diligently, the entire tattoo removal process will be efficient and successful.

Laser removal is proven to be the most effective method to remove a tattoo. And the Tattoo Removal Institute is proven to be Australia’s favourite place to do so.

Keep the salt and lemon for tequila, and contact us to book your first consultation today.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. Please check with a physician if you have health questions or concerns about interactions or go to the TGA for a comprehensive list of TGA warnings. Although we attempt to provide accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee is made to that effect.