There are three differences between a tattoo removal cream and TCA Removal:

1. Pain

2. The risk of side effects and complications

3. How they work

1. Pain

• A tattoo removal cream does not cause pain, because the ingredients do not damage or break the skin.

• TCA (Trichloracetic Acid) is an acid skin peeler designed to be used on wrinkles and acne scars. Obviously, peeling layers of skin hurts. It is so painful that dermatologists use pain medication during TCA skin peels for acne or wrinkles.

2. Risk of Side Effects and Complications

• A temporary, minor complication from using a tattoo removal cream is that at first, the tattoo appears brighter. This doesn’t last long. It shows the cream is working. It is working in tandem with light exfoliation to bring ink to the surface, where it can be naturally shed. An effective tattoo removal cream uses ingredients proven safe and effective in other skin lightening treatments for moles, freckles and skin discoloration.

• One side effect of TCA removal is scarring. The peeling away of layers of skin with this acid damages the fragile epidermis. As skin heals, it will always scar.

• Another complication occurs when using TCA around the eyes, mouth, or lips. Even the websites selling TCA removal products clearly warn not to use them near facial openings.

What medical experts say about TCA

“Trichloroacetic acid may cause severe burns and is highly irritating to the eyes and skin. It is a corrosive irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Trichloroacetic acid is classified as a poison by subcutaneous (under the skin) route.” Source: Duke Medical School

3. How they Work

• A tattoo removal cream brings to the surface unwanted ink, allowing the body to shed the colored cells. Often a little light rubbing with a special sponge encourages new skin cell growth. Over time the inked layers of skin get closer to the skin’s surface and eventually appear faded or erased depending on the depth of the colors and the size of the tattoo.

• TCA Removal works by burning off top layers of a tattoo. Dermatologists avoid TCA for tattoo removal because patients are not satisfied with the results. Tattoo artists shoot ink deep into layers of the skin. Chemically peeling the top layers might lightly fade a tattoo, but it can’t get at the deep ink pigment of a tattoo. And remember, TCA can be poisonous if introduced under the skin.

The Warning About TCA Removal and People of Color

This warning is absolute. The marketers of TCA tattoo removal products clearly state they can be used ONLY on Caucasian skin. They will cause negative results on black, brown and Asian skin tones.

Other Considerations

• If the tattoo is on a sensitive or private area, peeling and pain from TCA removal would not be advised.

• Tattoo removal cream requires using a lot of the product over a significant period of time. It brings about a slow, steady fading of ink without pain and you will use a lot of it.

In summary, the primary differences between tattoo removal cream and TCA removal are safety and effectiveness.

If you’ve had blackheads, you know how unsightly they can be. They’re ugly, dirty looking, and they seem to just come from nowhere and not go away, no matter how much we try to make them. So when it comes to how to remove blackheads, can we really do it and not scar? And can we get rid of acne once and for all, so that we never have to worry about them again?

If it seems impossible that you can get rid of acne, including blackheads, think again. Some products that are on the market right now are very effective come in fact, when it comes to how to remove blackheads. These products exfoliate and contain benzoyl peroxide, which is very effective at both getting rid of and keeping the blackheads at bay. So they’ll not only remove your blackheads, they’ll also keep them from coming back — and they won’t make you scar, either. If you’ve got more problems with acne besides just blackheads, these treatments are also pretty effective.

Some of these treatments are pretty caustic, though, so be careful. If you have particularly sensitive skin, you’ll want to know how to remove blackheads while protecting sensitive skin at the same time. Benzoyl peroxide may be too harsh for your skin, and if so, use a product that contains salicylic acid instead. This type of product will clear your skin, exfoliate, and keep acne away in a much gentler fashion than those with benzoyl peroxide will.

Being prone to acne

Teenagers especially are prone to acne because they are in a state of life whereby they are very subject to hormones, with fluctuations; you might not know, though, that if you are approaching middle age or menopause, you can be prone to acne, too. The same hormonal fluctuations that made you prone to acne as a teenager may also cause acne in your middle years. Besides hormonal fluctuations, diet, poor hygiene, makeup products, and excess oil production can also cause acne.

You can help some of the things, and some you won’t be able to, but you can still give yourself a good chance of not getting acne or at least help yourself on how to remove blackheads by doing things right in those areas where you do have an impact.

Practice good hygiene, gently

Good hygiene can certainly help acne breakouts be less severe or may eliminate them altogether; simply wash your face or shower at least once a day, twice if you need it. However, use a mild cleanser or soap that’s specially formulated to treat acne, and be gentle so that you don’t irritate your acne further. Unfortunately, irritating acne further may make breakouts even worse and can cause scarring.

Eating right can make your skin healthier

Although fad diets never work to make skin healthy (after all, your skin needs good food, too), you can absolutely help your skin and help in minimizing acne breakouts by following a good diet that’s full of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and “good” fats like omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated oils. Be sparing with the junk food, because if you eat a lot of junk food, you’re giving your acne the perfect environment for growth.

By minimizing the oil and grease you get in your diet, you can help avoid further breakouts, since these types of oils are at the knees perfect “food.” You do need healthy oils like omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated oils, though, for good health and good skin.