For those who have a short memory span, let’s refresh it. Last November, a TikTok video with a woman not being able to remove her Halloween tattoo went viral! This sparked multiple rumors about the negatives of ‘temporary’ tattoos, how harmful they are, and even myths that ‘there is nothing temporary about these tattoos.’ However, putting aside the rumors, the popularity of temporary tattoos has reached a crescendo, with more people inking themselves with these. So, if you plan on doing the same, here are some tips on how to remove temporary tattoos you must know.
This article has been curated with the assistance of noted tattoo experts who have given out these tips to remove them. Also, they have provided some insights about special types of tattoos, some potential complications that may arise during the removal process, and a couple of ways to soothe the skin. Here’s taking a look –
Table of Contents
How to remove temporary tattoos in different ways?
For all those looking for easy hacks to remove temporary tattoos, this section will give you a handful. Surely, they are not one-day tricks; they will take a minimum of 1-2 days when applied one-two time per day. In the first instance, you will find a major portion of the tattoo removed with only traces of it left. Do it a couple of more times, and the tattoo will be gone!
Also, ensure that the soap that you are using does not have too many harsh chemicals in it. Let’s proceed –
1. Exfoliation Process
You must have used multiple exfoliation scrubs for your body or even your face. You may use these scrubs to remove temporary tattoos. Else, you make curate your own skin scrub to remove these temporary stamps. How to do the same?
Ingredients you will require
1/2 cup each of – coconut or olive oil and powdered brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of coffee powder
How to use it
Blend all the ingredients together, and splash a couple of water drops into it to make it thick. Store it in an airtight container. Take a bit of it, rub it in a circular motion over the tattoo, and keep it for 60 seconds. After that, wash it off with water and pat it dry.
That’s how to remove temporary tattoos using the exfoliation process.
2. Using Oil-based products
Ingredients you will require
You have alternatives such as – baby oil, coconut oil, or olive oil to choose from. You have heard how beneficial they regard moisturizing your skin. However, they can remove tattoos as well.
How to use it
Spray a little of the oil you have chosen on the tattoo and move it in circular motions. Do that for close to a minute and let it be. After that, take a ball of cotton and wipe away the tattoo. Wash it and pat the area dry.
3. Acetone-based remover
For those wondering how to remove temporary tattoos with an acetone-based product, it actually means the usual nail polish – remover.
Ingredients you will require
Acetone-based remover (nail-paint remover). You may also use make-up remover (but that is not acetone-based).
How to use it
Soak a ball of cotton in this remover, and dab the tattoo with this. You will see major specks of it getting removed. Pat the area dry. After the first round, you will find that there are only traces of the tattoo left. Once you do it the second time, the ink will be completely gone.
4. Using a cold cream
Ingredients you will require
Pick up any of the branded cold creams available in the market. They work as make-up removers.
How to use it
You will have to apply this in circular motions over the tattoo. Keep it for a minute and remove it with a cloth. Wash the area and towel dry it.
5. Using alcohol
Ingredients you will require
How to remove temporary tattoos with alcohol? It is possible since many household and tattoo artists use alcohol as a disinfectant. However, you will have to use medical alcohol for the same.
How to use it
Soak a ball of cotton in alcohol and casually rub it over the tattoo. Do this for upto a minute, and then wash it with soap. Towel dry the area.
These are some of the hacks used for removing temporary tattoos.
What if your tattoo is of a special type?
Given that you now know how to remove temporary tattoos, it is time to check out ways to remove temporary tattoos that are made from the following –
1. Henna
Though they are not the most-opted base for creating a temporary tattoo, if you do ink yourself with one, how would you remove it?
Blend 2 cups of Epsom salt with 6 cups of warm water. Swirl it well so that the salt completely dissolves in the water. Keep your inked area submerged in this mixture for 15 minutes. After removing it, massage the area with olive oil and lather it up with soap. Repeat the process twice a day for 4-5 days to notice the difference.
2. Glitter tattoos
How to remove temporary tattoos that are embedded with glitters? Soak a cotton ball in baby oil and dab the area consistently. Very soon, you will find the glitter coming off, and then you can wash the area with soap. It will take you a maximum of 2-3 days.
3. Airbrush tattoos
For those looking out to remove temporary tattoos that have been airbrushed, soak cotton balls in isopropyl alcohol and apply them to that tattoo. Dab the soaked cotton balls on them, and you will find the tattoo coming off almost immediately. Once that is done, you can wash that area with soap and water – pat it dry.
What potential complications may you face?
The general complications that may happen after removing temporary tattoos are – untoward breakouts, inflamed skin, or in certain cases – some allergic reactions (rare and restricted to very sensitive skin). In the next section, experts have mentioned some tips for you to calm your skin.
How to soothe the skin after tattoo removal?
Now that you know how to remove temporary tattoos, you will have to take care of the aforementioned skin complications that may arise. This is what the experts suggest –
- Moisturize your skin with aloe vera or cucumber gel. Both these gels have cooling and anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe the skin. Use it 2-3 times per day for best results.
- Ground oatmeal blended with coconut milk is a great alternative to soothe your affected skin. Make a thick paste, and apply it over the affected area for 5 minutes. Wash it off with water. Store this paste in the refrigerator and use it 3-4 times per day.
- You may apply a blend of water and baking soda paste on your skin. Put it on for 5 minutes and wash it off with water.
While you try any of these tricks, keep using a cold compress throughout. This will ease the area and assist in the relief process.
Closing thoughts
Assuming that you have clarity about how to remove temporary tattoos easily, we hope you will not think much before you ink up next time, albeit temporarily. If you are looking for more tattoo designs or techniques for covering up – keep browsing the Contour Cafe website.
Monalisa Mukherjee is a content writer, copywriter and editor with 4 years of experience. She has written for websites like Biography Talk, The Rich Net Worth, Contour Cafe, He And She Fitness and Fiction Pad. She is currently associated with a noted Digital Marketing Agency and specialises in writing press release, guest posts, articles on travel, entertainment, food recipes, celebs, lifestyle, tech, health, and fashion.