Temporary tattoos are one of the best alternatives especially when kids or teens do not seem to be convinced without one. We don’t deny that either especially during birthdays and costume parties when it is so much fun to ink our favorite characters on us.
Temporary tattoos are the best thing to curb tattoo cravings and passion for tattoos. When your job doesn’t allow you for one, you can always opt for temporary tattoos as there are many ways to remove them.
In this article, we will help you with the various ways you can remove temporary tattoos. You are free to take a second opinion from an expert who also deals with permanent tattoos. They will also guide you and let you know the best solution for your temporary tattoos.
Regular Tattoo Vs Temporary Tattoo
Not many people could figure out the difference between normal tattoos and temporary tattoos. Before you begin to know the various methods of temporary tattoo removal, understanding the difference between the two is essential.
These are confusing to differentiate as both follow the same category. Here is a catch to find the difference;
A Temporary Tattoo is something that leaves the skin in its mood. It may either go in a few days, weeks, or months depending on the ink used. Thus, to remove it on your will you will need to follow some methods.
A Regular Tattoo is not so notorious and will leave you the moment you wish for it. These types of normal temporary tattoos are done with the help of highlighters, markers, face paints, watercolors, stickers, etc.,
Now that you know the trick to differentiate between these two, let us help you with few simple methods to remove not so stubborn (normal) temporary tattoos:
9 Different Ways to Remove a Temporary Tattoo
1. Scrubbing Method
Things you need:
- Baby oil/ Olive oil/ Coconut oil or alcohol
- Tattoo wipes or paper towel
Process:
Pour some baby oil on your tattoo area. Some temporary tattoo colors are tough and they easily stand away against water or soap. Thus, you need baby oil if you want to scrub these off.
You can also try using a body or face scrub. Alternatives to baby oil are also alcohol or olive oil. Scrub for some time with the oil or alcohol and let it sit for some time.
In this period, your tattoo will find it easy to peel off. However, we suggest you rub the tattoo with the help of a paper towel or tattoo wipes.
After the tattoo ink seems to have shifted to your paper towel, you may wash your ex-tattoo area with warm water and gentle soap. Pat dry.
2. Peeling Method
Things you need:
- Scotch tape or any clear tape
- Ice cube
Process:
Paste a piece of scotch tape on your tattoo area. If you may need more tapes, you can cut them in advance and hang the tape pieces by the edge of the table counter.
With the help of your finger rub on the tape that you just pasted on your tattoo. Keep rubbing for few seconds. Gently take off the tape. Your tattoo should peel off along with the tape.
If some part of the tattoo is left, you need to continue the same process few more times until the complete tattoo is removed from your skin and stuck on the tape.
Take an ice cube and rub it on the ex-tattooed skin. It will soothe the skin and reduce any redness that the tape must have caused during the rubbing process.
3. Nail Polish Removal Method
Things you need:
- Nail polish remover
- Cotton swab
- Moisturizer
Process:
The acetone contained in nail polish removers helps you to get rid of your temporary tattoos in no time!
All you need to do is in your nail polish remover, dab a cotton swab and wipe off your tattoo with the swab. That does the trick effortlessly! You may apply a gentle moisturizer to nourish the stretched tattoo area.
4. Cold Cream Method
Things you need:
- Cold cream
- Soapy water
Process:
Apply cold cream on your tattoo area in a thick form. Let it cover your entire tattoo area. Your skin will automatically sink the cream within an hour.
After the cream has completely dissolved into your skin, you can rub off the area with a soft wipe or gentle towel. Wash the area gently with warm water and soap.
Pat dry with a dry towel and do not rub too harshly. This trick works like a magic and you don’t have to make any efforts for the same.
5. Makeup-Remover Method
Things you need:
- Make-up remover
- Cotton ball
- Soap water
- Soft towel or soft paper wipe
Process:
Dip a cotton ball in your makeup remover lotion. Keep rubbing the cotton ball over your tattoo for few minutes. Wash off the tattoo area with warm soapy water.
Dry the area and dab with a soft towel or paper wipe. For a stubborn tattoo, you may repeat the process.
There are various other simpler methods for normal temporary tattoo removal that you may also find on the web.
Let’s focus mainly on something that is difficult to locate on the web and it is how to remove stubborn temporary tattoos!
6. Chemical Method
Things you need:
- Alcohol or
- Hydrogen peroxide or
- Hand sanitizer or
- Any product that contains glycolic acid, lactic, or salicylic acid
- Cotton ball
Process:
The above are harsh chemicals and not suitable for children’s skin. Thus, these do not come under the normal tattoos.
You may choose a cotton ball, dip in any of the above solutions, and scrub the tattoo area in a circular motion. Continue doing so for at least 20 to 40 seconds.
If needed, continue the process for some more time. Wash the area with warm soapy water. Dry the area and gently pat it with a dry towel.
You should be able to see the tattoo rubbing off. You may repeat the process if needed. The chemical method is also used to remove tattoos made out of henna ink.
7. Baking Soda Method
Things you need:
- Baking Soda
- Lemon Juice
Process:
Baking soda is the best exfoliator. It has proved to remove even the most stubborn stains on any surface.
Make a thick paste by mixing baking soda and lemon juice. Apply the paste on the tattoo area and leave it be for 10 minutes. Rinse the area with warm water.
You will need to apply the paste once daily until the tattoo is completely faded. Make sure to apply a good moisturizing cream or lotion after performing this method every time.
8. Using Micellar water
Things you need:
- Micellar water
- Soft cloth/paper towel
Process:
This is more applicable to stubborn and ink-based henna tattoos. You need to dip some part of the cloth in the micellar water and rub the skin gently for some time.
After rubbing the area for few minutes, wash your tattoo area with warm soapy water.
Micellar water is easily available at drug stores. Micelles help to cleanse the skin and break down any type of pigment settled in the skin.
You may repeat the process couple of times until the tattoo has completed faded.
9. Tattoo Removal Wipes Method
Things you need:
- Tattoo removal wipes
- Warm soapy water
Process:
Tattoo removal wipes are one of the easiest methods to get rid of those slowly fading tattoos that make the skin look shabby. These wipes can be bought online or from a tattoo supplies store.
Simply take a wipeout from the pack, unpack it, and apply the wipe on your tattoo area while gently massaging it in a circular motion.
These wipes are gentle on the skin and perhaps the safest method to remove stubborn temporary tattoos that have stayed with you for more than two weeks.
You may wash the area later with warm soapy water and pat dry.
Meet a Tattoo Artist to Remove Temporary Tattoo
Although temporary tattoos can be easily removed at home, sometimes certain inks may leave stubborn remarks. You may take the support of a tattoo artist to remove the same.
Such scenarios may rarely happen however, you must have a backup plan ready and that is a good tattoo artist. Do let your tattoo artist know when you got inked and what type of temporary pigment did you use for your tattoo.
Final Words:
You don’t have to worry much about temporary tattoos as these will anyway leave your skin back to normal. All the above methods are applicable for both, temporary and normal temporary tattoos. You may select the one most suitable for you. Enjoy oodles of variations in these and flaunt your passion for tattoos on any occasion you want.
