Dr. Oz discussed tattoo removal options on his December 14, 2009 show. He covered multiple ways in which tattoos can be removed - the least effective of which is tattoo removal creams. Here's a summary of what Dr. Oz revealed:

Tattoo Removal Cream - Since it can't get beneath the epidermis, it's usefulness is limited to amateur tattoos at best, as the majority of tattoo ink is placed deeper in the skin where the cream cannot penetrate. In all uses of tattoo removal creams, chances of scarring and infection are very high. Dr. Oz said that due to their inefficacy, tattoo removal creams are generally a waste of money.

Dermabrasion - Typically involves having a dermatologist scrape the skin down to the tattoo ink. Dr. Oz explained that this is very painful, leaves a significant scar, and is expensive.

Cryotherapy - Skin cells in the area of the tattoo are frozen and lysed (killed). Since the chemicals used (typically liquid nitrogen) can't target tattoo ink specifically, the general area is damaged and a scar larger than the tattoo will remain.

Laser Tattoo Removal - The laser targets ink particles without harming the skin, and scarring is very rare. It fractures the ink into smaller particles that the body can then remove.

While this is no news to us at Dr. TATTOFF, we're glad that Dr. Oz is helping educate the public at large as to the merrits of laser tattoo removal versus other tattoo removal methods. It is not uncommon for us to see a patient who wants to start laser tattoo removal after having an unsuccessful experience with tattoo removal creams. Often times we treat these individuals and remove their tattoos entirely, but sometimes the acid and/or scrub brushes that they used as part of a tattoo removal cream system have left their skin so scarred that we cannot treat them with lasers. This is an unfortunate situation for everyone, which is why we always encourage potential patients to visit a Dr. TATTOFF clinic for a free consultation before proceeding with any method of tattoo removal.