Even a temporary tattoo can last longer than you would like.
Maybe you got a henna design or fake tattoo at a festival you no longer love, or the semi-permanent makeup look does not quite match up to what you wanted.
No matter your reason for wanting to remove a fake or temporary tattoo, you have come to the right place for advice.
We have put together a guide on how to remove temporary tattoos. This includes the most safe and effective ways to get rid of even the most stubborn temporary tattoos.
From oil-based removers to when laser tattoo removal is your best option, we can help you feel confident in your skin again.
If you want to talk to one of our tattoo removal experts in-person, why not book a no-obligation consultation today.
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Your guide to temporary tattoo removal
Not every temporary tattoo is the same, and so how you approach the removal of them should not be the same either.
Let’s go through how you can remove different types of non-permeant or temporary tattoos.
How to remove henna tattoos
Henna tattoos are not permanent and usually fade with natural skin cell turnover and shedding. This is because henna ink only sits on the top layers of the skin.
But if a stubborn henna tattoo is taking longer to fade, there are ways you can speed up the removal process that are generally safe and effective.
These removal options also work on most other fake tattoos:
Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
If you apply rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to a cotton pad and rub gently on the henna tattoo it can break down the pigment.
It will not remove the henna immediately, however. Henna stains the dead skin cells on your skin, which means it takes time and sometimes other forms of removal for it to fade completely.Â
If you use this method, always rinse the skin with warm water after 20-30 seconds. You will need to repeat this process to see the best results. Â
We do not recommend this for sensitive skin.
Oil-based removers (baby oil, coconut oil, olive oil)
This is a more gentle option for removing temporary tattoos like henna.
Oiled-based removers can help to break down water-proof adhesives without needing to aggressively scrub the skin.
It is a more gentle option for sensitive skin and helps prevent skin dryness, and keep skin soft.
You need to let the oil sit for a few minutes (15-20), and then gently wipe with a soft cloth or cotton pad in circular motions.
Sugar and oil scrubs
The mix of sugar and oil scrubs is considered highly effective for removing henna tattoos.
The oil part helps to soften the stained skin (tattooed area), while the sugar (often brown sugar), helps with physical exfoliation to lift the stained upper layers.
You should also rinse off the solution with warm water and finish by applying a good moisturizer to hydrate the skin.
Cold cream or makeup remover
You can use both cold cream and makeup remover to gently fade henna tattoos. Silicone-based makeup remover is best at lifting the pigment.
As henna stains dead skin cells, you will need to emulsify and gently scrub the skin, leave for a few minutes and wipe away with a soft cloth.
Chemical removers
This usually includes rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover. They often contain harsh chemicals, so you need to be careful with this method. Do not use this type of remover on broken or sensitive skin.
More natural methods are considered safer and more effective.
Use skin cooling products – aloe vera gels, cucumber gel and a cool compress
Regardless of the removal option you choose, you should also use cooling products to soothe irritation and protect the skin.
A cold compress applied after exfoliation helps calm redness, while aloe vera or cucumber gel can keep skin smooth.
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How to remove cosmetic eyebrow tattoos
Eyebrow tattoos, nano brows, and microblading are more challenging to remove than henna tattoos.
While some people may use chemical removers such as glycolic acid to remove them, this can cause more skin damage, longer healing times, and can lead to scarring and infection.
Laser tattoo removal is the gold standard, and the most effective option for removing cosmetic eyebrow tattoos.
At Zapp Laser Studio, we use two of the most advanced laser technologies for fading and removing a temporary tattoo (or permanent ones).
Why laser removal is the best option
We use both PicoSure laser and PicoWay laser devices to remove most temporary tattoos.
Laser tattoo removal works by:
- Â Ultra-short bursts of laser light energy at fast rates to target tattoo ink particles
- Â Breaks down tattoo ink into tiny particles
-  Your body’s immune system flushes them out
- Â There is no damage to healthy surrounding skin
- Â Minimal downtime and risk of scarring
The PicoWay laser system is safe on darker skin tones. This is because it uses a 1064nm wavelength that bypasses the melanin in your skin and only targets tattoo ink.
How to remove semi‑permanent makeup
Semi‑permanent makeup can include:
- Lip blush and lip liner
- Permanent eyeliner
- Cosmetic brow tattoos
Henna tattoos or fake tattoos are not considered to be stubborn tattoos to remove. Cosmetic eyebrow tattoos and semi-permanent makeup, on the other hand, are.
You should not try to remove semi-permanent makeup with at home solutions such as oils, chemical creams, or makeup remover. This is because it can cause severe skin damage and scarring.
Laser treatment for semi-permanent makeup removal
At Zapp Laser Studio we use pico lasers to remove semi-permanent makeup.
Just like with cosmetic eyebrow tattoos, we use laser energy to shatter ink pigment without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Pico laser are great for targeting:
- Â Dark ink
- Â Multi-coloured ink
- Â Stubborn temporary tattoos
They are also gentle enough to use on sensitive areas of skin such as the eyelids and lips.
PicoSure and PicoWay lasers are an effective method for removing all ink colours on the spectrum, including challenging inks such as blue, green and white.
When to choose professional laser removal
Laser tattoo removal is the safest and most effective option for dealing with:
- Â Cosmetic tattoos
- Â Semi-permanent makeup
-  Pigments that won’t fade
- Â Tattoos that have migrated
- Â Faded tattoos
Our PicoSure and PicoWay laser systems can:
- Â Break down all type of tattoo pigment safely
- Â Use different wavelengths to target and remove all ink colours
- Â Provide faster fading and removal than other laser treatments
- Â Reduce the risk of scarring
- Â Can help to improve the health, tone and texture of your skin
Talk to Zapp Laser Studio about the permanent and temporary tattoo removal process
Starting your tattoo removal journey can feel confusing, especially when you do not know which removal method is right for your skin type and tattoo type.
Our tattoo removal specialists are on hand to provide expert guidance on the most effective treatment plan for you, whether that is for temporary tattoos or permanent ink.
This all begins with an initial consultation where we get to know more about you, and you can ask any questions you have about tattoo removal.