Frequently Asked Questions About Nuviderm:
What is Nuviderm?
Is Nuviderm A Tattoo Removal Cream?
How Does Nuviderm Work?
How Does A Laser Work?
Combine Nuviderm with Laser Tattoo Removal
What Are The Treatment Intervals with Nuviderm Tattoo Removal & How Fast Does It Work?
How Large An Area Can Be Treated?
Is Using Nuviderm complicated?
How Much Does It Cost And What's Included?
Are There Risks Associated With Nuviderm?
Is My Skin Type a Good Candidate for Nuviderm Fade and Tattoo Removal?
I Am a Diabetic is it Safe for Me to Use this Product?
When is the best time to start removing my tattoo?
What is Nuviderm?
Nuviderm is composed of a popular non-prescription skin peeling agent. That agent, TCA, is commonly used by doctors, health spas and private individuals to remove fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars on the face. It has also been used to remove calluses, stretch marks and age spots. All Nuviderm ingredients have been medically tested and proven to fade and/or remove tattoos.
Is Nuviderm A Tattoo Removal Cream?
No. Nuviderm is a clear liquid, not a cream, and contains no Hydroquinone, a skin bleaching chemical found in most Tattoo Removal Creams. Over the counter sales of Hydroquinone is banned in Australia, England, France and Japan because of cancer fears and the risk of a skin disease, Exogenous Ochronosis. A similar ban is proposed for the United States.
How Does Nuviderm Work?
NuvidermTCA is a self regulating acid which typically stops working in 5-8 minutes. Nuviderm fade and tattoo removal works on the same principle as Laser tattoo removal, which is, by controlled inflammation. NuvidermTCA creates a controlled chemical inflammation and Laser Surgery* creates a controlled heat generated inflammation. Both methods work. The inflammation causes the ink to rise to the surface and slowly fade away with each treatment cycle. Nuviderm causes a stinging sensation which doesn't hurt nearly as much as getting the tattoo. The simple act of blowing air on the site relieves the sting or it can be immediately neutralized with a baking soda and water mixture.
How Does A Laser Work?
When a Laser beam hits the ink it causes the ink pigment to heat, expand and "break apart" or vaporize the pigment below the skin surface. Human skin contains a lot of water so when the pigment heats and expands, the water in the skin surrounding the ink basically boils off and creates blisters. It is sometimes described as feeling like drops of hot bacon grease on the skin or being rapidly popped by a rubber band over and over again. That is why Lasers hurt more than getting the original tattoo.
Combine Nuviderm With Laser Tattoo Removal
The cost of Laser tattoo removal is approximately 10 times the cost of the original tattoo. Pre-fading a tattoo with Nuviderm before undergoing Laser treatment can save up to 60% on the cost of Laser removal. A Nuviderm faded tattoo will require fewer Laser treatments and will result in a less painful Laser treatment because faded ink requires less heat absorption to "break apart" or vaporize the ink. A Nuviderm pre-faded tattoo will likely have a shorter recovery time after Laser surgery because a pre-faded tattoo is easier to remove. Less ink in the skin means less ink to remove and less time under the Laser. Less time under the Laser means money in your pocket.
Also, lasers have a difficult time removing yellows and greens. The harder an ink is to remove the longer it takes and the more expensive it is. Pre-fade with Nuviderm if you are considering Laser tattoo removal. Read our section on Lasers and Tattoos.
What Are The Treatment Intervals With Nuviderm And How Fast Does It Work?
Depending on your skin type and how fast you heal, anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks for an average depth peal and 6-8 weeks for a deep peal. It takes roughly two weeks for NuvidermTCA treated skin to begin to peel. It takes about 1 week for all dead skin to fall off once peeling begins. Allow area to heal an additional two or three weeks before starting your next peel.
Depending on your skin type, age of the tattoo, ink composition, depth of ink and adherence to instruction guidelines you will begin to notice a softening of borders and fine lines in just a few treatments, possibly even after the first one. Unlike Lasers, Nuviderm works on all colors. With proper depth of peel all colors will fade away
How Large An Area Can Be Treated?
Do not treat an area larger than 3"x3" at any one time. That is, if you are treating more than one tattoo or are treating a very large tattoo, limit your treatment area to no more than a 3"x3" total area per day. Make sure to do a patch test in the vicinity of the area to be treated. Patch test information is a portion of the complete and detailed instructions which are included with each purchase.
Is Using Nuviderm Complicated?
No. Our easy to read and follow instructions walk you through each step of this simple process. From application through the peel cycle you can be sure that we are an email or phone call away should you have any questions.
How Much Does It Cost And What's Included?
Nuviderm Basic - $47.95
Includes enough Nuviderm to remove or extremely fade one 3x3 tattoo and detailed instructions.
Nuviderm Deluxe Kit - $57.95
Enough Nuviderm to extremely fade or completely remove one 3x3 tattoo, detailed instructions and our Starter Accessory Kit which includes everything you need to begin removing your tattoo.
The Starter Accessory Kit includes: Skin Softening Antibiotic Cream, Sun block,
Neutralizer, Cotton Application Swabs, Cotton Application Pads, Measuring Pipette, Mixing Glass.
Nuviderm Double Deluxe Kit- $79.95
Enough Nuviderm to extremely fade or completely remove TWO 3x3 tattoos,detailed instructions and our Starter Accessory Kit which includes everything you need to begin removing your tattoo.
The Starter Accessory Kit includes: Skin Softening Antibiotic Cream, Sun block,
Neutralizer, Cotton Application Swabs, Cotton Application Pads, Measuring Pipette, Mixing Glass.
Are There Risks Associated With Nuviderm?
Not for internal use
Not recommended for use on neck, face or genital areas.
Do not use to remove facial makeup tattoos.
Keep away from eyes & avoid all contact with eyes
People with existing exiting skin conditions should consult a physician before beginning treatment.
New skin is sensitive to sunlight and should be covered with clothing or with a sun block containing a high Sun Protection Formula - minimum of 15 preferably 30 to 45. Freshly peeled skin is easily damaged by a bright sun. KEEP IT COVERED!
Physical activity is fine but new skin is tender and prone to chafing. Be kind to your new skin and protect it from abuse.
A slight redness over the treatment area may persist for several weeks or months and then fade away.
Hypopigmentation is a common by product of laser and TCA tattoo removal and may be of particular concern for dark-complected people.
Is My Skin Type a Good Candidate for Nuviderm Tattoo Fade & Removal?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Academy of Dermatology recognize six skin-type categories. If you have the Skin-types V and VI listed below you should not use skin peels for tattoo removal.
The Fitzpatrick Skin Types Chart
Skin Types |
Sun, Example, History |
I |
Always burns easily, never tans, extremely sensitive skin, Red-headed, freckled, |
II |
Always burns easily, tans minimally, very sensitive skin |
III |
|
IV |
|
V |
Rarely burns, tans well, sun-insensitive skin |
VI |
|
I Am a Diabetic is it Safe for Me to Use This Product?
Nuviderm is not recommended for diabetics or others with chronic conditions that inhibit healing.
When is the best time to start removing my tattoo?
The best time to start removing your tattoo is during the winter so that you will be ready for swimsuit weather next summer.