Ever heard of Rejuvi
Tattoo Removal? Rejuvi is a type of cream that can be injected directly
into the skin. It is the same way as the ink is injected into the top layers of
the epidermis to create the tattoo. According to the experts, the Rejuvi
is absorbed by the pigmented cells and bonds with the pigment. This will softens
the ink and pushes it to the surface of the skin where it forms a scab. When
the scab falls off after six to eight weeks, the ink goes with it.
Experts claim the
technique, first used in the U.S., has a higher success rate than laser
treatment due to it’s characteristics which are cheaper, less painful and has a
minimal risk of scarring. Stuart Harrison, director of Oxford Skin
Clinics, which has just started using the process in its Harley Street,
Richmond and Oxford clinics said: 'It is uncomfortable rather than painful but
it is less painful than having the tattoo itself and certainly a lot less
painful than having laser treatment.
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'Laser works by breaking up the ink pigmentation. However this
works by using the body's natural processes.'
'The reason that a tattoo stays there is that a coating is put
around the ink to protect it from the body's immune response.'
'But this cream makes the ink identifiable to the body so that it
realises the ink is there and starts rejecting it and healing itself.'
The technique was first pioneered in the U.S. but until recently
the only way of using the cream was forcing it into the skin which had a
'cheese grater' effect on the skin. Now a new micropigmentation gun can apply cream under the surface
of the skin without scarring.
Previously the most popular method of removal in the UK has been
laser treatment which breaks up the tattoo pigment in the skin, flushing the
particles away through the immune system. However, it can take several treatments and some complain the ink
never completely fades.
Other treatments include a skin peeling acid or dermabrasion which
involves freezing the skin and sloughing it off with a rotary tool. It can lead to scarring and even a skin graft. Some tattoos are surgically cut out but only when they are too
deep to be treated with laser. But Mr Harrison claims that this cream has a minimal risk of
scarring. He added: 'There is a risk of scarring but it is probably no worse
than an ordinary cut.
'Aftercare is important to minimize the risk of any scaring.'
However, the efficacy of Rejuvi has been questioned on some U.S.
chat forums.