Simply put, yes, Nuviderm works. The active ingredient in Nuviderm, TCA, was tested during a 6 year study from 1979 through 1984 by British Cosmetic Surgeons T. A. Piggot and R.W. Norris. During the 6 year out-patient study 670 patients were treated resulting in a 85% success rate. Since that time the process has been refined resulting in a success rate in the 93% range when used as directed.

The purpose of the study was to find a less costly form of tattoo removal, and an alternative to derm- abrasion, surgical removal and laser removal which was in its early stage of development in the early 80's. They were also looking for a method that would be less painful to the patient compared to the techniques used at the time.

TCA is a cosmetic acid that plays an important role in the gradual fading and removal of tattoo pigment in the skin. It is commonly used by Dermatologists to remove or reduce acne scars, blemishes and age spots. Cosmetic surgeons and health spas use TCA to remove fine lines, facial wrinkles, stretch marks and some scars.

Over the past few years attempts at other non-laser, non-surgical and non-dermabrasion tattoo removal methods have reached various stages of development without much success except, possibly, for IPL or Intense Pulsed Light. IPL has proven effective although it is currently cost prohibitive for most people and has a high risk of hypopigmentation. Some creams have been developed and marketed, but most of those contain ineffective herbal ingredients or Hydroquinone, a chemical thought to be carcinogenic and banned in some European and Asian countries and a precursor to Exogenous Ochronosis, a side effect of Hydroquinone that causes the skin to noticeably darken with prolonged use. There are two main tattoo removal creams on the market today, neither of which offer a money back guarantee as of the date of this writing. The lack of a guarantee indicates zero confidence in their own products. Also, the cost of these two products is significantly higher than any Nuviderm product and unlikely to produce any noticeable tattoo fading.

A new product on the market, which is a cream and contains no hydroquinone or TCA, claims to remove a tattoo in 4 months simply by using an exfoliation pad and applying their special cream which contains Alpha Arbutin, a product that inhibits the production of the enzyme tyrosinase which does nothing more than reduce the production of skin pigmentation, by limiting both melanin production (tan) and skin reddening (erythema). In other words it works much the same way as hydroquinone, a carcenogenic skin lightening agent but has zero effect on tattoo pigment that has been injected into the skin to form the tattoo. Tattoo removal creams will have no more effect on removing a tattoo than than an exfoliating pad and soap.

Nuviderm, on the other hand, has been medically tested and proven effective as an easy to use in home tattoo removal product that offers an effective and affordable substitute for laser tattoo removal.