Removing a Tattoo With Salt: Does It Work?

There are so many tips and tricks circling the Internet on how you can remove a tattoo, fast and easy, using common household items. One such common item is salt. People seem to be sure that rubbing salt into the tattoo will get the ink to leak out of the skin and disappear. But, is that really something possible to occur? And if so, isn’t it dangerous?

In the following paragraphs, we’ll explore this infamous Internet trick for tattoo removal, and see whether it works or whether it is dangerous. We’ll expose the lies about this trick and show you what really needs to be done for proper tattoo removal. So, let’s get started!

Salt Tattoo Removal: 5 Things You Need to Know

1. Why Is It a Popular Recommendation On The Internet?

There are many reasons why tips and tricks, involving sugar or salt, are such popular tattoo removal recommendations, spreading around the Internet like a wildfire. For example;

People, who have no actual knowledge about tattoos and how they work, spread ‘quick and easy removal’ tips on salt tattoo removal
People who have no knowledge about skin layers, and where the tattoo ink is stored in the skin, share their tips which could potentially cause other people harm
People who believe proper laser tattoo removal is ineffective and useless share their money-saving tips on how to remove tattoo with just salt

Because of the belief that saltwater promotes tattoo fading, people believe it will also help remove the tattoo completely

These are the four most common reasons why these salt tricks exist at all. Uninformed people come up with ideas based on the general day-to-day use of salt around the house, thinking it could be applied to a tattoo. That is why one needs to do thorough research and consult professionals and experts before undertaking any activity that may result in harming one’s skin and health. More on that in the following paragraphs.

2. Does Salt Tattoo Removal Work?

Salt tattoo removal is popular because it is based on a method that is sometimes used to remove tattoos. The method is known as dermabrasion. This is an exfoliating technique used to remove scars, acne, tissue irregularities, as well as tattoos in some cases. It involves the use of a sanding device, resembling the salt/sugar crystals, to remove the surface skin layers.

Based on this, it is believed that salt alone can achieve the same exfoliating technique. There is a method where salt is used to provide deep exfoliation, known as salabrasion. But, we need to remember one thing; the tattoo ink is not placed on the surface of the skin. It is pushed into the dermis of the skin by the tattoo gun; that is the skin layer beneath the surface, where the salt cannot reach no matter how hard you scrub the salt.

So, does salt tattoo removal work? Well, of course, it doesn’t. Sometimes even dermabrasion doesn’t work, for the aforementioned reasons. Salt or any sanding device simply cannot reach the inner skin layer, where the tattoo ink is located.

Other reasons why salt tattoo removal doesn’t work lies in the following factors;

The bigger the tattoo, the more salt exfoliation is needed, which can lead to huge scars and risky skin damage
If a tattoo has a delicate location, where the skin is thin and has a lot of nerve endings, once may experience high pain levels, alongside deeper damage
Salt cannot reach the dermis of the skin, and even if you do somehow rub it in, beyond blood and plain, it still won’t ever pull out all the ink

3. Is It Safe To Use Salt For Tattoo Removal?

Salt, used for skin exfoliation, isn’t considered unsafe. Salt and sugar body scrubs have a common application in the beauty world, helping people get rid of dead skin cells and achieving smooth and supple skin.

However, persistent exfoliation of a single skin area, over and over again, can lead to extensive harmful effects. For example, rubbing salt into the skin repeatedly can lead to bleeding, inflammation of the skin and the tattoo, irritation, swelling, redness, permanent scarring, and other serious skin damage. It can also cause pigmentation issues, and of course, pain.

Not to mention, it is completely ineffective to use salt for tattoo removal, as we mentioned, so there is simply no reason people should try this method whatsoever.

4. Other Things To Consider Regarding Salt Tattoo Removal

During the research for this article, there were few instances where people talked about salt being most useful in the removal of fresh tattoos. We’ve decided to emphasize how dangerous this can actually be.

Now, fresh tattoos are like open wounds. They need to be protected, taken care of, and let to properly heal. Without that, the tattoo, or any wound for that matter, can quickly turn on you and start creating serious health problems.

Now, imagine rubbing salt onto a fresh wound. Incredibly painful to even think about it, right? That’s how it would feel to rub salt onto a fresh tattoo.

Needless to say that by doing that one can cause serious infection, excessive bleeding, excessive tattoo oozing, skin damage, swelling, irritation, prolonged healing, which can again lead to an infection, and the list goes on.

On top of these effects, a person can develop a serious fever and can require emergency medical attention to treat the tattoo.

Also, there were instances where people recommended the use of a scrubbing/bathing brush to rub in salt for maximum effect. This can be extremely dangerous since a brush can introduce numerous bacteria into the tattooed tissue. This can promote the seriousness of an infection, as well as other side effects.

So, make sure to never attempt doing any of this. In the following paragraphs we’ll talk about a suitable and proper tattoo removal method, so make sure to continue reading. And, beware of the false information circling the Internet; the info people share is pretty dangerous and health-threatening.

5. What Can I Do To Get Rid Of a Tattoo?

The only effective tattoo removal method is laser removal treatment. Laser removal works by having a laser penetrating the skin, reaching the ink, and heating it up. Then, the laser machine sends shock waves which disperse the ink into the surrounding tissue. Ink particles then end up leaving your body through natural filtration of foreign bodies (peeing and pooping).

Sure enough, laser removal carries some disadvantages as well. It is no secret that laser removal treatments have caused scarring as well. However, that only happens when people get treated at some low-grade clinics with unprofessional staff.

Furthermore, it is pretty expensive and requires numerous sessions until the tattoo is gone. And, not to mention, the efficiency of the removal depends on the ink color; if your tattoo is bright, you’ll have a harder time getting rid of it. The laser simply doesn’t detect bright ink as efficiently as dark ink.

However, despite all the potential negatives, laser tattoo removal is still the most effective way to get rid of a tattoo successfully. When the procedure is performed by experienced professionals, the side effects are almost non-existent, which, compared to the DIY salabrasion is far more preferable and non-invasive for the health.

Final Thoughts

Fast tattoo removal can be super appealing to people who want to get rid of a tattoo in no time. However, quick tattoo removal is not possible. It takes time, mostly because the ink is placed into the skin, where it cannot be easily reached. Luckily, laser tattoo removal is super effective and safe, so it is your best option for now.

Hopefully, there will be a revolutionary finding in the field of laser tattoo removal soon, which would make laser removal quick and more accessible. But, until then, make sure to not try the Internet-famous DIY tattoo removal tips and tricks. They are straight-up dangerous and health-threatening, not to mention false and fake.

For more information about proper tattoo removal check out our other articles and make sure to talk to your dermatologist or even tattoo artist. They will help you explore your removal options and see what would work the best for you.