Remove Temporary Tattoos

Temporary tattoos are great for kids, a costume party, or for a night where you just feel like looking hardcore without the commitment of a real tattoo but they can be stubborn to get off. Whatever your reason for putting a temporary tattoo on, at some point it will start to peel and you'll want to remove it. Follow these different methods to rub, peel, and soak your tattoo away.

Steps

Scrubbing

  1. Apply a small amount of baby oil to the temporary tattoo. Keep in mind that most temporary tattoos are able to stand up to water and soap, so oil is generally the best way to go if you want to scrub a temporary tattoo off. You could also try to use a face or body scrub. The beads from the scrub should help remove the tattoo from your skin.
    • Alternatively, you can use special temporary tattoo remover wipes like Limisan. Those wipes contain silicons which ensure easy removal of the temporary tattoo.
    • Alternatively, you can pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or piece of paper towel. Be aware that rubbing alcohol may burn a bit.[1]
    • If you do not have baby oil, you can use olive oil on your tattoo as well.
  2. Let the baby oil sit on the tattoo for a minute. Doing this will allow the baby oil to soak into the tattoo (and your skin) making it easier to rub the temporary tattoo away.[2]
  3. Get a washcloth and rub the tattoo vigorously. The tattoo should begin to become clumpy and start to peel off and rub away. Keep rubbing until all of the temporary tattoo has been removed.
    • You can use a paper towel in place of a washcloth.
  4. Wash the remaining oil off with warm water and soap. Wash your skin until there is no oil left. Pat the area dry with a towel.

Peeling

  1. Rip several pieces of tape off of its roll. Clear tape, such as Scotch tape, works better than masking or painter’s tape. Hang the tape pieces by one end off of the side of a table or counter (wherever you will be working).
  2. Press a piece of tape down onto the temporary tattoo. Make sure that you press it down firmly so that it attaches to the surface of the temporary tattoo. Use a finger to rub the tape down along your skin.[1]
  3. Peel the tape off of your skin. The temporary tattoo should peel off with the tape. This process might take several tries, particularly if it is a large temporary tattoo.[2]
  4. Rub an ice cube on the spot where the temporary tattoo was. Do this after all of the temporary tattoo has been removed. Doing this will reduce the redness caused by peeling the tape from your skin.

Cold Cream

  1. Apply cold cream to the temporary tattoo. Make sure that the tattoo is fully covered by the cream.[3]
  2. Let the cold cream sink into the skin. You should leave the cream on for an hour or so to make sure that it thoroughly works its magic on the temporary tattoo.
  3. Rub the cold cream away with a washcloth. Use warm water and soap to remove any remaining cold cream.

Nail Polish Remover

  1. Wet a cotton ball with nail polish remover. If you do not have nail polish remover, you can also use rubbing alcohol.[4]
  2. Rub the temporary tattoo with the cotton ball. Scrub at the tattoo so that it begins to flake off of your skin. You may need to wet the cotton ball again or get a new cotton ball, depending on how large your temporary tattoo is.
  3. Wash your skin with warm water and soap. Use a washcloth to rinse your skin where your temporary tattoo was. Use warm water and soap to remove any of the acetone left behind by the nail polish remover.

Make Up Remover

  1. Soak make up remover into a cotton ball.
  2. Rub over the temporary tattoo. Rub gently.
  3. Wash off with soap and warm water.
  4. Allow to air dry or dab with a soft towel.
  5. Repeat if needed.



Tips

  • You can also try using hand sanitizer.
  • Be careful with the rubbing alcohol! Don't overdo it, because it will sting.
  • Lots of tattoos fade on their own or in the shower, so if you're uneasy about being hard on your skin then just wait a few more days--the tattoo will peel off on its own.
  • You can use hand sanitizer as an alcohol substitute.
  • Use a makeup wipe to get tattoos off.
  • Use Pam cooking spray and let soak for 1 minute; then rub the tattoo off.
  • Use the tape method if you have worn your tattoo for six hours of LESS. If you have worn it for six hours or MORE, sanitizer or rubbing alcohol is a better option for a less painful complete removal of the tattoo.

Things You'll Need

  • Cotton balls
  • Baby oil or olive oil
  • Cloth/paper towel
  • Scotch tape
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Soap
  • Water
  • Makeup or nail polish remover
  • Soft towel for drying

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Sources and Citations