Whatever the situation, removing permanent ink stains is never a trivial matter. If your child got a tattoo with a permanent marker or if you accidentally stained yourself while writing, continue reading this article and find out how to get rid of ink in the easiest and fastest way possible using commonly used products that you most likely have. already at home.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a Chemical
Step 1. Use disinfectant alcohol
The classic pink alcohol used to disinfect and clean the house is probably the most effective product for erasing indelible ink from the skin.
- Moisten a cotton ball with alcohol and hold it against your skin for a few seconds. After a few moments, start rubbing and continue until the permanent marker stain has disappeared. Alcohol can irritate the skin, so be very gentle.
- Disinfectant alcohol is readily available in any supermarket. Make sure it has a concentration of no less than 90%.
Step 2. Use nail polish remover
Solvents that contain acetone (and generally isopropyl alcohol as well) are quite powerful and, in addition to removing nail polish, are useful for erasing ink stains from the skin when needed.
- Dampen a cotton ball with nail polish remover and rub it gently on your skin to erase the ink.
- Before starting to scrub, place the damp cotton on the stain for a moment to dissolve the ink.
Step 3. Use the hand sanitizer gel
Since it contains alcohol, you can use it to erase permanent ink from your skin.
- Rub a generous amount into the stain, then wipe it off your skin using a rag, tissue, or cotton swab.
- Repeat the operations until the permanent marker stains have disappeared.
Step 4. Use diluted bleach
A minimal amount of diluted bleach may be enough to dissolve the indelible ink on the surface of the skin.
- Dilute 1 part of traditional bleach in 7 parts of water. Dampen a cotton ball in the solution, then wipe it gently over the permanent ink stains.
- Bleach can seriously irritate the skin, so never use it pure or in a concentration higher than that indicated. Choose another method if the ink spot is on the face or on another part of the body where the skin is particularly sensitive, such as in the armpits or in the "bikini line". Also do not use it on small children.
Method 2 of 3: Use a Natural Product
Step 1. Make a salt scrub
If you don't want to use a chemical to remove permanent ink from your skin, salt is one of the best alternatives.
- Form a paste by adding a few drops of water to a tablespoon of coarse sea salt. Once the mixture is ready, rub it into the stain gently. After a couple of minutes, rinse the area and see if the stain has disappeared.
- The sea salt will exfoliate the skin and remove the surface layers stained by the ink. Salt may not completely erase stains, but they will certainly fade.
Step 2. Use olive oil
Some fats like olive oil have the ability to dissolve ink, but without harming the skin like chemicals do.
- Soak a cotton ball in the oil and rub it gently into your skin. Shortly after, the ink will begin to transfer from the skin to the cotton. When you are satisfied with the result, wash off the residual oil from the skin with soap and water.
- Using a natural product, such as salt or olive oil, you may not be able to completely get rid of stains, but they will certainly be faded.
Step 3. Use baking soda
Mix it with a few drops of water to form a spreadable paste. The bicarbonate crystals will gently exfoliate the skin by removing the ink-stained surface layers.
- Add a few drops of water to a teaspoon of baking soda to make an easy-to-spread paste. Massage it into the stained skin for a couple of minutes, then rinse the area with warm water.
- Another option is to mix the baking soda with the toothpaste in equal parts for an even more effective scrub.
Step 4. Use banana peel
Many argue that it is very useful for erasing indelible ink stains from the skin. The ink may not go away completely, but you will certainly be able to fade the spots without the risk of irritating your skin.
- Rub the inside of a ripe banana peel into the stained skin in small circular motions.
- Continue rubbing the banana peel into the skin for several minutes, then rinse the area off. If the stains have not yet disappeared, take another piece of peel and start over.
Step 5. Take a warm bath
Another natural way to remove permanent ink from your skin is to simply soak it in hot water.
- Add a little baking soda or a few drops of tea tree oil (also known as tea tree oil) to the water to dissolve ink stains more quickly. A simple bubble bath can also be very useful.
- Keep the stained skin immersed in water for as long as possible and occasionally scrub it with a soft sponge.
Method 3 of 3: Using Creams and Lotions
Step 1. Use baby oil
The oil used after baby baths is extremely skin-friendly and is a great option if your child has been stained with the ink of a permanent marker.
- Pour a few drops of oil directly onto the blemishes, then gently scrub your skin to get rid of the ink.
- After a while, rinse the skin and repeat, if the stain has not yet disappeared.
Step 2. Use sunscreen
Most sunscreen products, especially those designed to dry quickly, contain alcohol, so you can use them to erase permanent ink.
- Spray or apply sunscreen to the ink stains and leave it on for a few moments before starting to gently scrub the area with a cotton ball or clean rag.
- As with the other methods, you may have to repeat the steps several times before the stains disappear completely.
Step 3. Use a combination of toothpaste and mouthwash
Some people claim that they have successfully removed permanent ink stains using a mixture of toothpaste and mouthwash.
- Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste (of any type) on the spots, then massage it into the skin to take advantage of its mild exfoliating action.
- Add a few drops of mouthwash and scrub the skin using a damp rag. The mouthwash contains alcohol, so it is capable of dissolving permanent ink.
Step 4. Use shaving cream
There are those who claim to have been successful in removing permanent ink stains using shaving cream. The explanation is that this substance contains a mixture of oils and soap capable of dissolving the ink.
- Apply a generous amount of shaving cream to stained skin and then let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then rub the skin with a damp cloth to promote the action of the oils and soap.
- Again, you may have to repeat the steps a couple of times before you can completely remove the ink.
Advice
- Don't worry if the ink doesn't come off completely, especially if you're planning on taking a hot bath. If the spots are recent, it will most likely be enough to rub the skin gently while in the tub to make them disappear. As an alternative to the sponge you can use a nail brush, but very gently to avoid scratching the skin. Ink blots may not completely disappear on the first try, but they will certainly become less noticeable.
- If possible, rinse your skin under running water immediately after staining yourself with the permanent marker. Also, if the methods described in the article are not enough to completely erase the stains, simply try taking a warm bath. In any case, do not worry: over time the stains will disappear.
Warnings
- Before practicing these methods, check that there are no wounds or lesions on the skin. In particular, products that contain alcohol, salt and bleach can irritate it and cause severe burning.
- Whatever the product, massage it into your skin gently so as not to irritate it, otherwise it may dry out or a rash may develop.
- If there are lesions where the skin is stained, the only products you can use safely are olive oil and baby oil.
