A method and a composition for removing a tattoo present on a skin area after prior depilation, disinfection and a treatment to at least partially ablate the epidermis in the area of the tattoo is described, the composition having a liquid to gel-like consistency and comprising a mixture ofa) water,b) ethyl lactate,c) 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and/or d-erythro-2-aminooctadec-4-ene-1,3-diol and/or trihydroxypalmitamidohydroxypropyl myristyl ester,d) 4-hydroxybutyl-propionic acid,e) 2-hydroxybutyl-propionic acid,f) 2-trihydroxypurine andg) hydrogen peroxide.
