Dr. Lee Sang-joo conducted clinical trials of the R-Zero Technique for tattoo removal on Koreans and published the results in the Journal of the Korean Laser Medical Association.
R-Zero is a method that originated in the United States. Let's first clarify what kind of technique it is.
The Era of Only One Laser Pass Per Visit
In typical tattoo removal, a single laser pass in one session is the end of it. The next session is spaced at least 4 weeks apart. Therefore, removal usually takes several months to several years.
Even if a picosecond laser, which fires in one-trillionth of a second, shatters tattoo pigments, the white bubbles that rise to the tattoo area during the procedure can obstruct further laser penetration.
The Change Brought by the R-Zero Technique
The R-Zero Technique allows for up to four laser passes in a single session by applying a special medication to quickly remove the bubbles.
- Lettering tattoos
- Black and white tattoos
- Color tattoos
- Large tattoos
- Semi-permanent tattoos
For all these types, the number of sessions can be reduced, allowing for faster removal effects. The equipment and procedure are detailed in the R-Zero Pico-Frectat Tattoo Removal Guide.
Will Multiple Passes Damage the Skin?
Multiple passes do not inherently cause skin damage.
Scars may remain if the laser is applied with excessively high intensity, disregarding the tattoo depth and pigment amount, and not matching the skin condition.
Scars can also remain due to individual constitutional factors. Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon specializes in scar treatment, and during removal procedures, we minimize skin damage and combine it with Pinhole for Burn & Surgical Scar for scar prevention.
A Gap in Clinical Trials for Koreans
Since the R-Zero Technique originated in the United States, there were no clinical trials conducted on Koreans. Dr. Lee Sang-joo and domestic researchers gathered to conduct clinical treatments on Koreans to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the R-Zero Technique, reporting the results in the Journal of the Korean Laser Medical Association, a domestic academic journal.
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Korean participants with black and white tattoos and color tattoos |
| Treatment Interval | 4 weeks |
| Number of Sessions | Total 4 sessions |
| Applied Technique | R-Zero Technique |
| Reported In | Journal of the Korean Laser Medical Association |
The clinical trial aimed to confirm the removal efficacy and safety when applied to Koreans. The content was reported in an academic journal, and individual results and recovery progress may vary.
Continuing Forward
Yonsei Star Dermatology's Tattoo Removal Center will continue to research and learn.
If you wish to compare with other methods, please refer to Nd:YAG Tattoo Removal, and for the overall treatment flow, refer to Tattoo Removal Treatment Guide. For any questions, please leave them in Chat Now.
Authored · Medically Reviewed by Chief Director Dr. Lee Sang-joo (Dermatologist) Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine · Ph.D. in Medicine, Yonsei University Graduate School Resident in Dermatology at Severance Hospital · Current Adjunct Professor, Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine View Medical Staff Profile
First Published 2023-09-01 · Last Reviewed 2026-07-29
This article contains general medical information and does not substitute for individual diagnosis and treatment. Individual results and recovery progress may vary.