Not only celebrities and athletes, but also ordinary people are getting tattoos more often. As a result, inquiries from those who wish to remove them have also increased.
We have summarized three things to consider before starting tattoo removal.
Three things to check first
The following items should be considered when contemplating tattoo removal treatment:
- Type of tattoo
- Treatment equipment
- Practitioner's experience
These three are not independent of each other. The type of tattoo determines the choice of equipment, and ultimately, it is a person who operates the equipment.
Difficulty varies depending on the type of tattoo
Color tattoos, such as green, blue, red, or yellow, are more challenging to remove than simple black and white tattoos. Lettering tattoos, due to their higher ink volume compared to other tattoos, may take longer to remove.
| Check Item | Impact on Removal Plan |
|---|---|
| How deeply the pigment was injected | Irradiation depth and number of sessions |
| Which colors were mixed and used | Wavelength selection |
| How much ink was used | Total duration |
Even for tattoos of the same size, if these three items differ, the plan will be completely different.
What the equipment does
Tattoo removal works by using a laser to break down pigment particles in the skin, and then the body's macrophages remove the ink, causing the tattoo to fade.
Among many lasers, using equipment that emits multiple wavelengths, such as PicoWay Laser, allows for selecting the appropriate wavelength for the tattoo color.
Equipment configuration can be found in R-Zero Pico-Frectat Tattoo Removal Guide, and other methods can be found in Nd:YAG Tattoo Removal.
Same equipment, different results
The third factor is the practitioner's experience. Even with the same equipment, different levels of experience can lead to variations in results.
The equipment does not make decisions about reading pigment depth or setting irradiation intensity. Receiving treatment from an experienced dermatologist may lead to better results.
How to distinguish a clinic with a board-certified dermatologist
You can distinguish this to some extent just by looking at the sign.
- If the practitioner is not a specialist, the clinic may append a specialty in parentheses after 'Clinic' or use 'Clinic'.
- A clinic with a board-certified dermatologist will be labeled as 'Dermatology Clinic'.
Things to organize before starting
What type of tattoo you have, what equipment and wavelength will be used, and who will perform the procedure. Confirming these three points during consultation will make your plan much clearer. Individual results may vary.
The overall treatment flow is summarized in Tattoo Removal Treatment Guide.
Authored and Medically Reviewed by Jinmun Kang, Chief Director (Board-Certified Dermatologist) Currently an Adjunct Professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine, Department of Dermatology Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine · Completed Dermatology Residency at Severance Hospital · Served as Professor at Bundang CHA Hospital Member of the Korean Society for Medical Lasers View Medical Staff Profile
First Published 2025-03-21 · Last Reviewed 2026-07-29
This article contains general medical information and does not substitute for individual diagnosis and treatment. Results and recovery may vary by individual.