Lettering tattoos and hand-poked line tattoos are common types for removal inquiries. However, some people give up midway due to incorrect information found online, which they accept as fact, without being able to easily ask in the consultation room.
Let's address some common misunderstandings about lettering tattoo removal one by one.
The Body's Process of Tattoo Fading
Tattoos can change color and fade slightly over time. This is because immune cells called macrophages in our body gradually consume small pigment particles. However, at that rate, it generally lasts a lifetime.
Laser tattoo removal accelerates this process. PicoWay lasers, operating in picoseconds (one trillionth of a second), break down pigments into smaller fragments, inducing macrophages to absorb and transport them more quickly. Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon Tattoo Removal Center uses PicoWay equipment.
After irradiation, a white bubble layer forms, making it difficult to repeatedly irradiate with the laser. This is why tattoo removal used to take a long time.
Will Fine Black Lettering Fade Quickly?
Many people think that lettering tattoos, being fine and black, will fade the fastest. This is not actually the case.
Shaded pictorial tattoos have both dark and light areas. In contrast, lettering tattoos are entirely dark black. This is because a large amount of pigment is injected deeply into a small space to complete the lettering.
Therefore, lettering tattoo removal can take longer than shaded tattoos. Pictorial tattoos consisting only of sketch lines also tend to fade similarly slowly.
We recommend taking your time and allowing for a long period for removal.
Is the Remaining Brown Mark Undone?
Some people are concerned about a brown mark remaining after being told that removal is complete. If the pigment has not fully faded, the color of the tattoo ink will still be visible. Areas where all the ink has been removed will appear only as light brown.
This is similar to the progression of a bruise. When a wound heals, it first appears red, then turns brown over time, and eventually returns to skin color.
- If a light brown mark remains, the laser will no longer react even if irradiated strongly.
- At this point, you may stop the removal treatment.
- The brown color will naturally return to the original skin color over time.
- If you wish to lighten it faster, you can receive assistance from Pico·Dual·Gold-Diamond Toning.
Will Multiple Irradiations at Once Cause Scars?
To compensate for the limitation that repeated irradiation is difficult once bubbles appear, Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon uses a special PFD medication to perform R-Zero Pinhole Technique, allowing up to four removal sessions in a single visit.
You might be concerned about the phrase "four times at once," but it is not applied four times to all skin types.
| Assessment Item | Method |
|---|---|
| Skin sensitivity | Adjust laser power within a maximum of 4 sessions |
| Skin type | Apply different irradiation intensities for each individual |
| When skin strain is expected | Reduce the number of sessions |
Based on years of accumulated experience in scar treatment, we proceed while minimizing blistering. Scar prevention methods are summarized in the Pinhole for Burn & Surgical Scar guide.
Can I Remove a Tattoo That Was Recently Done?
If you don't like a new tattoo and want to remove it immediately, you are often told it's possible after 4 to 6 weeks. Yonsei Star Dermatology Tattoo Removal Center recommends visiting as soon as possible to begin removal.
This is because it is reported that irradiating with a laser before the wound from the tattoo treatment heals can cause the pigment to fade faster, leading to a higher removal effect. Some people worry that irradiation before healing might lead to scars, but if you receive treatment from a dermatologist who understands scars and tattoo removal, it can be done in a way that avoids scarring.
For the overall treatment flow, please refer to Tattoo Removal Treatment Guide, and for individual consultations, please use Inquire via chat now. Results may vary by individual.
Authored and Medically Reviewed by Representative Director Kang Jin-moon (Dermatologist) Dermatologist · Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine · Resident in Dermatology at Severance Hospital Member of the Korean Dermatological Association · Korean Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery · Korean Society for Aesthetic and Dermatologic Surgery View Medical Staff Profile
First Published 2023-10-25 · 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.