Hello. I am Lee Sang-ju, a dermatologist. Many people believe that color tattoos are harder to remove and require a longer treatment period than black and white tattoos. I've heard that many people are curious about Yonsei Star Dermatology's ability to effectively remove color tattoos. Today, we will take some time to explore effective color tattoo removal methods and address related questions.
Why is color tattoo removal more challenging?
Color tattoos are generally more difficult to remove cleanly compared to black and white tattoos. The treatment period tends to be longer, and it can be considered a challenging treatment. Due to these characteristics, our clinic has undergone numerous clinical trials to find and apply the most effective methods for color tattoo removal.
Three key factors for effective color tattoo removal
When removing color tattoos, it is advisable to keep the following three points in mind:
1. Selecting a laser device with a short pulse width
Those who have researched tattoo removal have likely heard that PicoWay Laser is very effective. PicoWay Laser works by breaking down pigment into tiny particles using picosecond (one trillionth of a second) pulses. However, not all PicoWay Laser devices have the same performance. Even among PicoWay Laser devices, a shorter pulse width, meaning a shorter irradiation time, can break down tattoo particles more finely, leading to much better results. Among existing PicoWay Laser devices, the one with the shortest pulse width is known to be PicoWay. For difficult-to-remove color tattoos, we recommend using the PicoWay Laser if possible.
2. Applying customized wavelengths for each color
Another important condition for color tattoo treatment is whether the practitioner can use appropriate wavelengths according to the tattoo's color. In other words, a laser with various handpieces can effectively remove multiple colors. The PicoWay Laser used at our clinic has four handpieces for different colors, allowing for customized removal. For example, the following wavelengths are used:
- Black, brown: 1064nm handpiece
- Sky blue, green, blue, purple: 730nm handpiece
- Red, orange: 532nm handpiece
3. Efforts to reduce the number of treatment sessions
The outcome of color tattoo removal can also depend on how effectively the number of removal sessions can be shortened. While there can be differences depending on how deeply the tattoo artist injected the pigment, what colors were mixed, and how much was used, color tattoos generally require about 1.5 times more treatment sessions than black and white tattoos, although this varies by color. Since tattoo removal is usually performed once a month, it can take dozens of months if the tattoo does not fade easily. In such cases, the longer duration increases the likelihood of giving up midway. Therefore, a method like the R-Zero Technique, which allows for up to four removal sessions at once, is needed to achieve quick results and significantly reduce the treatment period.
The R-Zero Technique is a method that extends the number of possible laser passes from one to three or four by applying Perfluorodecalin (PFD) solution, overcoming the limitation of conventional tattoo removal where immediate re-treatment was difficult due to the bubble foam generated during laser irradiation. When using the R-Zero Technique for color tattoo removal, the number of tattoo removal sessions can be reduced by more than half, leading to very high satisfaction.
Particularly difficult colors to remove and the trap of cover-up tattoos
While color tattoo removal is generally not easy, some colors are particularly difficult to remove. Black or dark colors fade better than other colors, while white, flesh-toned, or yellow colors do not fade well. This is also why I particularly discourage cover-up tattoos. Caution is needed when covering up a failed tattoo with yellow, flesh-toned, or white ink. Many people, knowing that tattoo removal usually takes several months or more, cover up their tattoos with colors similar to their skin tone all at once. Immediately after a cover-up tattoo, satisfaction is high because the tattoo is hidden, but this tattoo is not permanent, and over time, the color changes, creating a greater discrepancy with the actual skin color, eventually leading many to visit the clinic for tattoo removal.
In such cases, white tattoos are one of the most difficult colors to remove, so the tattoo removal period, which could have ended in a few months, may more than double. Therefore, special attention should be paid.
Methods to reduce pain and minimize pigmentation
You don't need to worry that color tattoo removal will be more painful. At our clinic, we have introduced a low-pain air cooling system, allowing most tattoo removal procedures to be performed without applying topical anesthetic cream. The majority of patients find the pain tolerable, and those who have fear or burden regarding tattoo removal pain can proceed without difficulty by applying topical anesthetic cream. Additionally, when removing color tattoos, it is important to choose a laser that can perform various pigment treatments to minimize the possibility of pigmentation that may occur during the procedure.
In conclusion
We have addressed various questions related to color tattoo removal. Color tattoos can certainly be removed with patience and consistent treatment. However, since it requires a long battle, please remember that how effectively the practitioner shortens the time and delivers satisfying results with effective methods and expertise makes the difference in the final outcome.