Hello. I am Dr. Lee Hye-young, director of Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon, a well-known hospital specializing in tattoo removal. Many of you may be planning to get a tattoo. Once a tattoo is etched, it requires a lot of time and effort to remove, and sometimes unexpected difficulties may arise. So today, from the perspective of a dermatologist, I will explain in detail what points to consider when getting a tattoo, keeping in mind the possibility of future removal.
Which tattoo colors are difficult to remove?
Tattoo removal works on the principle that when a laser breaks down pigments in the skin, our body's macrophages ingest them and transport them to the lymphatic vessels. However, certain colors make this process difficult, making removal very challenging.
- White or pastel-toned tattoos mixed with white: Lasers do not react well to white pigment, making removal very difficult. Therefore, if you want a color tattoo, we recommend proceeding with colors other than white.
On the other hand, black, light blue, and red are relatively easier to remove than other colors, which is good to keep in mind.
Choose your tattoo location carefully
Tattoo removal is a long-term process, taking anywhere from several months to several years. During this process, tattoos can change in appearance, which may not be aesthetically pleasing. Especially for tattoos on exposed areas, the altered appearance during the removal period is often noticeable to others, causing stress.
Also, there is a possibility of scarring depending on the individual's skin type or immune response. If scars occur in noticeable exposed areas, it can be a significant burden for both the person receiving the treatment and the practitioner. Therefore, if you are planning a tattoo, we recommend placing it in an area that can be easily covered by clothing rather than an exposed area.
If you absolutely want a tattoo on an exposed area, consider the following:
- Color: Choose colors that are relatively easy to remove, such as black, very light blue, pink, or red.
- Ink amount and depth: It is best to choose a light-colored tattoo design with a small amount of ink injected shallowly, so that it can be removed as cleanly as possible later.
Is lettering tattoo more difficult to remove?
Many people get lettering tattoos of their loved one's name or an impressive quote. Here's a question: Which of the following cases requires more tattoo removal sessions?
- Thin, dark lettering tattoo
- Light picture tattoo the size of a business card without outlines
The answer is thin, dark lettering tattoos. It's easy to think that a large picture tattoo would take longer, but in fact, to make text clear in a small space, ink must be injected deeply and darkly. Tattoos with deep and large amounts of pigment not only take a long time to remove, but also react more strongly due to the large amount of ink, increasing the likelihood of damage to surrounding skin tissue and scarring.
If a scar forms, the pigment beneath it will not respond well to the laser. In this case, the laser intensity must be increased, and there is a possibility of leaving uneven and mottled traces such as hypopigmented spots.
Therefore, if you are planning a lettering tattoo, choosing a light tattoo without outlines rather than a dark lettering tattoo that requires injecting a large amount of pigment deeply into a small space may be more advantageous for removal.
Tattoos to absolutely avoid: Cover-up tattoos
Since tattoo removal takes a long time and is expensive, many people choose cover-up tattoos to cover an undesirable tattoo with another. However, this causes great difficulty when trying to remove the tattoo later. Because the existing tattoo and the cover-up tattoo have layers of tattoo pigment stacked on top of each other, removal takes much longer and is more difficult, so it is best to absolutely avoid cover-up tattoos.
Why should you avoid tattoos on scar areas?
Some people get tattoos to cover self-harm scars or unsightly scars. However, scar tissue is not normal skin, so tattoo removal lasers do not penetrate well. Even if the laser does penetrate, the process of macrophages transporting the broken-down tattoo pigment may not be smooth. This can make it difficult to achieve satisfactory tattoo removal results.
Therefore, instead of cover-up tattoos or tattoos on scar areas, we recommend removing the original tattoo with a laser or receiving scar treatment first.
In conclusion
So far, from the perspective of a dermatologist who performs tattoo removal, I have discussed what points to consider when getting a tattoo. If you have decided to get a tattoo, please refer to the information I have provided today to make a wise choice that expresses your style and individuality while also preparing for the possibility of future removal.