Hello, I am Lee Sang-ju, a dermatologist. When I listen to people looking for a hospital for tattoo removal, many compare various options and spend two to three months or more searching for the right treatment method and hospital. So today, I would like to compare and explain common questions about tattoo removal to help those considering it make a wise decision.
Why should you remove a tattoo quickly?
If you don't like your tattoo, I recommend removing it as soon as possible. If a laser is applied before the tattoo wound heals, the tattoo ink can exit more quickly through that opening.
Some people worry that applying a laser when the wound is not visible could leave a significant scar, so they prefer to receive removal treatment 3 to 6 weeks after the tattoo procedure. However, this can block the openings through which tattoo ink can exit, potentially reducing the treatment effect.
In particular, effectively removing tattoo ink early with a laser to minimize scarring is a core know-how of the practitioner. Through our know-how, we can treat tattoos quickly with minimal scarring.
Pico Nd vs. Pico Sure, which laser is better?
Pico ND and Pico Sure can be considered the two major pillars of tattoo lasers today. Pico Sure was the first device developed, while Pico ND can be thought of as a relatively newer device. Both devices share the same basic principle: they effectively remove tattoo pigment by breaking it into tiny particles in picoseconds (one trillionth of a second).
If asked which laser is better, I would choose the recently released Pico ND. For tattoo removal lasers, a shorter Pulse Duration yields better results, and Pico ND has the shortest pulse duration among existing picosecond lasers. The shorter the duration, the more finely the tattoo pigment can be broken down, so the effect is bound to be better.
Furthermore, for colored tattoos, specific wavelengths must be used depending on the color for better removal. Pico ND can use as many as 10 wavelengths, allowing for customized treatment based on color, such as black tattoos or colored tattoos, which leads to high patient satisfaction. Picosecond lasers selectively and cleanly remove pigment without damaging the surrounding skin, making them laser devices that minimize side effects and maximize effectiveness.
However, due to the biggest difference between Pico ND and Pico Sure, for sky blue tattoos, while Pico ND is effective, Pico Sure may be more suitable for customized treatment for this specific color.
R-Zero Technique, multiple effects with one treatment?
To briefly explain the R-Zero Technique, it is a procedure that allows tattoo removal treatment, which was previously only possible once per session, to be performed up to four times by applying a special solution. Many people ask if they can truly see the effect of four treatments in one session.
The R-Zero Technique can show at least two to three times more treatment effect compared to conventional methods. Therefore, when comparing 12 sessions of general treatment with 4-5 sessions of the R-Zero Technique, the R-Zero Technique generally shows a greater effect.
Tattoo removal pain, how much does it hurt?
One of the most common questions I receive regarding tattoo removal is, 'How much does it hurt?' Because there's so much talk about tattoo removal pain, many people worry even before the procedure, and some even worry while lying on the treatment bed. In fact, the degree of pain varies from person to person, so it's difficult to definitively say 'how much it hurts.' However, I can describe what kind of pain it is.
People often think that tattoo removal pain is due to the heat of the laser, but that's not actually the case. Pain from heat feels hot, whereas the pain after a tattoo laser procedure feels like something cold is tearing. This pain occurs because the exploding tattoo pigment particles slightly irritate the surrounding flesh.
Nevertheless, low-pain tattoo removal technology is continuously developing, so you don't need to worry about the pain in advance. If we assume that tattoo removal pain is currently a 10, our clinic uses a low-pain air cooling system to reduce the pain to about 3 to 5, so you don't have to worry too much about the pain.
Large tattoos and cover-up tattoos, what is the removal difficulty?
Both are very difficult to remove. However, if we compare a large tattoo the size of an A4 sheet and a cover-up tattoo that has been layered about three times, which are the two most challenging types of tattoos, the cover-up tattoo is much more difficult.
- Large Tattoos: There is no significant difference in principle from other tattoos, except that the treatment time is longer due to the larger size of the tattoo.
- Cover-up Tattoos: These must be treated according to the colors, and since they have been layered multiple times, it is a treatment that involves peeling off layer by layer, so a very large number of treatment sessions are required.
However, what I can say for certain is that both cases are difficult and may require long treatment times, but with consistent treatment, they can be removed. Therefore, I hope you do not give up on tattoo removal due to the thought, 'It won't work for tattoos.'
Advice for smart tattoo removal
So far, I have compared and explained the aspects of tattoo removal that many people research and are curious about. Getting a tattoo is easy, but removing it is difficult and takes a long time. Therefore, you need to make a more careful choice. I hope the information I provided today will be of some help in choosing equipment or a clinic if you are considering tattoo removal. If you have any other questions, please consult a specialist.