Pico laser isn't always best for tattoos. Know your ink or waste money. Find out why.
Hapjeong Tattoo Removal,
Pico vs Nano (Nd:YAG)
— Which one is right for my tattoo?
When the weather warms up and short sleeves come out,
many people find themselves worrying more deeply.
After seeing the tattoo on their upper arm in photos,
they decide, "I have to remove it this year."
and more people are coming in for consultations.
Before your consultation,
let’s start with answers to the 3 most common key questions.
📌 Key Checks Before Treatment
Q. Is the pico laser
always better?
In general, pico is the better option.
You can think of it that way.
(Though in some cases, it may not be.)
Q. How many sessions
does it take to remove it?
Depending on ink amount and skin type,
it can vary widely from 4 sessions to 15+ sessions.
Q. Are costs different in
Hapjeong/Hongdae?
More than location, device type and tattoo size
are what determine the price.
1. Pico Laser
vs Nd:YAG: The Differences
The biggest misconception is
"newest equipment is always the best."
These two devices differ from the very
principle of how they break down ink.
Category | Pico Laser | Nano (Nd:YAG) |
Operating method | Physically shatters into finer particles | Shatters into larger particles |
Ink colors | Color tattoos, multi-color ink | Black, dark single-color |
Skin damage | Less thermal damage | Possible accumulation of thermal damage |
Recommended cases | Hard-to-remove color tattoos | Shallow amateur tattoos |
What matters more than the device name is
using the right wavelength
for your tattoo condition.
2. Why is it hard
to give an exact number of sessions?
Tattoo removal
is not a one-session magic trick.
There are many factors
that affect removal speed.
Ink color
Yellow and white are very difficult.
Ink depth
Tattoos done by tattooists are often very deep.
Tattoo age
Older tattoos have more dispersed particles, so they take longer.
Skin type
It is harder to selectively target ink in darker skin.
Treatment energy
If the energy is too low, only the number of sessions increases.
Usually, small single-color tattoos take 4–6 sessions,
while color artistic tattoos often require 10–15+ sessions.
👨⚕️ Director Wi Youngjin’s Clinical Note:
Some patients come in saying they had multiple sessions
at other clinics
but saw no fading at all.
In most cases, out of fear of scarring,
the energy was set far too low.
Then the number of sessions just increases,
and only your wallet gets thinner.
Minimizing skin damage while
reliably breaking down ink means finding
the maximum safe energy level.
That is exactly the doctor’s skill.
3. Hapjeong/Hongdae Tattoo Removal
Cost Criteria
Costs are mainly determined
by 3 factors.
[ Tattoo size + Device type + Whether it is colored ]
Pico lasers are expensive devices,
so the per-session cost is higher than Nd:YAG.
However, if the total number of sessions can be reduced,
the overall total cost
can ultimately be more reasonable with pico laser.
⚠️ Before treatment,
make sure to check this!
More important than equipment
is 'who performs the procedure.'
Tattoo removal requires watching real-time skin reactions
and finely adjusting energy levels.
Be sure to confirm whether it is a place where the director personally plans and performs the treatment.
ㅇWhat brand of pico device they have
ㅇWhether they have wavelengths for various colors
ㅇWhether they honestly explain the risk of scarring
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can scars
remain?
Yes, if thermal damage accumulates,
it can happen.
That’s why keeping sufficient intervals between sessions (4–8 weeks)
is the best way to prevent scarring
and improve results.
Q2. Do you also
see patients on Sundays?
Yes, Beautystone Clinic in Hapjeong
offers Sunday appointments.
Even those available only on weekends
can visit comfortably.
Q3. Can semi-permanent eyebrow tattoos
also be removed?
Yes, it is possible.
However, after laser reaction,
a paradoxical color change
may occur,
so it is safest to proceed after a test.
If you have questions, send me a WhatsApp message,
and I will personally review your photos and consult you.
This was Dr. Wi Youngjin
from Beautystone Clinic, Hapjeong.
✦ Read Together
Red residual marks after eyebrow tattoo removal: 3 causes and solutions
How many sessions for irezumi tattoo removal? Around 15 sessions on average
Color tattoo removal with PicoWay: an honest comparison of removal rates by color
How many days should you keep DuoDERM on? Complete guide to replacement intervals
Contouring & Volume
레디어스와 쥬베룩, 콜라겐 부스터 하나만 골라야 한다면 어떻게 정할까요?
콜라겐 부스터로 레디어스와 쥬베룩을 두고 고민이라면, 재료 차이부터 시술자 실력이 중요한 이유까지 짚어봤어요.
Lifting
Potenza Prep: When to Stop Retinol & Waxing
Booked a Potenza session? Here's a day-by-day countdown for pausing retinol, exfoliating acids, waxing, and self-tanner before your appointment.
Lifting
How Early to Book Oligio X Before an Event
Planning Oligio X around a wedding or a holiday photo? Here's how far ahead to book, what shows up at one week and one month, and when to wait.
skin
여름 지나 스킨부스터, 언제 시작하면 좋을까요
지금 피부가 회복 모드인지 자극 모드인지로 스킨부스터 시작 시점을 판단하는 방법과 상담 전 자가 점검 항목을 정리했어요.
skin
샤워와 세안 물 온도, 어느 정도가 좋을까요
뜨거운 물이 피지막에 어떻게 작용하는지부터 손등으로 미온수를 가늠하는 방법까지, 매일 반복되는 씻기 습관을 순서대로 정리했어요.
Lifting
Sofwave for Nasolabial Folds: What Changes
Nasolabial and marionette shadows come from loose skin, lost volume, or both. Here's how deep Sofwave works and when filler fits better.