Please check this first before reading

Q. When I went in for a consultation,

they immediately recommended a "10-session package."

Is that normal?

A. Honestly, that leans closer to standardized, average sales tactics.

If a clinic locks in the number of sessions without a proper prior assessment,

it means they are completely overlooking variables

such as ink color or necessary touch-ups.

Q. If it is the same Picoway laser,

why are the results so different from clinic to clinic?

A. The results differ entirely based on the skill of operating the handpieces (Toning vs. Zoom)

and the accuracy of designing the treatment plan sessions.

Even with the exact same equipment,

the outcome varies dramatically depending on the expertise of the practitioner.

Does Picoway seem all pretty much the same to you?

Actually, here is the truth.

Picoway is a device that shoots laser beams

at a speed of one-trillionth of a second

to shatter tattoo ink into microscopic particles.

Using three wavelengths—1064nm, 785nm, and 532nm—

it can target various colors

ranging from black

all the way to yellow.

Unlike other pico lasers,

the distinct feature of Picoway is

that it utilizes different handpieces

specifically designed for Toning and Zoom.

Why does tattoo removal take only 5 sessions for some,

while others need 12 sessions?

Dr. Wi Young-jin's

Key Insight

 

Before asking "How many sessions will it take?"

please check whether they assess your tattoo

using the Kirby-Desai scale first.

 

Any clinic that estimates the number of sessions without an assessment

is highly likely running a sales pitch that ignores individual variables.

Removing a tattoo is like carefully filtering

individual grains of sand out of muddy water.

Once we shatter the ink particles finely, our body's immune cells

naturally clear them out of the system.

Elements like color, depth, ink density, and skin tone

are completely unique to every individual.

That is why in the medical community,

we use a evaluation tool called

the 'Kirby-Desai scale.'

A 45-year-old client who visited us last year

received 5 sessions at another clinic after being told "10 sessions is all it takes," but not even half of it was removed.

Upon re-evaluation, we found that due to ink density and the depth,

this was a case that required at least 12 sessions or more.

Picoway needs to target the deep ink layers

using the Zoom handpiece,

but if a clinic only repeats Toning, the session count only increases

and you end up wasting your money.

Dr. Wi Young-jin's Key Takeaway

If you get an immediate number in response

to the question "How many sessions will it take?"—

that is marketing, not a medical evaluation.

You should look for a clinic that scores your tattoo properly

and meticulously designs a plan combining both Toning and Zoom treatments.

How to find a great tattoo removal clinic:

Check these 5 things

Particularly, please make sure to check if the doctor closely observes the fading pattern

at every single session and adjusts the laser energy settings accordingly.

Top 3 Questions

Most Frequently Asked in the Consultation Room

Q1. Is it okay if I ask, "Please evaluate me

using the Kirby-Desai scale"?

A. Absolutely. From a physician's standpoint,

we are more than happy to meet a client who has done their research.

If a clinic seems flustered by that question,

it is proof that they are simply planning sessions based on an average estimate.

Q2. Pay-per-session vs. Package, which is better?

A. If it is a mono-colored,

small-sized tattoo, a package option can be beneficial.

However, if it is a multi-colored or large tattoo,

paying per session is much safer

as it allows us to adjust treatments flexibly while monitoring your progress.

Q3. I got blisters or hyperpigmentation

after my session. Is this normal?

A. Small blisters can be within the normal range of recovery.

However, if oozing persists or

if pigmentation spreads to surrounding areas,

it could be a sign that the laser energy was too strong or post-care was lacking.

You should visit the clinic for a checkup immediately.

If you take away just one piece of advice today—

please do not ask about the number of sessions first.

Check if they use a verified prior evaluation tool first.

In our next post,

we will guide you on 'How to personally apply

the 6 criteria of the Kirby-Desai scale to your own tattoo.'

Warm regards, Dr. Wi Young-jin.

Recommended Readings

• For those considering tattoo removal in Hongdae or Hapjeong, Dr. Wi Young-jin provides answers.

• Tattoo removal for $30 per session? "You might get scammed once you calculate the total cost."

• How many sessions does it on average take for Picoway tattoo removal?