PicoWay Tattoo Removal —

How Effective Is It, Really?

Hello.

I'm Dr. Wi Young-jin from Beautystone Clinic.

You want to remove your tattoo —

and you've heard PicoWay is effective.

But you're not sure if it'll work for yours.

If your tattoo is dark or old,

it probably feels even more daunting.

This is one of the most common questions

I hear in the clinic.

"How many sessions will I need?" —

that's the #1 question I get.

Today, I'll share what I've learned

from performing these treatments myself —

how PicoWay tattoo removal works,

how effective it really is,

and my honest take on it.

Why PicoWay Is Effective

for Tattoo Removal

PicoWay delivers laser pulses

in picoseconds — one trillionth of a second.

Compared to traditional nanosecond lasers,

the pulse duration is over 1,000× shorter.

Why does that matter?

That intense energy, delivered in an instant,

shatters tattoo pigment particles

into much smaller fragments.

Those fragments are far easier

for your immune cells

to absorb and eliminate.

According to dermatology society guidelines,

picosecond lasers break down pigment

more efficiently than nanosecond lasers —

with less damage to surrounding tissue.

That means a lower risk of PIH

(post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation —

skin darkening after laser treatment).

For skin types with higher melanin levels,

like many Korean patients,

Dr. Wi Young-jin's Key Takeaways

Dr. Wi Young-jin's Key Takeaway

PicoWay breaks pigment into finer particles

while minimizing damage to surrounding skin —

making tattoo removal more efficient overall.

Results Vary

by Tattoo Color

Not all colors respond equally.

I think it's important to be upfront about this.

Colors that respond well:

respond well to PicoWay.Black and deep blue tones

Most cases fade significantly

within 5–8 sessions.

On the other hand,

red, yellow, and fluorescent colors absorb laser wavelengths poorly —

so residual color may remain

even after the same number of sessions.

PicoWay is a multi-wavelength device,

so it can target a range of colors.

But unique pigments like fluorescents

often require more sessions

or additional approaches.

Tattoo Color

About the Number of Sessions?

One of the most common scenarios I see:

patients who come in expecting

"3 sessions should do it, right?"

To get straight to the point,

Tattoo removal typically requires

at least 5 to 10+ sessions.

Treatment intervals matter just as much.

After each laser session,

the fragmented pigment needs time

to be cleared by immune cells —

at least 6 to 8 weeks.

Treating too soon

can cause unnecessary damage

to already-weakened skin.

From my own experience,

patients who respected proper intervals

consistently achieved cleaner results

with the same number of sessions.

Dr. Wi Young-jin's Clinical Notes

Amateur and professional tattoos differ

in pigment depth and density.

Professional tattoos have pigment

evenly embedded deep in the dermis,

requiring more sessions to clear.

On the other hand, DIY tattoos

or older tattoos may have faded pigment,

often yielding faster results than expected.

Areas with lower circulation —

like fingers and ankles —

tend to flush pigment more slowly,

meaning more sessions may be needed.

Dr. Wi Young-jin's Key Takeaways

Tattoo removal needs at least 5 sessions,

with 6 to 8 weeks between each —

that's how you get effective results.

Post-treatment care

is what determines your outcome.

After PicoWay tattoo removal,

pigment is gradually flushed from the body

over several weeks post-treatment.

UV exposure during this period

raises the risk of PIH

and uneven results —

diligent sun protection is essential.

In the days right after treatment,

scabbing may occur

at the treated area.

Picking at scabs increases the risk

of residual pigment and scarring.

Let them fall off naturally.

Patients who followed aftercare properly

consistently showed better outcomes

than those who didn't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is PicoWay tattoo removal

painful?

It varies by individual, but shorter pulses

mean less heat stimulation

compared to conventional lasers.

That said, a stinging and

burning sensation is still noticeable.

Applying numbing cream 30–40 minutes before

brings discomfort down

to a very manageable level.

Q2. How many sessions does it take

to completely remove a tattoo?

It depends on color, pigment depth,

location, and immune response —

an exact number is hard to predict.

Single-color black tattoos average 5–8 sessions;

multicolor tattoos

may require 10 or more.

Q3. Can I go about

my daily routine after treatment?

Light daily activities are fine from the same day.

However, the treated area may be red and swollen,

so it's best to plan around

busy outdoor schedules.

If you'd like to learn more

about PicoWay tattoo removal,

visit Beautystone Clinic in Hongdae, Seoul, Korea

for a personal consultation with our doctor.

We're open on Sundays too.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Picoway tattoo removal: how many sessions does it take to disappear completely?

A. It is difficult to give a definitive answer because it varies by color, depth, and area. A single black color typically requires an average of 5 to 8 sessions, while multi-colored tattoos may need 10 or more. Therefore, it is realistic to plan for at least 5 sessions.

Q. Does the color of the tattoo make it harder to remove?

A. Yes, different colors react differently. Black and dark blue ink will fade significantly after 5 to 8 sessions. However, red and brown require about 7 to 12 sessions, while yellow, fluorescent, and white ink have lower absorption rates, meaning they may require 10 or more sessions or combined treatments.

Q. How much time should I leave between Picoway tattoo removal sessions?

A. We recommend an interval of at least 6 to 8 weeks between treatments. This is because it takes about that long for the shattered pigment to be naturally cleared away by your immune cells, and undergoing another session too soon could cause damage to your weakened skin.

Q. Does PicoWay tattoo removal hurt a lot?

A. Because the pulse is shorter than conventional lasers, thermal irritation has been reduced. You may still feel a stinging and warm sensation, but applying an anesthetic cream for 30 to 40 minutes makes it quite manageable.

Colour tables show general tendencies; your own range comes from an assessment. Beautystone uses the Kirby–Desai assessment during consultation, reviewing skin type, location, ink amount, layering, scarring and colour together, to discuss expected sessions for your tattoo. It is an estimate rather than a promise, and we revise it as we see how the pigment clears. Visitors can also use it to judge how many sessions fit each trip.

Discuss expected sessions for your tattoo