Hollywood Spectra and PicoPlus platforms fragment tattoo ink into smaller particles that the body clears naturally, with wavelength matched to ink color.
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Laser Rejuvenation
Treatment Series
Treatment Series
Laser Tattoo Removal in Seoul.
General information on tattoo removal using Q-switched and picosecond laser platforms, and how LOUAVE Dermatology Clinic approaches it. Ink color, tattoo age, density and whether the work is amateur or professional are assessed first, since these factors — more than any single setting — determine which wavelength and platform actually fits your tattoo.
This page focuses on general tattoo removal planning. LOUAVE also publishes technology-specific Hollywood Spectra Laser Toning and PicoPlus Pigmentation Treatment guides for readers comparing the Q-switched and picosecond platforms this page draws on.
Ink & Skin Assessment
Tattoo ink is usually cleared over a longer staged course than most laser treatments, with session count depending on ink color, density and depth.
Sessions typically involve immediate whitening (frosting), sometimes followed by blistering or scabbing that resolves over one to two weeks.
Ink colors respond differently to different wavelengths, so the doctor selects the platform and wavelength for your specific tattoo rather than a default setting.
Understanding Tattoo Removal
Why ink color matters more than how the tattoo looks today.
Laser tattoo removal works through photoacoustic fragmentation: a very short laser pulse shatters ink particles into smaller fragments, which the body's immune system then clears gradually over the following weeks. Different wavelengths are absorbed by different ink colors — 1064nm is generally matched to black and dark blue ink, while 532nm is generally matched to red and warm-toned ink.
Green and light blue ink are notably harder to clear with any wavelength, and some fading may plateau well short of complete removal. This is a genuine limitation of the technology, not a matter of trying harder or adding more sessions indefinitely — it is reviewed honestly at consultation rather than promised away.
Because one platform can be used several different ways, the choice between Q-switched (Hollywood Spectra) and picosecond (PicoPlus) depends on what's actually being treated. Picosecond's shorter pulse duration produces a stronger photoacoustic effect with less thermal spread, often preferred for densely layered professional tattoos or ink that hasn't fully cleared with Q-switched sessions.
Q-switched sessions remain an effective first-line option for simpler, darker, amateur tattoos with less densely layered ink. Which platform and wavelength are proposed — and how many sessions a given tattoo will likely need — is confirmed individually rather than assumed in advance.
Match the wavelength to the ink, not the ink to the wavelength.
The platform, wavelength and pulse duration used in your session follow from your tattoo's ink colors, density and depth — and whether it was applied by a professional or amateur — rather than a single default setting.
1064nm Mode
532nm Mode
Picosecond Mode
The Four Settings, Explained
Mode 01
Mode 02
Mode 03
Mode 04
Ink-matched settings, planned around an honest treatment course.
Tattoo ink most commonly needs more than one wavelength or platform across a course, since most tattoos combine several ink colors. During consultation, the doctor reviews which settings below apply to your tattoo before proposing a course.
1064nm — Black & Dark Blue Ink
The wavelength most strongly absorbed by dark ink, generally the first setting used across black and dark blue tattoo work.
532nm — Red & Warm-Toned Ink
A shorter wavelength matched to red, orange and other warm-toned ink, treated as a separate pass from dark ink within the same tattoo.
Picosecond Mode for Resistant Ink
Shorter picosecond pulses for densely layered professional work or ink that hasn't fully responded to Q-switched sessions.
Staged Multi-Session Planning
Most tattoos need several sessions spaced weeks apart to allow the body to clear fragmented ink between passes.
What Laser Tattoo Removal Addresses
Tattoo concerns, matched to a setting, not treated identically.
The concerns below give a sense of how tattoo removal is planned at LOUAVE. Each tattoo is reviewed individually for ink color, density, age and skin tone before a platform and wavelength combination is proposed.
Black & Dark Blue Ink Tattoos
The most straightforward ink colors to treat, generally responding well to 1064nm wavelength sessions over a staged course.
1064nm ModeRed & Warm-Toned Ink Tattoos
Red, orange and other warm-toned ink absorb the 532nm wavelength differently from dark ink, requiring a separate matched pass.
532nm ModeMulti-Colored & Professional Tattoos
Densely and evenly applied professional ink generally needs more sessions and often benefits from picosecond settings.
Picosecond ModeOlder, Faded Amateur Tattoos
Amateur tattoos are typically applied more superficially with less ink density, often clearing in fewer sessions than professional work.
1064nm ModeResistant Green & Light Blue Ink
These colors are notably harder to clear with any wavelength; expectations are discussed honestly before treatment begins.
Limited-Response InkFading Before a Cover-Up
Some patients want partial fading rather than full removal, to prepare an area for a new tattoo design.
Partial-Fade Planning Treatment Philosophy
Match the setting deliberately, not the same wavelength for every tattoo.
Because ink color, density and platform choice all affect how many sessions a tattoo will realistically need, the approach begins with an honest ink assessment before any wavelength is proposed.
Ink-Matched Wavelength Selection
Ink color, density, depth and whether the work is professional or amateur are reviewed together before a wavelength and platform are proposed, rather than defaulting to one setting.
Ink reviewed before wavelength is chosen
No default or one-size setting
Skin tone reviewed before treatment
Individualised, not formulaic
Preferred focus: ink-matched, realistic planning
Conservative Settings Where Skin Tone Calls For It
Because tattoo removal carries a pigment-change risk in medium-to-deeper skin tones, settings are reviewed carefully and a staged approach is preferred over aggressive early passes.
Skin tone reviewed to manage pigment risk
Reviewed before further sessions
Response checked between passes
Additional sessions expected for dense ink
Assessment focus: deliberate, tone-aware treatment
Honest About What Laser Can't Do
Laser fragments ink for the body to clear gradually; it does not guarantee complete removal for every color or every tattoo. Green and light blue ink in particular may only partially fade, and this is discussed openly before treatment begins.
Realistic expectations set upfront
Not presented as guaranteed full removal
Resistant ink colors discussed openly
Individual results still vary
Safety focus: honest expectation-setting
LOUAVE Treatment Process
A structured plan built around your tattoo's ink.
The process below applies across Hollywood Spectra and PicoPlus, from initial ink assessment through to wavelength selection, sessions and ongoing course planning.
Consultation & Ink Assessment
The doctor examines ink colors, density, depth, tattoo age and skin tone to determine which platform and wavelength combination is actually appropriate.
Ink-first assessmentPlatform & Wavelength Selection
Q-switched or picosecond platform, wavelength sequencing across ink colors, and an approximate session count are set for your specific tattoo.
Wavelength-specific planningTreatment Session(s)
The pass is delivered according to the selected wavelength, with immediate whitening (frosting) as the expected treatment endpoint.
Wavelength-matched deliveryProgress Review & Course Planning
Ink fading is reviewed after each session, with further sessions or a platform change planned based on how the ink is responding.
Ongoing progress review Results & Development
Day 0
Days 3–14
Weeks 6–8
Ongoing
Ink fades gradually, reviewed session by session.
Each session fragments a portion of the ink, which the body then clears over the following weeks — visible fading typically builds across several sessions rather than a single pass. How much a tattoo ultimately fades depends on ink color, density and depth, and is reviewed against the timeline the doctor sets out at consultation.
Treatment session
The pass is delivered according to the selected wavelength; the treated ink typically whitens (frosts) immediately, and blistering can appear within hours.
Blistering & scabbing resolve
Any blistering or scabbing over the treated ink typically resolves over one to two weeks as the immune system continues clearing fragmented ink.
Review & next session, if planned
Visible fading is reviewed at the next visit and the wavelength or platform adjusted before any further session.
Continued sessions until desired fading
Most tattoos need several sessions to reach the desired result; some ink, particularly green and light blue, may only partially clear despite a full course.
International patients planning a tattoo removal course should discuss a realistic schedule, since sessions are typically spaced six to eight weeks apart to allow the body to clear fragmented ink.
Suitability & Screening
Suitability is confirmed through an honest health review.
Treatment may be modified, delayed or declined when certain health factors are present, or when full removal isn't realistic for a particular tattoo's ink colors.
Laser tattoo removal may be discussed when:
- You have a tattoo you'd like to fade or remove, in any ink color or combination of colors.
- You are able to attend a staged course of sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart, often six or more sessions.
- You understand that complete clearance isn't guaranteed for every ink color, particularly green and light blue.
- Your skin has not had a recent aggressive laser, peel or procedure that could increase treatment risk right now.
- You do not have active, untreated skin infection or inflammation over the tattooed area.
Tell the doctor before treatment about:
- Pregnancy, planned pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Current use of isotretinoin, or other photosensitising medication.
- A history of keloid scarring, cold sores, or active skin infection in the tattooed area.
- Your natural skin tone, since tattoo removal carries a pigment-change risk, particularly in medium-to-deeper skin tones.
- Any previous laser or tattoo-removal treatment on this tattoo, including outcomes and how your skin responded.
Aftercare
Let the area heal, then attend your next session.
Follow the specific instructions provided by the treating doctor after each session, since proper aftercare supports both healing and how well the ink continues to clear between sessions.
Keep the Area Clean & Covered
Keep the treated tattoo clean and appropriately covered while any blistering or scabbing heals, following the doctor's specific instructions.
Avoid Picking at Blisters or Scabs
Blistering or scabbing over treated ink should be left to heal naturally — picking can affect how evenly the area resolves and increases scarring risk.
Strict Daily Sun Protection
Apply broad-spectrum SPF daily and limit direct sun exposure, both while healing and afterward, to protect results and reduce pigment-change risk.
Attend the Review Visit
Attend the follow-up review so the doctor can confirm healing and decide whether a further session or a wavelength change is appropriate.
Safety Information
General information, not a substitute for consultation.
This page provides general educational information about laser tattoo removal. It does not replace an individual medical consultation, and effects, recovery and the degree of clearance vary between patients and between tattoos.
Seek prompt attention for:
- Blistering, crusting, or open skin breakdown that worsens rather than settling over the expected one-to-two-week healing window.
- Pigment that appears markedly darker or lighter than expected in the weeks after a session, rather than settling on its own.
- Excessive pain, swelling, or bleeding at the treated area, beyond the mild discomfort expected after treatment.
- Signs of infection, including increasing pain, warmth, discharge or fever at the treated area.
- Any allergic reaction to topical products used as part of the treatment or aftercare, such as significant redness, swelling or itching. Rarely, some tattoo inks themselves can trigger an allergic-type reaction during treatment.
Any sign that the treated area is not healing as expected should be reported to the clinic promptly rather than waiting for the next scheduled review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about laser tattoo removal.
Ink assessment, session count, expected timelines and realistic outcomes for specific colors are confirmed during consultation.
What is Laser Tattoo Removal?
This page covers general information on tattoo removal using Q-switched (Hollywood Spectra) and picosecond (PicoPlus) laser platforms, and how LOUAVE approaches it — including how ink color and density affect wavelength and session planning.
What laser platforms are used?
LOUAVE uses Hollywood Spectra, a Q-switched laser, and PicoPlus, a picosecond laser. Both can fragment tattoo ink; which is proposed depends on your ink colors, density and how the tattoo is expected to respond.
How does the laser actually remove a tattoo?
The laser pulse fragments ink particles into smaller pieces through a photoacoustic effect. The body's immune system then gradually clears these fragments over the weeks following each session.
How many sessions are usually needed?
Treatment is typically delivered as a staged course, often six to ten or more sessions spaced roughly six to eight weeks apart. Session count depends heavily on ink color, density and whether the tattoo is professional or amateur.
Can all tattoo colors be removed equally?
No. Black and dark blue ink generally respond best. Red and warm-toned ink respond well to a matched wavelength. Green and light blue ink are notably more resistant and may only partially fade even after a full course.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt?
Most patients describe a snapping sensation stronger than typical pigment-toning treatment, and topical numbing is commonly used, particularly over larger or more sensitive areas.
What is the downtime after treatment?
Immediate whitening (frosting) is expected, and blistering or scabbing can follow within hours to days, typically resolving over one to two weeks before the area is ready for the next session.
Will the tattoo be completely gone?
Not always. Many tattoos fade substantially or clear fully over a staged course, but some ink — especially green, light blue, or very densely layered professional work — may leave visible shadowing even after many sessions.
Can this be used for tattoo modification before a cover-up?
Yes. Some patients only need partial fading to prepare an area for a new tattoo design, which typically needs fewer sessions than full removal.
Can this be combined with other treatments?
Yes. It's occasionally sequenced with skin booster treatments to support skin quality in the treated area once a removal course is complete. Combination planning is confirmed together at consultation.
International Appointment
Plan your tattoo removal around a realistic session count.
Share close-up photos of the tattoo, its approximate age, your skin type, any previous removal attempts, preferred appointment dates and your Seoul travel schedule. Since a full course often spans six or more sessions weeks apart, the doctor will help set expectations for what's achievable within your trip.
Important treatment information
This page provides general educational information about laser tattoo removal using Q-switched and picosecond laser platforms, and does not replace an individual medical consultation. Ink color, density, depth and skin tone all affect expected results and recovery; not every ink color responds the same way, and complete clearance is not guaranteed for every tattoo, particularly for green, light blue, or very densely layered professional ink. Treatment must be planned by an appropriately experienced medical professional after reviewing the tattoo's ink colors, age, size and location, skin tone, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, previous laser or removal treatments, health history, medications, allergies and informed consent. Temporary effects may include whitening (frosting), redness, swelling, blistering or scabbing in the treated area, which typically settles within one to two weeks of each session. Other possible effects include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, incomplete clearance requiring further sessions, or, uncommonly, textural change or scarring. Rare but serious complications include prolonged redness, burns, infection, unexpected scarring, permanent pigment change, and allergic reactions to topical products or, rarely, to the tattoo ink itself during treatment. Seek prompt medical advice for pigment that becomes markedly darker or lighter than expected, blistering or skin breakdown that worsens rather than settles, signs of infection, or symptoms of a significant allergic reaction. Daily sun protection is recommended both during and after a course, and results, session count, degree of clearance, and long-term stability vary by individual and cannot be guaranteed.