Tattoo Removal (Pico)
문신제거 · also: 피코 문신제거, laser tattoo removal, eyebrow tattoo removal
Picosecond lasers shatter tattoo ink into fragments small enough for the body to clear. Korea prices this well below most Western markets, which makes it tempting for visitors — but full clearance takes many sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart, so no single trip can complete it.
This breaks the skin or carries vascular/systemic risk, so a medical intake is required before treatment.
How it works
Ultra-short picosecond pulses deliver energy faster than heat can spread, so the ink particles are broken up mechanically rather than cooked. The fragments are then carried away by immune cells over the following weeks. Different pigments absorb different wavelengths, which is why multi-coloured tattoos need more sessions — and why some colours never fully clear.
Pigment laser · acts at 0.5–3 mm · deepest layer: Dermis
Where collagen and elastin live. Almost every 'skin quality' treatment is aimed here.
Depths are indicative and vary by device, cartridge, body area and individual.
Pigment laser
Very short pulses are absorbed by melanin and shatter pigment into fragments the body clears over weeks.
People choose this for
Products & devices used
Not all "Tattoo Removal (Pico)" is the same — the specific brand or machine changes the price and the feel. Common options in Korea:
Picosecond lasers for pigment, melasma and tattoo removal; low-fluence 'toning' brightens with little downtime.
What it does
- ✓Progressive fading each session
- ✓Less scarring risk than older lasers
- ✓Works on eyebrow and cosmetic tattoos
Good for you if
- •Unwanted tattoos
- •Faded or botched eyebrow tattoos
- •Fading a tattoo before a cover-up
Aftercare
- ✓Expect whitening immediately, then swelling, crusting and sometimes blisters for up to 10 days.
- ✓Do not pop blisters or pick crusts — this is where scarring comes from.
- ✓Keep it covered and moist with the ointment provided; no swimming or saunas until healed.
- ✓Absolute sun protection over the area between sessions.
Not suitable if
- !Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- !Active infection over the tattoo.
- !Keloid scarring tendency.
- !Isotretinoin use.
- !A recent tan over the area.
- !Any mole or changing lesion inside the tattoo — that needs a dermatologist's assessment first.
FAQ
Can I get this done during a two-week trip?
You can start it. You cannot finish it. Sessions need 6–8 weeks between them so the body can clear the fragmented ink, and most tattoos need at least five. Plan for repeat visits, or start in Korea and continue at home.
Why is multi-colour more expensive?
Each pigment absorbs a different wavelength, so a multi-colour tattoo needs multiple laser settings and more passes. Greens, light blues and yellows are the hardest, and some don't clear completely.
Will there be a scar?
Picosecond lasers scar much less than older technology, but the risk isn't zero — particularly with aggressive settings, dark skin, or if you pick at the healing area. Blistering and crusting for up to 10 days after a session is normal.
What about eyebrow tattoos?
Common and cheap in Korea, but be aware that some cosmetic pigments contain iron oxide and can darken paradoxically on the first pass before they lighten. A test patch is wise.
Price range by care tier
Market ranges for reference — actual quotes depend on the clinic, doctor and area.
Before you compare quotes: what this price is actually per
- Priced per treated area, and clinics define 'area' differently. Ask exactly which zones your quote covers.
- A flat per-visit price. The thing to check is how many visits the full course needs.
Priced by tattoo size per session, using units that surprise visitors — Korean menus quote by coin size and business-card area. One Seoul list ran ₩50k for a coin-sized single-colour piece up to ₩240k for a two-card multi-colour piece, and multi-colour costs roughly 1.7x single-colour for the same size. Multiply by 5–12 sessions for the real number.
- Numbing cream, usually essential here
- Dressings and healing ointment
Won prices quoted above are from a dated reference price list for one Seoul clinic chain (2026-07-24), used to show the shape of pricing — not a national average, and not a quote. Prices include 10% VAT: the foreign-patient cosmetic VAT refund ended on 31 December 2025.
How it compares
Tattoo Removal (Pico) beside the other Removal options travellers usually weigh against it.
| Comparison factor | Tattoo Removal (Pico)문신제거 | Mole & Lesion Removal점제거 / 비립종 / 쥐젖 | Laser Hair Removal제모 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best at | Cheap per session in Korea — but you can't finish on one trip | Very cheap, very quick — and a visible scab for a week | Cheap per session, but priced per area and never one visit |
| Depth reached | Dermis · 0.5–3 mm | Dermis · 0.2–2 mm | Fat layer · 1–4 mm |
| How it works | Pigment laser | Ablative laser | Non-ablative laser |
| Downtime | 3–10 days | 7–10 days | 0–1 daysleast downtime |
| Pain | |||
| Visits for full result | 5–12 visits | 1–2 visits | 6–10 visits |
| Results last | Permanent for the ink that clears | Permanent, though moles can occasionally recur | Long-term reduction; occasional top-ups |
| Trip fit | Several visits weeks apart — one trip = partial result | One visit, plus recovery days to plan around | Several visits weeks apart — one trip = partial result |
| Priced per | per area · per session | per lesion · per session | per area · per session |
| From | ₩50k–140k | ₩10k–50k | ₩12k–40k |
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