Tattoo Removal Interview: Dr. Wontak Choi, Yaan Clinic 2015.06.29

Published 2015.06.29 · Updated 2026.11.06

Safe Removal Matters More Than the Tattoo Itself: Dr. Wontak Choi on Laser Tattoo Removal

Tattoos have become a form of self-expression for many young people in Korea, and demand for removal has grown alongside them as people change their minds, see colors fade or face social prejudice. In an interview with the Korean outlet Newsis Health, Dr. Wontak Choi, representative director of Yaan Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, said that removing a tattoo safely matters more than getting one. He added that removal is harder than application and calls for a specialist.

All treatments at Yaan Clinic are performed by a skilled, specialized medical team, delivering standardized, high-quality care based on the clinic's own proven clinical protocols.

Laser method

Dr. Choi explained that older removal methods used chemical or physical means that could damage skin. At Yaan Clinic, an experienced specialist uses an Nd:YAG laser, which releases high energy in an instant and breaks pigment in the dermis through a photoacoustic effect, so that pigment is removed selectively. He said the same laser is used for freckles, age spots and other blemishes.

Choosing a clinic

For readers considering removal, he gave three points:

• Choose a licensed clinic. Unlicensed studios that treat tattoos as cosmetic work carry risks of infection and lasting scars.
• Choose a doctor who understands the type and depth of the tattoo and has performed many removals.
• Make sure the clinic has proper equipment and holds a full consultation before treatment.

He said the clinic’s staff attend academic conferences, lecture and conduct research to keep standards high, and that he wants patients to leave with clean skin and feel the clinic meets their needs.

The interview also covers why the topic is timely. The report notes that tattoos were once viewed negatively but are now treated by many young people as a form of fashion, and that more of them are seeking removal. Dr. Choi said the clinic’s goal is to meet what patients actually want, since people who visit are not ill and satisfaction matters most.

Yaan Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul

Operating Hours

• Mon / Fri: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (Evening hours)
• Tue / Wed / Thu: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Sat: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Sun / Public Holidays: Closed
• Lunch Break: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Appointment Inquiries

• Phone: +82 10 5308 0499
• Address: 5, Deokbong Building, 82-gil Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Email: yaan09@naver.com