Scar Camouflage Tattoo

Many kinds of scars can develop anywhere on the skin. The color and texture changes over time. There are many causes for scars in our skin, including:

• Recreational or occupational laceration or trauma injury
• Stretch Marks
• Surgery
• Vitiligo
• Harm to self

When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it’s usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin. Darker skin types will also form scars which are darker or lighter than surrounding skin.

Often, the final appearance of a scar will cause the individual to lose self-confidence and be troubled or self-conscious.

If you have a scar which does not match the color of the surrounding skin, scar camouflage may be right for you.

Scar, stretch mark or Vitiligo camouflage tattoo uses a specialized technique that is nearly identical to traditional tattoo methods. Both the pigments and needle depth are similar to common tattoo processes. The difference between camouflage and traditional tattoo is that traditional tattoo aims to create designs that stand out and contrast next to the skin, whereas camouflage tattoo aims to blend or cover areas of the skin that stands out. This is done by adding the color of the surrounding skin to the scar.

Camouflage Tattoo is a form of “paramedical tattoo”, and it is an increasingly popular alternative in some cases to surgical procedures. It is best to obtain a plastic surgeons opinion who understand all options for scar management before deciding what is best for you

Depending on the scar, multiple separate sessions may be required. An electric machine with a fine precision needle is used for the procedure. After carefully mixing a selection of custom formulated ink/pigments mixed specifically to match your skin, small dots are rapidly deposited into the dermis.  The result: an incredibly natural and realistic continuation of your beautiful skin, concealing unwanted scars, stretch marks, or Vitiligo.

Whenever the needle penetrates the skin, it carries the ink/ pigment into the dermis. With no way to dispose of the pigment, the dyes remain visible through the scar or skin. These visible pigments are what makes tattoos permanent.

Camouflaging for scars and stretch marks is often good for:

• anyone over 18
• scars or stretch marks that have well healed
• any color or skin type
• anyone who is not pregnant or breastfeeding

If you have Vitiligo, scars, or stretch marks that are lighter in color than surrounding skin.

The pigments used in camouflage tattoo are different from those used in micropigmentation. The pigments used in camouflage tattoo are insoluble, as opposed to those that are used in the micropigmentation that are, with time, absorbed by the body.

The technique used in camouflage involves introducing ink pigment into the deep dermis with the aid of needles and the pigments are retained in the skin.

By contrast, in micropigmentation, the pigments are deposited in the upper dermis. The epidermis undergoes constant cellular renewal, which causes the pigment to disappear over time.

Camouflage tattoo is therefore understood to be more permanent than micropigmentation.

Because pigments used in camouflage tattoo are non-soluble, and because they are embedded into the dermis, they last much longer and should be expected as permanent.

The pigments used in camouflage tattoo are also less sensitive to sun exposure and, they should not change.

Scar camouflage tattoo is not an alternative for those who will clearly benefit from plastic surgical scar revision. You will only know this if you consult a plastic surgeon who understands both options. Scar contractures, bands, or long scars that could be “broken” into segments should be treated with surgical revision.

In many cases, it is not so much that a camouflage tattoo is a better alternative because of cost or being “non surgical”, rather because there are situations where the result will be superior. There are situations where scar revision will not result in a better scar. For example, a color mismatch in the original scar would be expected in the revised scar as well. Often these are the best scars for a scar tattoo which can create a better cosmetic result than revision.

Finding your skin type is one of the first steps to select the correct ink to match your skin. The most common classification model is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type model. The Fitzpatrick Skin Type model is still widely used for dermatological research and care.

Determining your skin color can help/assist your Artist/Surgeon choose the right permanent makeup pigments. Locating your skin type can sometimes be done using resources like the chart above, but it is better to consult with a trained physician or professional.