In some cases, scars, like tattoos, might carry positive memories. But in other cases, they don’t. That’s why some people wear their scars with pride, while others choose to hide them. Either choice is perfectly OK and totally up to you.
WHY?
People mainly choose to cover scars because they aren’t satisfied with their appearance, scars on your body can lower your self-esteem and confidence. Most everyone has scars, but some people are less comfortable with how they look than others. Some people are simply more comfortable hiding their scars under tattoos.
Other people have scarring after having survived an accident or a major health issue requiring surgery, like breast cancer. In these cases, getting a tattoo over scars can feel like reclaiming one’s body and self.
For example, a number of women who’ve had mastectomies say they feel more confident covering their scars with beautiful, personalized tattoos.
While it’s possible to tattoo over most scars, doing so is more challenging than tattooing over unscarred skin.
SCAR CAMOUFLAGE
Camouflage means covering your scar with a flesh-colored tattoo, it's a type of non-surgical medical procedure where a needle is inserted into the scar and deposits inks that mimic the pigment of your skin. It can come by many names, including scar camouflage, corrective pigment camouflage, and skin color tattooing, scar micropigmentation, paramedical tattooing etc.
Scar camouflage is a long-term solution that works on hiding the scar with tattoo treatment.
Scar camouflage and scar tattoo treatments involve a process that adds pigmentation to the scar via tattooing.
MICRONEEDLING
Microneedling technique is commonly performed before the scars micropigmentation/camouflage. The purpose of microneedling treatment is to generate new collagen and skin tissue for smoother, firmer, more toned skin and prepare the scar for the micropigmentation. The idea is that pinpricks from the procedure cause slight injury to the skin and that the skin responds by making new collagen-elastin-rich tissue.
HOW LONG IS THE TREATMENT AND HOW MANY TREATMENTS I NEED?
That depends of the size of the scar, texture and depth, you might need 1-4 dreatments. A consultation is necessary to analyze your scar and evaluate it.
IMPORTANT
The area must be completely healed, this can take up to 1 year. Keloid, pink or purplish scars can not be tattooed - a consultation is recommended for further instructions.
For the camouflage procedure to be successful, it is crucial that your skin isn’t tanned at the time of the treatment. This is because the ‘prescriptive’ skin-shade pigments need to be blended to match your natural skin color, not the fake tan color of your skin. If you are tanned when you get your procedure done, you’ll end up with a mismatch and your treated scar will look darker than the surrounding skin. NOTE: Implanted pigment colour does not change with your tanned skin! Using sunblock is essential.
DOWNTIME Typically the area around your treatment may be slightly red for the first 72 hours after the procedure, but after that time window the redness will go away and you can go about your business as usual.
AFTERCARE Aftercare depends of the treatment and the scar, exact instructions will be provided after the treatment.
Be aware that some pigments will appear reddish to very red during the first week, this is completely normal and will neutralize and dissipate within a week. If a Tegaderm bandage is provided leave it on the treatment area for 4-7 days without removal.
Short term care:
We advise patients to do the following for the first five to seven days after the procedure:
Keep the treatment area moist with aftercare ointment, and apply three times per day minimum. Be mindful about not double dipping into the ointment to prevent cross contamination.
Do not get the procedure site soaking wet for five to seven days and be careful when showering or washing hair. Pat dry with a tissue and then reapply the ointment.
Do not pick, peel or scratch the treatment area. This could result in pigment loss or infection, or worse, scarring. If patients really do get an uncontrollable urge to itch, a light pat to the treatment area with clean hands may help or I advise to apply more balm to lessen the tightening feeling of healing skin.
Long term care:
USE SPF! If you like to swim regularly, I advise to apply petroleum jelly over the treatment area to protect it from the chlorinated water. Chlorine can also fade the tattoo faster. A full four weeks in-between having a cosmetic tattoo and a peel/laser treatment should be left so the skin is given time to heal.
The Don’ts While Healing
Do not allow pets to lick or be near your treatment area
Do not touch or allow others to touch your treatment area during healing
Do not apply makeup directly to your treatment area for 2 weeks
Do not use any cleansing products containing acids (glycolic, lactic, or AHA), or exfoliants on your treatment area
Do not apply sunscreens, go in direct sun, use tanning beds, or self-tanners on your use tanning beds, or self-tanners on your treatment area
Do not go into swimming pools, oceans, hot tubs, saunas, or hot steamy showers
Do not get dirt (as in gardening) near your treatment area
Do not do activities in which you will perspire for the first 7 days
Do not be alarmed if pigment comes off while cleansing or applying aftercare ointments
Do not use topical antibiotics in your treatment areas
Please contact us for any questions you have info@optibrowpmu.com
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