WHAT IS SCAR CAMOUFLAGE? 

Skin or scar camouflage is tattooing of the skin with different colors of flesh-tone pigments. Its purpose is to disguise a scar or skin area that is missing pigment or color. This process is also called Corrective Pigment Camouflage (CPC), Skin Re-pigmentation, Skin Camouflage, Camouflage Tattooing, and Skin Color Tattooing. 

Scar Camouflage is a way to add color to a scar, such as an operated area of the areola, nipple, or other scars by implanting color under the skin. By putting pigment into scars, it can either be used to create an image, such as nipple-areola tattoos, or it can be used to conceal scars. This procedure is completely customized for each client to ensure natural-looking and undetectable results.

WHAT IS AREOLA TATTOOING?

Areola Tattooing is a restorative type of tattooing that involves creating hyper-realistic renderings of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). This is a permanent tattoo service for anyone who may require re-pigmentation of the area including breast cancer survivors who have undergone mastectomies, trans or non-binary clients who have had top surgery, those with very little pigment naturally, and anyone else who may have received some form of breast surgery. This procedure is completely customized for each client to ensure natural-looking results.

NIPPLE & AREOLA ENHANCEMENT RISKS

Micropigmentation carries risks, including infection, allergic reactions, granulomas, and keloid formations. Keep in mind that certain products — such as those containing aloe vera, Retin A, or glycolic acid — can cause your tattoo to fade more quickly. In fact, the pigment will fade by about 50 percent after the first week of treatment and may require a touch-up yearly — especially if you are fair-skinned.

ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR SCAR CAMOUFLAGE?

You might be a candidate if you meet the criteria below. Your scar should be:

• Healed & No Longer Pink Or Changing Color: If your scar is red, pink, or still changing color, the scar tissue may still be healing. An experienced cosmetic tattoo artist will not work prematurely on scar tissue because it may cause further damage to the skin; which is why your scar should be at least 12 months old with stable color.

• Smooth & Relatively Flat: Unfortunately, camouflage tattooing cannot disguise or correct extreme changes in skin texture. If your scar tissue or surface area is irregular or raised, the process may not be effective. 

• Without Dark Edges: People with dark edges or borders around a scar indicate Post Inflammatory Hyper-pigmentation (PIH); and it is possible that the camouflage tattooing process may increase hyper-pigmentation and create a wider, darker border. The risk of this happening is usually greater with darker skin tones.

POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Have Realistic Expectations: The camouflage tattooing process will not “erase” a scar or skin anomaly so it appears completely gone and the area looks “perfect” again. It improves color differences to help disguise the scar and make it less noticeable to others. 

• Tanning: The pigment in the tattoo will not darken if it is exposed to sunlight or tanning booths, so the tattoo may appear lighter if the surrounding skin tans. When the tattoo color matches tanned skin, it may appear darker once the surrounding tanned skin fades. Therefore, if you spend time outdoors, you will need to adjust your lifestyle or decide to match the tattoo to “winter” or “summer” skin and live with the changes in between.

• Do Not Expect Results In Right Away: Camouflage re-pigmentation is a process, not a one-time “cure”. The area will look dark and red immediately after a tattooing session, and then it takes several weeks to show the healed color (or not). This requires time and patience.

Just like all tattooing processes here at Ivey Artistry, Areola & Scar Camouflage procedures are completely customized for each client to ensure the best natural-looking results.

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