Camouflage tattoos don’t tan… and neither do scars and stretch marks!

You may have noticed that your scars or stretch marks never change colour, no matter how much your skin tans. In fact, they often become more visible when you tan due to the increased contrast between the surrounding skin and the scar tissue.

Scar tissue often doesn't pigment because it lacks the normal structure and cells found in healthy skin, particularly melanocytes, which are responsible for producing melanin—the pigment that gives skin its colour. Here are a few key reasons why scars don’t tan:

1. Loss of Melanocytes: Scar tissue forms after an injury to the skin, and during the healing process, melanocytes, the cells responsible for pigment, may not fully regenerate. This lack of melanocytes leads to the scar being lighter or not tanning when exposed to the sun.

2. Collagen Organization: The arrangement of collagen fibers in scar tissue differs from normal skin. Healthy skin has a more organized collagen structure, while scar tissue forms thicker, more disorganized layers. This difference may impede the production or distribution of melanin.

3. Lack of Blood Supply: Scar tissue often has reduced blood circulation compared to normal skin. This can affect how the skin responds to external factors like UV exposure, further preventing the area from tanning.

4. Hypopigmentation: In some cases, scar tissue can experience hypopigmentation, meaning it doesn't produce as much melanin as surrounding areas. This is common in both hypertrophic (raised) and atrophic (sunken) scars, making them appear lighter or resistant to tanning.

Can Inkless tattoo also help scars tan or only pigment camouflage tattoo?

Treatments like Inkless tattooing can often naturally stimulate melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. By triggering the skin’s natural healing response, these treatments encourage the new and healthy production of collagen, elastin, and in some cases, melanin. Inkless tattooing involves creating controlled micro-injuries with the tattoo needles in the skin and applying a serum to boost this healing effect. This can help restore pigmentation in scars and stretch marks, making them blend better with your natural skin tone over time. Results can vary depending on skin type, but these treatments are worth considering if you're seeking more natural healing without tattoo pigment added.

If the scars or stretch marks don’t naturally re-pigment on their own after Inkless tattoo, we can colour match your skin with skin toned pigments and provide pigment camouflage tattoo. This technique is especially effective in reducing the contrast between lighter scar tissue and your natural skin tone.

🚨It’s important to note that Paramedical tattooing does not remove scars—it improves their appearance. While it helps blend scars with surrounding skin and boosts skin health, some scar tissue will always remain. Inkless tattoo will improve skin health by triggering the body’s natural healing response, promoting the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin firmness and elasticity. These treatments can also enhance hydration, improve skin texture, and increase blood circulation in the treated areas. In some cases, they can even stimulate the formation of new melanocytes, helping to restore natural pigmentation in the affected area. Together, these benefits help create smoother, healthier-looking skin, but it’s important to understand that scars themselves are a permanent part of the skin’s healing process after a trauma has occurred in the area.

Sun Safety Reminder

Even though the tattooed areas won't tan, it’s essential to let them fully heal before exposing them to the sun. Always practice sun safety—whether you’ve had camouflage tattooing or not!

This image has been edited to show an example of the differences in contrast when someone is tanned pre and post paramedical tattoo.