Frequently Asked Questions
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All the definitions of paramedical tattooing point to the same thing: it is an advanced cosmetic tattooing procedure designed to replace lost pigment, conceal skin irregularities, improve texture/tone and even recreate missing body parts.
Skin irregularities can develop due to illness, trauma, or everyday activities. Resulting in stretch marks or scars from conditions such as surgery, accidents, self-harm, pregnancy, weight training, acne, skin cancers and more.
Paramedical tattooing offers a way to reduce the visibility of these skin irregularities. By using skin-tone pigments and medical grade inkless serums, paramedical tattoo artists can camouflage and heal scars, improve texture and tone and create tattoos that resemble natural-looking skin.
There are solutions for all types of scars from old, new, flat, raised, indented, hypo or hyperpigmented, surgical, accidental and self-inflicted.
There are 2 distinct ways in which they can be treated and concealed.
INKLESS - Using a medical grade serum into the scar or stretch mark, via a skin needling tattoo technique. This treatment can heal and remodel the area 30-90% in 2-5 treatments. With noticeable improvement from just 1.
Majority of stretch marks and scars will start with the Inkless method and may not even require pigment.
PIGMENT - Using a revolutionary Skin tone Nue Conceal reading device, which determines an exact colour match to your skin. Once matched up the pigment is deposited into your skin via a tattoo technique. Once healed, scars and stretch marks are concealed with the rest of the skin and almost completely unnoticeable. 2-3 treatments are generally required.
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Even though both paramedical camouflage tattoo and traditional tattoos are known to deposit some type of colour into the skin, they do it in different ways.
Traditional tattoo ink is deposited deep into the skin, into the dermis, anywhere from 1.5-2mm depth.
Paramedical camouflage tattoo uses pigments (similar to permanent makeup) which are deposited into superficial layers of the skin, the epidermis. This is anywhere from 0.5-1.5mm depth.
Paramedical camouflage tattoo is designed to be semi-permanent so it can be touched up as your skin naturally changes tone over the years. Placing the pigment into the epidermal layer will look the most natural and fade over time. Touch ups are recommended every 3-5 years or as needed. Inkless camouflage is permanent as the skin has been remodeled and healed.
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The treated area will be swollen and red immediately after.
The next day, the swelling will subside but the area will remain red.
After about 2-5 days, the redness will dark to turn dark and reddish-brown. This hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) for some people, they may completely heal in a week while others can last anywhere from 4-12 weeks. As long as the area is still darker than the rest of the skin, it is not fully healed.
Once fully healed you can have your next treatment. Achieving best possible outcome may require 2-5 sessions, depending on your skin type and result desired.
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You may have noticed your scars or stretch marks never change colour no matter how tanned your skin is. In fact you probably notice they are more visable when you tan due to the increase in contrast.
Although the concealed stretch marks or scars will not tan, it will be less visible as the base colour is now flesh toned instead of white.
Just remember to allow your treated areas time to fully heal before exposing it to the sun. Sun safety is always encouraged regardless of if you have camouflage tattoo or not.
*For Inkless tattoo, as no pigment was implanted into the skin, your skin will tan as normal.
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It’s important to note that Paramedical tattooing does not remove scars—it improves their appearance and camouflages them. 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. For areas that don't naturally repigment, pigment camouflage tattooing can be used to add customized skin-tone pigments to conceal the scars. 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
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Anyone who is pregnant, breast feeding, has auto-immune diseases, taking oral isotretinoin (accutane), has undergone cancer treatment in the last 12 months, any medications and skin conditions that create delayed wound healing and skin sensitivity.
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The Inkless tattoo permanently remodels and improves the area treated.
The Pigment camouflage tattoo is designed to be semi-permanent so it can be touched up as your skin naturally changes tone over the years. Placing the pigment into the epidermal layer will look the most natural and fade over time. Touch ups are recommended every 3-5 years or as needed.
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There is usually some minor discomfort, although tolerance levels vary between clients. Most clients find the procedures only mildly uncomfortable. You may take some paracetamol 30 minutes before your treatment if you wish (avoid ibuprofen or anything anti inflammatory pre treatment). Numbing cream is generally not required.
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It’s usually a minimum 6 months for Inkless and 12 months for pigment camouflage from when the initial mark has formed. Feel free to send me a picture of the area so I can advise if it’s ready for treatment. LED and various laser and light based systems (I usually use Healite II LED, Laser Genesis and BBL in clinic) can be used as soon as the wound is closed over.
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You will need a minimum of 2 treatments, most often it’s about 2-5 treatments (sometimes more). This can be due to factors like age, genetics, health and the severity + size of the stretch mark or scar being treated.
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I use Nue Conceal Pigments, they are Vegan friendly, Cruelty free, CE certified, Halal and have FDA approval.
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Avoid unprotected sun exposure for 2-4 weeks and fake tan for 1 week
Exfoliate the area 24 hours before
Avoid caffeine, energy drinks and alcohol for 24 hours
Avoid blood thinners (including ibuprofen, aspirin, fish oils etc) for 3 days
Avoid application of numbing creams, gels, sprays.
Stay hydrated and get a good nights sleep
Where loose comfy clothing to your appointment
Take some paracetamol 30 mins before your appointment
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Drink plenty of water to maintain skin hydration.
Taking collagen and antioxidant supplements will boost your healing and final result.
Avoid showering for the first 24 hours
Avoid tight uncomfortable clothing on the area while it’s healing.
Avoid all products except for the ones recommended to you.
Make sure you use your aftercare products at least 2-3 times a day until skin is fully healed.
Avoid exfoliating the treated area for at least 2-3 weeks.
Avoid fake tan to the treated area for minimum 3-4 weeks
Avoid direct sunlight over the exposed area until fully healed. Minimum 3-4 weeks Wear a zinc based SPF and/or protective clothing on the areas daily after the first week.
Avoid soaking in baths, saunas and swimming pools or the ocean until your treatment has healed.
Avoid excerise for minimum 48-72 hours.
And of course, as tempting as it is.. don’t stratch or pick at the tattoo at all!
The healing process may take anywhere between 4-12 weeks which is longer than tattooing healthy parts of the skin, due to it being more sensitive when working with scar tissue.
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Generally keloid scars are not suitable for Paramedical tattoo as there is a high risk of it getting worse. However, often hypertrophic scars are mistaken for keloid scars and hypertrophic scars can be treated.
With hypertrophic scars, the extra connective tissue that forms within the original wound stays within that area. With keloid scars, the extra connective tissue that forms extends beyond the original wound area.
Please send me a photo of the scar if you are unsure what type of scar you have and i can help guide you.