Scar tissue can form as a part of the wound healing process from injury caused by accident or trauma or from surgery. The DNA of an individual will dictate the formation of the scar. Scar camouflage is being used by cosmetic technicians to help reduce the aesthetic effects of a scar. If you are interested in becoming a cosmetic technician that specializes in scar camouflage, you came to the right place. Here at Beauty Techniques Institute of Permanent Cosmetics, we will be sharing with you an article that discusses everything that you need to know about scar camouflage.
Scar camouflage is often included in paramedical training courses. Medical tattooing is used by cosmetic technicians to lessen and conceal a scar, especially when it is, smoother, flatter, and lighter in color than its surrounding skin. There are different types of scars, such as hypertrophic scars that are raised, with reddish or purple color. This type of scar is not recommended for scar camouflage as it cannot be concealed by skin tone pigments. A scar can be improved if it undergoes micro-needling before the scar camouflage procedure. Just like hypertrophic scars, stretch marks cannot be covered properly by skin-tone tattooing.
What type of scars can be recommended for scar camouflage?
- Burn scars
- Cleft palate
- Congenital abnormalities
- Hypo pigmentations
- Injury or accident scars
- Plastic surgery scars
- Stretch marks
- Surgery scars
- Vitiligo – The client must be in remission
Birthmarks like port-wine birthmarks can be also recommended for scar camouflage treatment. However, they must be subjected to multiple laser sessions to cauterize the blood vessels and only if recommended by a medical practitioner.
Scar camouflage micro pigmentation is under paramedical tattooing. It is also known as camouflage tattooing, corrective camouflage, corrective pigment camouflage, scar camouflage, skin camouflage, skin color tattooing, or skin repigmentation. Scar camouflage is a permanent makeup procedure and cosmetic technicians specializing in it will need to undergo training to develop the experience and knowledge to effectively perform the procedure.
It is a specialized area of permanent makeup that only a few cosmetic technicians have been trained in as it requires advanced knowledge, training, and experience in permanent cosmetics. You must also have an artistic eye for color and skin tones. Both sexes can benefit from scar camouflage treatment. Those who have facial burns, discolored scars, vitiligo in remission, and blemishes can be reduced and hidden through scar camouflage procedures. The success rate of this procedure is quite high but may require multiple sessions of treatment to see the best results.
What happens during the scar camouflage procedure?
Consultation and assessment are done during the first visit. A patch test will be done to check and assess the color matches, and if there will be no reactions on the skin, it will be safe to proceed with the treatment. The next sessions are scheduled for pigmentation treatment. It may be a lengthy process, but this is to be expected as the color needs time to develop correctly.
Scar tissue is not soft and smooth like normal skin. It is usually raised, uneven, or sunken, so it may react differently from normal skin. The needle sizes vary and it will depend on the size of the scar that will be treated. Pigment particles are embedded on the skin and will enter the dermis of the skin.
What happens after the scar camouflage procedure?
After the procedure, the pigment may appear dark; the skin will become red and inflamed. The inflammation can occur two to three days after the procedure. Wet shaving must be avoided for ten days after the procedure.
What are the contraindications for the scar camouflage procedure?
- The scar is pink or changing color.
- The scar is not flat or smooth.
- The scar has dark edges — this can be caused by trauma or surgical procedure. Individuals with dark skin tones are usually affected.
- Individuals with keloid scars and hypertrophic scars.
- Individuals with age spots, freckles, hyper-pigmentation, spider veins, and under-eye dark spots.
- Individuals who suffer from medical conditions like epilepsy, seizures, hemophilia, active acne, eczema, psoriasis.
- Immunocompromised persons.
- Individuals who have undergone an organ transplant.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not recommended for the procedure.
- Individuals who have a pacemaker or heart problems.
- Individuals who are currently using or have been on Accutane for less than a year.
- Cancer patients.
What are the benefits of scar camouflage?
- Decreases the appearance of scars from injuries, burns, surgery, skin conditions, etc.
- Corrects any skin discoloration.
- Improves self-esteem and confidence.
A custom skin pigment is used to match your skin tone to properly conceal and get rid of any blemishes or scars in your body. This type of procedure is recommended to manage scars, burns, and skin conditions like vitiligo. It can help enhance the skin’s appearance by eliminating scars, burns, and other skin problems that can affect the confidence and self-esteem of a person. This procedure is minimally invasive and produces natural-looking results.
Sometimes scars have a lighter color than the person’s skin tone. A semi-permanent custom pigment will be used for scar camouflage to lessen the appearance of the scar. A custom blend pigment that matches the skin tone will be used. Needles are used to implant the pigment into the skin so it will conceal the scar. The results may last up to 2 to 5 years so you will have to schedule another appointment for touch-ups accordingly.
The procedure is effective and some people have seen great results after the first treatment session. Scar tissue varies from one person to another, so a custom treatment plan will be given to each individual to make sure that the treatment will be a success.
What are some FAQs about scar camouflage?
Why does scar camouflage fade?
The pigments used for the treatment are exposed to the sun’s UV rays and may break down gradually. To prevent the pigments from fading quickly, the use of sunblock is advised. Avoid sun exposure, sunbathing, and tanning beds. The longevity of the scar camouflage can be enhanced by using alpha-hydroxy, glycolic acids, and retinol that is usually found in toners, cleansers, and moisturizers.
Is it painful?
The scar camouflage procedure is minimally invasive, so it can cause some slight discomfort.
Do the results look normal?
Cosmetic technicians will pick pigment colors that will match the skin tone of the client. It can improve the scar’s appearance but it will not exactly match the color and shade of the skin before the injury or surgery.
When is the best time to schedule a scar camouflage treatment?
There is no downtime with scar camouflage. Most clients do not take time off from their jobs. Just schedule the treatment if you do not have any weddings, travel plans, or special occasions to attend to. Cosmetic surgeries are performed before scar camouflage treatments. You must wait at least a year before going through the process of scar camouflage procedure after undergoing cosmetic surgery.
When can you see the final results of the scar camouflage treatment?
The treatment may require several consecutive sessions with 6 to 8 weeks intervals.
How long does the treatment last?
Each session may last approximately 1 hour to 2 hours, depending on the size of the scar or the treatment area.
How many sessions are recommended?
It will depend on different factors such as the condition of the scar, skin cells, etc. The treatment will involve multiple treatment sessions. Consecutive sessions are scheduled at intervals of every 6 weeks.
Is the treatment safe?
The treatment will be done by observing strict sterile standards. Sterile disposable supplies and equipment will be used to prevent infection. A patch test can be done as sometimes a client can be allergic to the pigment that will be used for the scar camouflage treatment. This can help reduce the possibility of an allergic reaction occurring during the procedure.
What are the procedures to be observed to prevent infection?
Since needles and pigments are used, the skin is at risk for an infection, so the affected area must be kept clean. Sterile materials and equipment are used during the procedure. Used needles are properly disposed of in a sharps container after each treatment.
How do you prepare for a scar camouflage procedure?
Minimal or no bleeding is ideal for the procedure. You must not take blood-thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Blood thinners like Coumadin, Vitamin B and E, alcoholic drinks and caffeine-rich drinks, fats like walnut, fish, and flaxseed oil, herbs like ginger, cinnamon, oregano, turmeric, vegetables like garlic, cabbage, onions, kale, etc. must be avoided two days before and up to the day of the procedure. Rest and proper hydration must be done a day before and up to the day of the scheduled treatment.
If you want to become a para-medical technician specializing in scar camouflage treatments, you must train with a reliable cosmetics shop like Beauty Techniques Institute of Permanent Cosmetics. Our training is available seven days a week. If you want to enroll in our training courses, please contact us. If you have any inquiries or questions regarding our training courses please fill up this contact form here. If you want to know more information about the available training courses, you can click this link here.
If you enroll at Beauty Techniques Institute of Permanent Cosmetics, we will provide you with a training kit that includes tools that you will be using during the training period and can be used immediately when you start your practice. We will continue to support you even after training.
If you have any questions or inquiries, please call us at 832-654-4595, 832-997-6068, or you can send an email at beautytechniques@gmail.com. Our address is 2990 Richmond Avenue Suite 480 Houston Texas 77098. If you are an aspiring permanent makeup technician, you must choose a reputable cosmetic shop such as Beauty Techniques Institute of Permanent Cosmetics. Contact us today! We will be happy to assist you in your path to becoming a successful para-medical technician.
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