Frequently asked questions
Its important to asses the area in person so we can get a true understanding of the condition of your area of concern. During this consultation you will have an oppurtunity to express your concerns about the area, its history and what your desired results are. We will ask you about your medical history and history of the injury.
If you are wanting to take time to think about the procedure, we offer a skin patch test for $50 which includes a colour matching consultation and custom blend.
Finally, if the procedure is deemed suitable we can preform procedure that day if you book an allocated time slot after the consultation, OR book you in at a later date.
You may be a potential candidate if you meet the criteria below:
Your scar should be:
Healed and a minimum of 1 year since incident/injury/surgery.
No longer pink or changing colour. If it is red or pink or still changing colour the scar tissue may still be healing. A reputable, experienced medical tattoo artist will not work prematurely on scar tissue because it may cause further damage to the skin.
Smooth and relatively flat: 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. You may consider scar revision treatments to smooth out the scar prior to scar camouflage.
Without dark edges: Dark edges or borders around a scar indicate Post Inflammatory Hyper-pigmentation (PIH) from the initial trauma or surgery. It is possible that the camouflage tattooing process may increase the hyper-pigmentation and create a wider, darker border. The risk of this happening is usually greater with darker skin tones.
Do not have one of the following: Keloid, scars with raised dark edges, Port Wine birthmarks; spider veins; freckles; age spots; under eye circles; hyper-pigmentation; or unstable vitiligo (not in remission). These can be improved with non-tattoo medical treatments such as lasers, sclerotherapy, or chemical peels. Please consult with a physician regarding the best course of treatment for these conditions.
Have realistic expectations: Camouflage tattooing will not completely restore skin to the way it looked before it was injured. The 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 or anomaly and make it less noticeable to other people.
Do not spend time tanning: A scar camouflage tattoo will not be a “perfect” match to the surrounding skin color. This is due to the constant changes in skin tones from blood flow, body temperature, and 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 one session: Camouflage re-pigmentation is a process, not a one-time “cure”. It is performed on “unhealthy” skin that has been damaged or altered. Its response cannot be predicted—a scar or vitiligo patch may have areas that absorb pigment, reject it, or both. 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.
Clients who suffer from any of the following:
Haemophilia, seizures and/or epilepsy, immunodeficiency, currently pregnant and/or breastfeeding, cold/flu like symptoms, active acne, currently on Accutane for less than 12 months and/or has used accutane in the last 12 months, eczema, psoriasis, keloid scaring, hypertrophic scaring on treatment area. This is not suitable for patients whom are undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant, who have a pacemaker and/or major heart problems and more.
If you have any concerns or questions about your health for this procedure, please inform the artist at the time of your consultation for advise.
You must to the best of your knowledge provide an accurate medical history to the artist to ensure you safety and minimise risk.
The paramedical tattoo industry generally suggests it lasting 3 to 5 years, or more provided that the correct after-care procedures are adhered to.
You may or may not need a touch up after 3-5 years.
Scars and stretch marks are injuries sustained to the skin. As they are damaged skin, they are generally thicker and/or thinner, and have a different structure to skin with no damage. It is important to take this into account when understanding the possible outcomes. This skin is more difficult to penetrate, hence needing to build the pigment up over time. We only enter the first layer of skin, making it more superficial than traditional tattoo, longevity will depend on each individual, each individual scar, the healing process and aftercare.
Also, as our bodies age the skin loses cologne, elasticity and melanin product. Scars and stretch marks are weaker than undamaged skin and will generally be effected first.
WHY DO SCAR CAMOUFLAGE TATTOOS FADE? Pigment particles exposed to the UV rays of the sun breaks down over time. Pigment particles in your skin used to create your scar camouflage tattoos are exposed to the UV rays of the sun. To prevent premature fading, you will need to use sunblock consistently. Avoiding the sun, tanning beds, retinol, alpha hydroxy, and use of glycolic acids such as fruit acids commonly found in some toners, cleansers and moisturisers will help with the longevity of your scar camouflage tattoo.
When having this procedure it important to have realistic expectations taking into account the above.
Your camouflaged stretch marks, vitiligo and scars will not change colour. If you tan, your skin’s overtone will darken, but your stretch marks/scars will remain the same colour as your natural skin-toned ink tattoo. Overall, your stretch marks/scars/vitiligo will still be camouflaged because the “white” is no longer there. In short, there’s less of an obvious contrast.
Unfortunately not.
Inkless Scar Revision treatment cannot be used for keloid scars, or any of our services.
Keloid scars are known to be particularly sensitive and prone to worsening with certain treatments. Paramed Tattoo prioritises safety and reducing risk wherever possible.
Alternatively we suggest visiting your dermatologist or laser specialist to see if there are treatments suitable