Scar and stretch mark camouflage: what to expect

What camouflage tattooing is

Paramedical camouflage uses the same technique as cosmetic tattooing, but with pigment mixed to match your skin tone instead of a brow or lip shade. The pigment is placed into the area of a scar or stretch mark that has turned paler than the skin around it, so the difference in colour is less noticeable.

It is a cosmetic service done in a studio, not a medical procedure. It helps camouflage the colour of a mark. It does not change the shape, depth or feel of the skin.

Who is a good candidate

Camouflage works best on marks that are settled and lighter than the surrounding skin. In general, a good candidate has:

• A scar or stretch mark that has been healed for at least 12 months
• A mark that is flat, or close to flat, with the skin around it
• White, silver or pale pink colour that is lighter than the surrounding skin
• No recent change in size, colour or texture
• Skin that has not been tanned recently, so the match is accurate

Who is not a candidate, or should wait

Some marks are better left alone, and some people should talk to a doctor first. Please raise any of the following at the consultation.

• A tendency to form keloids or raised scars
• Scars that are raised, thick, red, purple or still changing
• Skin that is freshly tanned or sunburned
• Active skin conditions, infections or open areas near the mark
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding, blood thinners, isotretinoin or chemotherapy

The patch test and the first visit

At your free consultation Geet looks at the mark, asks about its history and checks it against the list above. If you are a candidate, we mix a skin-tone shade and place a small test patch in a discreet spot.

You then wait and watch how the skin heals. The patch shows how your skin takes the pigment, how the colour settles and whether the shade is right. Only after that do we book the first full session. Taking the time up front is how we avoid a mismatch that is hard to adjust later.

How many sessions to plan for

Most marks need 2 to 4 sessions, and some need more. Sessions are spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart so the skin can fully heal and the colour can settle before we judge what is left to do.

Pigment is built up in thin layers. A cautious first session leaves room to adjust the shade, whereas going heavy at the start can leave a patch that is darker than the skin around it. We would rather add colour than guess.

Size, texture and how pale the mark is all affect the plan, so we give you an estimate at the consultation and review it after each session.

Honest limits

Camouflage reduces contrast. It does not change texture, so a raised or indented scar will still feel and catch the light the same way. From a normal distance the colour difference often looks less obvious, but up close or in strong light the mark is still there.

Pigment does not tan. We match your colour to your un-tanned skin, so if the surrounding skin darkens in summer, the camouflaged area can look lighter by comparison. In Winnipeg it makes sense to plan around summer sun and lake weekends, using sun protection and booking in the cooler months.

Like all tattooed pigment, the colour can fade over time and may need refreshing over the years. Results vary from person to person.

Questions to ask any artist

Whether you book with us or someone else, these questions help you judge whether an artist is the right fit.

• Do you do a patch test before the first session?
• Can I see healed photos on skin similar to mine, not just fresh results?
• How do you match my colour, and what happens if I tan?
• How many sessions do you expect, and how are they spaced?
• Which hygiene practices do you follow, and are needles single-use?
• What would make you decline to work on my mark?