Having a scar or discoloration on your skin can make you self-conscious about your appearance. Scars can also be uncomfortable reminders of a past injury or traumatic event. Camouflage tattooing can help cover up scars or skin discolorations, which can boost your self-esteem. Find out more about this type of procedure, including what to expect and how to tell if you’re a good candidate for it.
What Is Camouflage Tattooing?
Camouflage tattooing refers to a procedure that involves adding colored pigment to the upper layer of scars. Doing this can help scars blend in more with the surrounding skin, which makes them less noticeable. This procedure can also be used for correcting smaller areas of discoloration on your skin. Camouflage tattooing can add pigment to these areas so that they match the rest of your skin. This type of procedure is not intended for certain skin problems, such as hyperpigmentation, spider veins or port wine birthmarks.
What to Expect During Camouflage Tattooing
When you have camouflage tattooing done, you don’t have to worry about experiencing discomfort. The treated area will be covered with numbing cream first. If needed, this cream can also be applied again during your treatment. Keep in mind that this procedure is considered safe for those who are suitable candidates. Before having this procedure done, you will need to have an evaluation done to determine if you’re a good candidate.
Good Candidates for Camouflage Tattooing
How do you know if you’re a good candidate for camouflage tattooing? While this procedure is generally effective, it doesn’t work on all skin types. Those who are suitable candidates have scars or discolorations on parts of their skin that aren’t usually exposed to the sun. Since skin exposed to sunlight changes color, this can make camouflage tattooing less effective. The tattooed skin won’t change color to match the skin around it.
Good candidates also have scars or discolorations that have been there for at least six months. This helps ensure effectiveness and a lower risk of reactions to the pigments that are used during this procedure. Ideal candidates have healed scars that are a minimum of nine months old. When camouflage tattooing is done on scars that aren’t fully healed, this can lead to more damage to the skin.
Other factors that good candidates have include:
- Flat scars: Tattooing won’t eliminate the appearance of raised scars, but it can be effective at hiding flat ones. This procedure also works better on smooth scars rather than rougher ones.
- No dark edges: Good candidates have scars that do not have dark edges around them. Undergoing camouflage tattooing on scars with dark edges can result in even darker pigmentation.
Benefits of Camouflage Tattooing
Camouflage tattooing offers an effective way for those with scars or pigmentation loss to feel better about their appearance. This can affect their quality of life overall. Since this procedure is minimally invasive, there is also a lower risk of complications, such as infections and bleeding.
Recovery Afterward
If you have this procedure done, follow aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing. Keep in mind that you might need more than one session in order to get the results you want. Your skin will need time to heal after each session, and you should avoid exposing the tattooed area to sunlight.
If you’re interested in camouflage tattooing, please contact Greater Miami Skin and Laser Center to schedule an appointment. We can provide you with more information on this procedure and determine if you’re a good candidate for it.
