What are cosmetic and paramedical tattoos?

Cosmetic and paramedical tattoos, also known as permanent makeup, permanent cosmetics, micro-pigmentation, and cosmetic tattooing, are a cosmetic technique that uses a form of tattooing to enhance or restore features and body parts.

 

Cosmetic tattooing can resemble makeup, such as eyeliner, lip tinting, and cheek blush.  It can be used to enhance eyebrows and even recreate the effect of eyebrows for people who have lost them due to aging, conditions such as alopecia, and processes such as chemotherapy.  Balding or receding hairlines for people of any gender can be enhanced or corrected using cosmetic tattooing processes.  Freckles and beauty marks can be added, and in many cases, lip colors can be modified and evened out.

 

Cosmetic tattooing can also be used to disguise scars and hypopigmentation of the skin.  It can be used to enhance or restore parts of the body, such as areolae, after a mastectomy, and can even be used to add the illusion of a missing toenail or mask a cleft palate scar.

 

The blended skills of tattooing, fine art, knowledge of skin types, and color matching can produce truly inspiring effects that can change lives!

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How do cosmetic tattoos differ from traditional tattoos?

A major difference between cosmetic and traditional tattoos is their purpose.  With a traditional tattoo, a design is meant to be visible art for the world to see.  

 

With cosmetic tattooing, the intent is to create a natural or subtle makeup look.  In a sense, it’s creating an optical illusion - using tattooing to enhance or change facial features in a way that is not obvious that it’s being done.  Successful permanent makeup should not “look like a tattoo.”  It should give the effect of a “natural makeup” look or be so subtle it isn’t noticed at all if you don’t know what to look for.

 

With paramedical tattooing, the intent to create an optical illusion is even more important.  While pigment can never completely replace actual body features, a paramedical tattoo should come so close that it isn’t immediately noticeable.

 

Another major difference between permanent makeup and traditional tattooing is that permanent makeup will fade, and the colors will alter faster than with a traditional tattoo.  While the presence of pigment in the skin is permanent, a cosmetic tattoo must be touched up or refreshed more often than a traditional tattoo.  This is due to a few factors: 

-Permanent makeup is performed more shallowly in the skin layers than traditional tattooing.  This helps prevent the more natural shades of permanent makeup from looking ashy.

-Many permanent makeup inks use a finer pigment size.  This helps with creating ultra-smooth blends but also means that our bodies disperse the pigment faster than traditional tattoo pigment

-Our faces are constantly out in the sun and elements, which fade pigments over time (think about construction paper left out in the sun - it will fade faster than papers kept in a drawer).  Some of this can be avoided by using mineral-based sunscreen, but some fading is inevitable.

-Other factors, such as skin type (oily skin tends to fade colors faster than other skin types), the use of active skin ingredients like retinol, and general lifestyle can also affect the longevity of permanent makeup

-Paramedical tattooing for areola reconstruction is performed more similarly to traditional tattooing and is less likely to fade quickly than eyeliner or lip blush.

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Can cosmetic tattoos be altered?

Yes, definitely.  One of the great things about “permanent makeup” is its impermanence.  While it will save a ton of time by helping you look how you want to without makeup, it naturally fades over time.  This means that if you decide after a couple of years that you want a different brow shape, that can be done!  If you would rather have a natural lip color instead of a brighter pink, that can also be done.  Some processes, especially lip blushing, take multiple sittings to get the color just right, so there is time and space for alteration, even during the initial process.

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Can cosmetic tattoos be removed?

Yes and no.

 

Color corrections and pigment removal processes, including laser treatments, have come SO far in the past few years, and procedures that were formerly thought to be too difficult can now be done by the right technician.  However, on a molecular level, there will always be some remaining pigment in the area that has been tattooed.

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 Scar Camouflage Questions

  

What is scar camouflage tattooing?

Scar camouflage is the reason I decided to learn paramedical tattooing!  (Though I love eyeliner, lip blushing and freckles too)  I’m fascinated by its science and color theory, and I love the confidence it can restore to people.

 

Scar camouflage is the use of cosmetic tattooing techniques to literally camouflage a scar so it becomes much less noticeable to the naked eye.

 

How does scar camouflage work?

Scar camouflage uses a mix of pigments and techniques to match the colors and textures of skin surrounding a scar.

 

Am I a good candidate for scar camouflage tattooing?

Most scars can be camouflaged, however, there are a few conditions that make it inadvisable.  These include:

-Keloids

-Spider Veins

-Hyperpigmentation

-Thinned, translucent skin

 

For scar camouflage clients, I start with an in-depth consultation where I look at the color and texture of your scar, talk to you about your skin type, skin care regimen and any medical conditions that may affect the process.  That is the best way for me to determine whether you’re a good candidate for scar camouflage.

 

How long after surgery or injury can I have scar camouflage?

The short answer is once it is fully healed.  This can take different amounts of time for many reasons, including size and type of scar, how your body heals, and your healing process.  Most scars are fully healed within 6-12 months.

 

Can all types of scars be camouflaged?

All types of scars, from burns, to surgery, to injury scars can be camouflaged, but not everyone is a good candidate for the process.  If we meet for a consultation and I find that scar camouflage would not be the best solution in your situation, I will do my best to refer you to another service if I think one could be helpful.

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How many sessions will I need for effective scar camouflage?

Many scars take only a few sessions of camouflage to reach the desired result, but every person and every scar is different.

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Is the pigment used in scar camouflage safe for all skin types?

At my studio, I use the highest quality, professionally available pigments from companies that use only FDA approved ingredients.  However, allergic reactions, while extremely rare, are always a possibility, and there is no way to reliably tell in advance if you will develop a reaction to inks, similar to any cosmetic procedure.

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What does the scar camouflage procedure entail?

A scar camouflage procedure is similar to a traditional tattoo procedure.  I start with a consultation to discuss your desired outcome, your skin type and any concerns you might have.  I’ll give you my intake form to fill out ahead of time so we can go over any concerns, and determine whether you’re a good candidate for scar camouflage.  At this time, I will also take before photos.

 

When you come in for your procedure appointment, depending on your scar's area and sensitivity, we may start by numbing the area.  I use topical numbing ointments, and we will talk about those and any concerns you might have when we review your intake form.  

 

If any mapping is needed (such as for areola restoration), I will draw the design on you with a single-use marker or pencil so you can approve sizing, placement, and details.

 

While we wait for the anesthetic to take effect, I’ll start by doing some color-matching to find the best base color for your procedure and colors for added details.  

 

Then we can get started on your paramedical tattoo!  The procedure itself is similar to a traditional tattoo - I use the same type of machine, and my setup is similar.

 

Once we’re finished, I’ll have you check out the work, and I’ll take after photos and bandage the area, if applicable.

 

Before you leave, you’ll get an aftercare kit and instructions and book your follow-up appointment.

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Does scar camouflage hurt?

Similar to tattooing, there can be discomfort during a scar camouflage procedure.  Most people do not express extreme discomfort, but if you’re concerned about sensitivity in the area and have no medical reason not to use a topical anesthetic, we can use an anesthetic as part of the procedure.

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How long does it take for a scar camouflage tattoo to heal?

Similar to a traditional tattoo, scar camouflage takes roughly four weeks to heal fully.

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Can scar camouflage be done on any area of the body?

Yes, though each area will require different levels of care for healing.  For example, if the scar is on your hands and you must wash your hands constantly at work, you’ll want to schedule when you can take some extra time off to help the healing process go smoothly.

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Are there any risks or side effects associated with scar camouflage?

Scar camouflage carries the same risks as traditional tattooing.  There is a risk of infection, allergic reaction, poor color matching, fading and discoloration.  When considering a scar camouflage procedure, it is important to choose an artist who has undergone specific training for cosmetic and paramedical tattooing.

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What kind of aftercare is required for scar camouflage?

As with traditional tattooing, it is important to gently clean and moisturize your scar camouflage tattoo and protect it from the elements and anything abrasive during the healing process.  You will receive complete aftercare instructions and an aftercare kit after your procedure.

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How long-lasting are the results of scar camouflage?

Scar camouflage tattoos can last several years. The duration can vary depending on your skin tone, lifestyle, and the healing process.

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Other Paramedical Tattoo Questions

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What other conditions can be addressed by paramedical tattoos?

Paramedical tattoo artists can camouflage skin irregularities, trauma reminders from medical and elective surgeries, accidents, burns, skin grafts, and totally normal skin conditions like birthmarks, acne scars, stretchmarks and more.

 

Can paramedical tattoos help with stretch marks or vitiligo?

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Yes!  Cosmetic tattooing can be used to great effect with both stretch marks and vitiligo.

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How do I choose a qualified artist for my cosmetic or paramedical tattoo needs?

Look for an artist who has trained in cosmetic and paramedical tattooing, and has examples, especially healed examples of their work.  In addition to maintaining all required licensing, a dedicated artist will continue to improve their craft through continuing education courses as well.

 

If you have questions or would like to learn more about cosmetic and paramedical tattooing, please reach out to me, I’m happy to help!

 

If you’d like to read more about it, a couple of great sources for information are:

 

Permanent Makeup Hub: pmuhub.com

SPCP’s Public Info page: spcp.org/pages/information-for-the-public