Medical Tattooing: What Is It, What Are The Benefits & Who Can It Help?
The transformative power that comes from medical tattooing has increased in popularity amongst those who are looking to benefit from the procedure. Whether it’s to cover the appearance of scarring due to surgery or to help improve hair loss or thinning, medical tattooing is a great choice if applicable to your needs.
In this article, you’ll learn all about the fantastic results that can come with medical tattooing, what it involves, and how it can be helpful for anyone looking for such a treatment.
1. What is medical tattooing?
Medical tattooing, otherwise referred to as medical micropigmentation is a cosmetic treatment procedure that involves disguising any form of scarring. Whether that be burns, surgical scarring, or mimicking the appearance of nipples, hair, fingernails, or even toenails.
With medical tattooing, pigment is applied to the dermal layer of the skin. Much like microblading or permanent makeup, it’s a great way to renew confidence and provide empowerment.
2. Types of medical tattooing treatments
There are a variety of medical tattooing treatments available depending on one’s needs. With medical tattooing, there are a variety of areas on the body that this treatment can be given. Here are some of the options available:
Scar camouflage
Scars caused by trauma, surgery and self-harm can often be a cause of self-consciousness. A great benefit of medical tattooing is that it can camouflage the scar, regardless of how large or small it is. The flexibility of medical tattooing means it can adapt to scars of any shape and size.
Nipple and areola reconstruction
For breast cancer survivors, the damage left from the cancer can be extensive and physically apparent. For some, the removal of the nipple or the breast entirely might be necessary to rid the cancerous cells and to avoid them coming back.
With medical tattooing, it’s been extremely successful for those who are looking to get nipple and areola reconstruction. Not only that it can be beneficial for those who are looking for gender-reaffirming surgery, to further enhance the nipple.
Stretch mark camouflage
Stretch marks occur when the skin stretches rapidly due to pregnancy, weight gain, or growth spurts, causing the underlying collagen and elastin to break. This results in fine lines that may appear red, purple, or white as they heal.
Stretch mark camouflage tattooing is an effective treatment that blends the marks with your natural skin tone, making them far less visible. This semi-permanent solution helps smooth and improve the appearance of stretch marks, restoring confidence in your skin’s look and feel.
Vitiligo camouflage
Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose its pigment. As a result, the skin turns into a milky-white colour. This disorder in recent years has been highlighted by the likes of Canadian fashion model Winnie Harlow. However, some who have this disorder may want to cover it up in any way they can.
One such way would be through medical tattooing. The pale areas of skin can be camouflaged by gently implanting a pigment to help match the area to the surrounding skin.
Hair loss/thinning (scalp micropigmentation)
Hair loss or thinning of the hair can be a real knock to a person’s confidence, which is why medical tattooing is often sought after as a solution to this issue. It’s very common for hair loss and thinning to occur for any number of reasons and while it shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of, it can have a huge effect on a person’s self-esteem and confidence.
With scalp micropigmentation, it can provide a fuller appearance of hair, especially along the hairline. There are many clients out there with hair loss or hair thinning caused simply by genetics. Medical tattooing can be a solution to improve this appearance. For those who have also experienced hair loss in the eyebrows and eyelashes, it may be a good idea to consider microblading or an eyeliner tattoo.
Cleft lip reconstruction
Medical tattooing is a popular method to help with cleft lip reconstruction. It involves gently implanting particles of pigment in the upper layer of the skin. The treatment is quiet and gentle, providing fantastic results for clients, and adding more symmetry to the lips.
The procedure usually takes a couple of hours depending on the requirements of the client. A cleft lip is often a cause of discomfort and can affect the confidence of those who have them. With cleft lip reconstruction, any scarring or damage can be addressed with much success.
How is medical tattooing different from normal tattoo procedures?
Normal tattooing is more decorative whereas medical tattooing is restorative. Typically speaking medical tattooing is more superficial and therefore may need top ups at some point, whereas traditional tattooing is a little deeper in the skin and is less likely to need maintenance.
3. Benefits of medical tattooing treatments
There are plenty of benefits for those looking to try out medical tattooing. This includes, but is not limited to:
Psychological benefits
Non-surgical and minimally invasive on the body
Restoring self-confidence and body image
Long-lasting results and low maintenance
Having confidence in your body isn’t always something that a person has naturally. With the addition of scarring or something that impacts self-image, it’s easy for confidence levels to be at an all-time low.
Medical tattooing has become significantly more popular compared to other more invasive procedures. For those who might be afraid of surgical procedures, it’s a good alternative that comes with minimal discomfort but similar or identical results.
The rise in non-surgical procedures has become more popular than ever, making medical tattooing one treatment that fits into this category.
4. Is there anyone who can’t have medical tattooing?
It’s worth noting that medical tattooing isn’t for everyone. Similar to permanent makeup and microblading, there are those where medical tattooing isn’t recommended. For example, those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on blood thinning medication. If you’re undergoing cancer treatment, medical tattooing should also be avoided.
There are other considerations when it comes to medical tattooing. Any scars or skin grafts should be fully healed for at least a year before any medical tattooing is done. Scar camouflage is only suitable for those who have light, flat scars. Those with dark or pink scarring cannot be treated with this procedure.
Vitiligo should be static for several years before medical tattooing can take place. It’s important to be considerate of all the above before going ahead with this treatment.
5. Are medical tattoos permanent?
While medical tattoos are long lasting, they might not last forever. For those who have tattoos in general, the pigment will often fade over time. There are a few factors that impact the longevity of medical tattooing and knowing these will help make yours last for as long as possible. Here are a few things to consider:
The area of the body where the tattooing is done
The skin type
Was it created with PMU pigments (which will fade) or with traditional tattooing pigments (which are longer lasting)? Or both?
How closely does the client follow the aftercare
Artists technique
While medical tattooing is longer lasting, future sessions might well be needed to maintain results. By following the guidance and aftercare given by the artist, you’ll be able to get the most out of your results.
Quick Fact: Medical tattooing can last between one to five years if the aftercare steps are taken seriously.
6. How to prepare for a medical tattoo treatment?
Preparation for a medical tattoo treatment is important. If you’ve got a tattoo already, then you may be aware of the preparations needed in order for it to go smoothly and with as little discomfort as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns, it’s best to run these by the artist beforehand. They’ll be able to put your mind at ease and answer any questions that might help you feel more informed about the decision you’re making by getting this medical tattoo treatment.
It’s best to avoid alcohol or caffeine when getting a medical tattoo treatment as this can thin the blood. As the tattoo treatment involves piercing the skin, it could risk heavy bleeding.
Be prepared for that tattoo to look dark when it’s first done. This is typical of any tattoo and the true result will come once the area has fully healed. By following all of these points, you’ll have a straightforward and hopefully enjoyable procedure.
7. Conclusion
Medical tattooing is a great choice for those who are looking to camouflage or cover up areas of the body that they’re self-conscious of. Whether it’s to help boost confidence or to mask anything that is causing trouble, this type of tattooing is a worthwhile treatment to get. The transformative impact that well-performed treatments have on individuals is priceless. Not just in the internal confidence a patient feels but in their outward appearance too.
If you’re interested in medical tattooing and want to learn more about the procedure, then take a look at the services we offer here at Skn Plus, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
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