Paramedical micropigmentation: getting rid of scars

Nadezhda Derzhnikele , head and leading specialist of the RMS professional micropigmentation center (Riga, Latvia), winner of the international competition for permanent makeup specialists Perfect Line 2005 (Tallinn, Estonia)

We continue to revealthe topic of paramedical micropigmentation , which is not only relevant as a novelty in the field, but also often vital for clients

Getting rid of scars and stretch marks

With some reservations, scars can be attributed to acquired dyschromia. You can work with any (except keloid) stabilized scars that are more than six months old. Scars after a circular lift and other plastic surgeries on the face lend themselves well to camouflage. As a rule, these scars are quite thin, in contrast to the scars on the body.

Scar correction. Photos for the article provided by the author

Scar formation occurs under the influence of many internal and external factors. It can be uneven, stretched and deep enough, therefore it is more difficult to add a dye so that it evenly stains the initially uneven scar. When applied superficially, the dye simply does not fix in the thickness of the fibrous fibers, but with excessive pressure, there is a big risk of introducing the dye under the scar into the deep dermal layer, and then even the light skin pigment will look blue-violet after healing. Therefore, it is important to prepare the client for a long process. A large number of procedures may be required to achieve an acceptable result.

Most often I work with scars after breast surgeries such as mastectomy (removal of the breast), reduction (reduction, lift) or augmentation with implants in women and surgical removal of gynecomastia (true and false) in men.

Important features of working with scars:

• a color test is required (on untanned skin);
• spot filling, needle ⎼ unit;
• you need to work slowly, placing the points relatively close to each other;
• device settings ⎼ as for circuits;
• for camouflage of a scar on the body, it should be borne in mind that during healing, the color may become more pink, so I recommend adding olive-colored pigments;
• dry care.

Also, scars include striae (stretch marks). As it turned out, they lend themselves very well to camouflage. In addition to color correction, a kind of mechanical polishing takes place during the procedure, and stretch marks become not only visually less noticeable, but also smoother to the touch.

But working with stretch marks has its own specific features:

• a color test is required (on untanned skin);
• work should be relatively quick and easy, with zigzag movements across the stretch;
• device settings ⎼ as for shading;
• you should work very carefully on swarthy and quickly sunbathing areas (the treatment area may darken significantly);
• for light-skinned people, it is possible to dilute the pigment with water and add white pigment;
• dry care.

…and much more

Of the interesting possibilities of paramedical micropigmentation, one can note:

• visual restoration of the navel lost after surgical manipulations;
• visual restoration of a missing nail;
• camouflage of donor skin (for example, after sex reassignment and dildo surgery);
• restoration of the color of the iris of the eye;
• micropigmentation of the nevus flameus (port wine stain).

In my work I use only permanent pigments from different manufacturers. I like Mei Cha and Long Time Liner paints. The result of camouflage work can last long enough, provided it is protected from the sun. But, tracking the results of, for example, camouflage of stretch marks, I can say that a renewing procedure will be needed in about two years.

At the end of the article, I want to share my philosophical thoughts with colleagues who would be interested in starting to work with paramedical pigmentation. This is a rather poorly studied topic, since a relatively small number of ongoing works, as well as sometimes contradictory real results obtained, do not allow us to draw unambiguous conclusions. But for me, such work has become a kind of stepping stone to realizing myself not as a master craftsman, but as a professional who researches, studies and helps people. I am very pleased that many of my colleagues are adopting the practice of charity work with cancer patients and recreating the areola pattern of the breast for mastectomy survivors, completely free of charge. You feel true satisfaction from your work when only you, and not some expensive equipment, can help restore a person's self-confidence. Being engaged in paramedical micropigmentation, you expand the range of possibilities and increase your status as a specialist.