Smoothing out irregularities: permanent makeup in the fight against scars

Any self-respecting micropigmentation specialist will say that permanent makeup is an aesthetic procedure that can not only enhance the beauty of facial features, but also effectively deal with such appearance flaws as cicatricial formations, scars or stretch marks. Scar formation can occur for many reasons, such as burns, cuts, strong tissue tension, surgery, acne.

Permanent makeup as an effective tool in solving these problems was used by specialists back in the 90s of the last century, but today the methods of performing procedures have become much more complicated. Most often, two tattoo techniques are used for this:

- "dry probe" method;

- camouflage.

Dry Probe Technique

The technique, called "dry probe", is aimed at stimulating the formation of collagen fibers. There are other names for this technique in the world: dry tattoo, skin needing, MCA, PCI, collagen induction therapy.

"Dry probe" is a safe way to smooth out scars, which is based on the impact on the changed tissue with the needle of a permanent makeup machine, but without the introduction of a coloring agent. The mechanism of action of the "dry probe" is similar to laser resurfacing: in this case, diffuse trauma to certain layers of the skin stimulates tissues to regenerate and self-heal. Unlike laser, this method remains one of the least known scar treatments and is practiced by few specialists. This procedure is more popular in European countries.

Numerous shallow punctures by a professional device, applied during the procedure, activate the production of collagen in the tissues to be smoothed. With this exposure, fibrosis is provoked in the tissues surrounding the scar, and the texture of the tissue on the scar itself improves. This leads to a gradual smoothing and alignment of the color and shape of the scar. The procedure carried out by a “dry probe” has a minimally gentle traumatic effect on the skin. Unlike laser resurfacing and chemical peeling procedures, the surface healthy layer is not removed, the skin does not become thinner. Its natural color is preserved and there is no risk of hyperpigmentation. The procedure is performed using special local anesthesia and is completely painless. The healing process is fast (3-4 days).

During the healing process, the skin at the site of exposure may have a pale pink color and peel off for 3-4 weeks, and then the scar tissue will lighten, decrease in size and gradually align the color with the color of the surrounding skin. Another 6-9 months after exposure to "dry" permanent makeup, the synthesis of collagen fibers will continue.

The procedure can be repeated once a month to achieve the desired result. Strongly pronounced scars become less noticeable after 4-5 procedures, small scars are smoothed out after 1-2 procedures.

Technique "Camouflage"

The permanent make-up procedure, which improves the appearance of a scar or scar with the help of special, highly resistant pigments in natural shades, is called "camouflage".

Far in the past, the use of one tone of pigment for these purposes, when the camouflaged area looked just like carelessly smeared with foundation. Today, masters use at least three tones of pigments for camouflage, which makes it possible to bring the color of the treated area as close as possible to the color of the surrounding tissues, and creates a three-dimensional visual perception of the skin.

Camouflage of scars (author of the work - Anna Zabolotnaya)

When to Use Camouflage Technique:

• to smooth scars and scars on any part of the face and body;
• for smoothing the texture and color of the skin with stretch marks (stretch marks).

Among the advantages of technology:

• low invasiveness of the procedure and a short rehabilitation period;
• complete preservation of the epidermis, vessels are not injured;
• increase in skin density;
• painlessness of the procedure;
• lack of photosensitivity;
• it is possible to use on those areas of the skin that have already been exposed to lasers and dermabrasion.

What types of scars can be worked with in this technique:

• the scar must be at least 9 months old and with a stable color, red or pink scars indicate that the tissues may still be in the process of regeneration. It is impossible to prematurely work on scar tissue, so as not to cause secondary scarring of the skin;
• you need to work on smooth and relatively flat scars. Camouflage cannot hide or correct drastic changes in skin texture. In such cases, it is worth first improving the relief of tissues with the help of corrective procedures;
• the scar should not have dark borders and age spots from the initial injury or surgery. In this case, camouflage is more likely to increase hyperpigmentation and create wider, darker borders.

You cannot use camouflage when disguised:

• "wine" moles;
• freckles;
• moles;
• dark circles under the eyes;
• unstable vitiligo (not in remission).

Customer Expectations

If a client comes to you who decides to use tattoo techniques to smooth out scars, scars, vitiligo, stretch marks (stretch marks), you should discuss the procedure with him and set the client with realistic expectations. The client must be aware that:

• tattooing methods (however, like all other methods of influencing scars and scars) will not restore the skin the way it looked “before”. The impact will not "erase" the scar completely, and the skin will look "perfect" once again. The relief and color differences will certainly smooth out, which will help hide the scar and make it less noticeable to other people;
• you will have to give up tanning without strong protective equipment;
• work on smoothing scars and scars is a process , not a one-time procedure . Work is carried out on tissues that have been damaged or altered. The result of one procedure cannot be predicted.

Camouflage is a laborious process, subject only to a professional who corrects the direction of subsequent procedures in those areas that absorb pigment, or reject it.