Scar Camouflage
Information About Scars
Scarring is a natural part of the body’s healing process after an injury. When the deeper layers of the skin are damaged (the dermis) – a scar will be produced as part of the wound-healing cascade. The body repairs the wound by increasing production of collagen at the wound site. The fibrous tissue that forms over the wound also protects it from further injury.
Scars produce a structural change in the skin – both in the skin’s features, color and architecture. Superficial wounding of the skin in the surface layer (the epidermis), will not produce a scar. When a wound has healed, the resulting tissue covering the wound is a scar. The scar will continue to change in texture and appearance as new collagen is formed, and the blood supply returns to a more normal state. This can take from one to two years. Scars will fade and improve gradually following an injury to the skin, however, there will always be some visible evidence of the trauma, and hair follicles will not grow back in that area.
What are the different types of scars we treat?
Depending on your genetic makeup and the depth and type of tear in your skin, scarring can range from a slightly reddish discoloration to a thick, raised red or dark scar. There are three main “categories” of scars, generally described as (flat, indented, or raised).
Flat Scars
Flat scars are the most common, and usually occur from everyday injuries or minor burns. They can start out as red and raised, and even appear dark after the initial injury, but after the wound begins to heal, they will flatten and become much lighter. This process can take from one to two years to complete without treatment. Depending on skin color, flat scars may be pink to red, tan to deep brown, or black (eventually becoming lighter).
Flat Hypo-pigmented Scars
Flat hypo-pigmented scars are flat scars that become “lighter” than the surrounding skin, due to the absence of normal amounts of melanin (the chemical that gives skin its color). Loss of melanin during the wounding process is a common occurrence. In many cases, the melanin can be stimulated through clinical intervention, and prompted to regenerate.
Indented (atrophic) Scars
Indented (atropic) scars are dents or depressions in the skin. They often result from cystic acne which can leave pockmarks or ice pick scars. Some burn scars and scars from surgery or accidents can sometimes result in depressed scars that “pull the skin” – creating the “dent”. These scars result from destruction of the skin’s underlying support structure. They are the most difficult and time consuming scars to treat.
Raised (hypertrophic) Scars
Raised (hypertrophic) scars result from an overproduction of collagen in response to injured skin. This type of scarring can occur from a slight tear in the skin or from a deep wound – or everything in between. These scars are more common in persons with dark skin. Raised scars will flatten over time, but they can take years to resolve without treatment.
Scars and Conditions We Cannot Treat
These skin conditions will require care from a Dermatologist, Surgeon or Laser Technician.
- Moles & Freckles
- Vitiligo
- Port Wine Stains
- Red or Brown Birth Marks
- Keloid Scars
Keloid Scars
A Keloid Scar forms with an abnormal healing response to injury or trauma. They are similar in appearance to hypertrophic scars, but unlike hypertrophic scars, a keloid can grow beyond the original site of injury and once formed becomes permanent. A keloid has a hard, smooth surface and an irregular shape that can range from a small lumpy growth to a large disfiguring scar. It can be pinkish red to purple, or nearly black in color.
Scar Treatment FAQ
Scars 101
What Are Scars?
Scarring is a natural part of the body’s healing process after an injury. When the deeper layers of the skin are damaged (the dermis) – a scar will be produced as part of the wound-healing cascade. The body repairs the wound by increasing production of collagen at the wound site. The fibrous tissue that forms over the wound also protects it from further injury.
Scars produce a structural change in the skin – both in the skin’s features, color and architecture. Superficial wounding of the skin in the surface layer (the epidermis), will not produce a scar. When a wound has healed, the resulting tissue covering the wound is a scar. The scar will continue to change in texture and appearance as new collagen is formed, and the blood supply returns to a more normal state. This can take from one to two years. Scars will fade and improve gradually following an injury to the skin, however, there will always be some visible evidence of the trauma, and hair follicles will not grow back.
How Does a Scar Form?
The scar that you see on the surface of the skin is the result of a complex process the skin goes through as it recovers from damage. There are many factors that affect how a wound heals, and the way the wound heals affects how the scar will end up looking in the long run. How skin heals and scars varies from person to person, but it also depends on how you care for the wound before the scar is done forming.
The skin goes through three stages of repair before you see a scar. In the first stage, there’s swelling, redness, and some tenderness or pain as a scab begins to form. During the next stage, new skin tissue forms underneath the scab. The final stage involves rebuilding and reforming the outer and inner layers of skin.
What is Permanent Scar & Skin Camouflage?
Permanent Scar and Skin Camouflage is a medical tattoo process that camouflages skin irregularities or loss of pigment, by implanting flesh tone pigments into those areas. These pigments are tattooed into the scar or blemish by implanting washes of color – or hundreds of micro-sized dots (mimicking the pixels in digital photography). The layering of these tiny dots or washes of color, can help to blend the scar into the healthy surrounding skin. It is not possible to completely “erase a scar”; however a permanent camouflage process can hide the scar so effectively, it is no longer obvious to the naked eye. Permanent Scar Camouflage is also referred to as:
- Medical or Paramedical Tattooing
- Skin Re-pigmentation
- Micro-pigmentation or Corrective Camouflage
- Scar or Scalp Camouflage
This service is well received and supported by plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and general surgeons world-wide as a cosmetic restorative option. It is a highly specialized area of medical tattooing that requires advanced training, extensive knowledge of skin and scars, color, and advanced tattoo artistry.
