Skin camouflage

What it is

Skin camouflage is a paramedical tattooing technique. Pigments are blended and matched to your surrounding skin tone, then applied to the treated area in fine layers so a scar, stretch mark or pigment difference sits closer to the rest of your skin.

Getting the blend right is detailed, unhurried work. Skin tone shifts across the body and through the seasons, so the pigment recipe, needle approach and session plan can only be decided after your skin has been seen in person.

Common concerns it can help with

• Surgical scars, including C-section and other abdominal scars
• Accident and injury scars
• Stretch marks that read lighter or darker than the surrounding skin
• Self-harm scars, treated with complete discretion and without judgement
• Other marks and pigment differences, assessed case by case

The process

1. Consultation and assessment. The size, colour, age and type of the area, your skin tone, and how your skin is likely to hold pigment.
2. Pigment matching and first treatment. Your first session doubles as a working assessment of how your skin responds.
3. A personalised plan. Most camouflage plans run over several sessions, spaced around six weeks apart, so the result builds gradually and reads naturally.

Duration and aftercare

Appointments run from around 30 minutes for a small area to several hours for larger ones. Most people have minimal downtime, though the area needs looking after while it heals. You will leave with clear, written aftercare instructions.

Related treatments

Scar camouflage · Stretch mark camouflage · Skin rejuvenation