Areola Micropigmentation For Scars

Sometimes scarring can cause pronounced hypopigmentation and sometimes we just want a little cosmetic enhancement of our areola.From making the areola more rosy to fading the edges out a little to even replacing an areola after surgical removal.

Micropigmentation, or demographics, can replace or enhance color to the skin via small implantations of ink via a tattoo gun.Micropigmentation look natural if applied by a skilled technician with a soft touch.Plus, many technicians offer topical anesthetics before and during your procedure so there is little or no discomfort.Plus there is an vast array of natural pigments to suit your needs, be they cosmetic or reconstructive.In this section we are going to discuss the myths, the facts, the techniques, and after care.

What Is Micropigmentation?

Dermagraphics is the enhancement of the skin or re-pigmentation of hypopigmented areas of the dermis with non-reactive, hypo-allergenic natural iron-oxide colored pigments which are implanted into the very first layers of the skin with a tattoo like gun or pen.These pigments can be very natural looking;also available is the trendier of colors and basic cosmetic colors.

There are many models of these types of pens and guns, some cordless, some not, some very expensive and still others that are very basic.Technicians can be very skilled, taking a course to train with professionals and some just buying videos and manikin kits to practice on before the receive real clients.So please assure that your technician in both highly skilled and properly trained.

Checking a Technician's Training & Background

As with a plastic surgeon, ask for the technician's background.How long have they been performing micropigmentation?How many procedures have they performed?Ask to see their certificates of training and their tattoo license if required by your state.Also ask to see any continued education certificates from say seminars and conferences or specialty courses.As with Cosmetic Surgery, this field is continually changing.Newer techniques are discovered.A dermagraphics technician should always be on the look out for additional training in their field.If the technician is new ask how many hours of training they have had.Some attend only a one or two day (no more than 16 hours) course and I would certainly advise against that technician.Unless of course they have been performing applications for at least a year, with a steady flow of clients.The average course is five days (or 40 hours) but there are longer courses.Unfortunately, since there is no industry standard - and there should be -- a technician can learn from a video course after practicing on her manikin kit he or she can buy with the kit and possibly practice on her self or friends then go straight to your body.So obviously, skill counts.

Look through the technician's portfolio (recent photos of their work).Ask them point blank if it is indeed their own work/clients as there are circulated photos used all over.Ask if you may speak to any of her clients personally, like a referral list.Determine if this technician's work reflects your own cosmetic style.Is it natural?Does her work reflect a soft technique?Is he or she open to your wishes.Do you like the colors that the technician has to offer?Does she offer anesthetic?What types of anesthetics are available?Topical?Injectable?A injection should be performed by a nurse not a technician with only a week long course in dermagraphics.Some technicians advise to go to your dentist (or theirs) for a injection of lidocaine.Be advised that Marcaine is available on the internet, with no license required.Anyone can purchase the topicals and Marcaine injectable - so take care when choosing your technician.

You should choose a technician that has been in the dermagraphics industry for many years to perform your application.

The same approach should be used toward any re-pigmentation or scar camouflaging techniques.Most scars are actually quite thicker that unblemished skin and the pigment may look entirely different than what is desired.Thicker skin "tattoos" differently, as well.

What to Expect at Your Consultation

You will hopefully go over the above details. Definitely view photos and even speak with clients if available or ask for a referral list.You will also discuss your skin tone as certain pigments may appear differently through certain skin tones. Such as a mauve color will look differently implanted in an olive-toned skin type rather than a yellow or peach tone skin color.

You will discuss the different techniques and anesthetics as well as possible brow shapes and lip shapes if this is your desire. You will then ask any question you are interested in and possibly make an appointment if you are conformable with the particular technician's techniques, experience and abilities.

Preparing for Your Procedure

There really is no preparation as it is not very invasive.No more invasive than a regular tattoo. Just ascertain that this is what you want.Although tattoos can be removed it isn't an easy or quick process.Be sure that the particular technician is in fact who you want to perform your procedure.A few pointers are:

  • Refrain from alcohol at least 2 days before your procedure

  • refrain from aspirin at least 1 week before your procedure

  • refrain from vitamin E at least 1 week before your procedure

The above factors can cause you to bleed during the procedure which can disrupt the final outcome, make a mess and stress you out.

How This Procedure Is Performed

Any type of tattoo is applied by using a small electric device (a traditional gun, rotary pen, machine coil, Softap(TM), or by hand)with a needle bar that holds from one to 14 needles, each in its own little tube, to implant colored pigments.*Note: Tattoo needles are regulated by the FDA.

The tattooing device basically works like a miniature sewing machine: the needle bar moves up and down really fast, forcing the needles into the superficial (epidermis) and middle layer (dermis) of the skin, implanting whatever colored pigment the technician dips the tip into.The technician holds the machine with a steady hand while guiding it along the skin.The speed and power is controlled by a foot switch or pedal, much like a sewing machine.

The needles penetrate the skin only a couple of millimeters as the tubes restrict the needles from penetrating any deeper. Each needle has its own separate.This feature permits theneedle bar shaft to operate smoothly without damaging the needles.A single needle (sometimes a micro-needle) is used to make a very fine, delicate line.A row of needles (from 4 up to 36) is used for shading and more dense fill ins.From experience with traditional tattoos, I'd like to add that although it seems like the shading would hurt far worse (because of the multiple needles) is quite the opposite. Outlining is by far the most painful.

The end of the needle tube is dipped in a small amount of ink.The technician guides the machine over the skin and the needle(s) move up and down, penetrating the skin, implanting the pigment.Excess pigment and blood, or other bodily fluids, ooze out from the puncture wounds and the technician wipes them off with an absorbent disposable towel, repeatedly.This enables the technician to better see what he or she is doing.

Prior to getting a tattoo, the technician puts on a pair of latex gloves or other types if you or he/she has a latex allergy and inspects your skin to make sure you have no cuts, scrapes or other types of broken skin.The area is either swabbed with alcohol or sprayed with anantiseptic solution or both and the technician shaves the area of any and all hair with a disposable razor.The razors and towels used for wiping your bodily fluids should also be disposed of in the same type of biohazardous waste.

Then, thetechnician transfers a stencil of the tattoo (your desired design) onto your skin.Some technicians may draw it on with a pen.You are then asked to verify the placement, position and so forth of the design you are about to implant into your skin forever.If everything is good then a thin layer of petroleum jelly, or other ointment, is spread over the area to be tattooed.

The level of pain really depends on the individual.Some people's pain threshhold (or tolerance) is high while others are quite low.The level of pain also depends on the tattoo site. Cosmetic Tattooing can be completed per area in about an hour and a half.If you are having more than one area/procedure it may take a few hours or maybe another sitting (you come back another time).

When the technician has completed your design the tattoo is sprayed with water and antiseptic and wiped off. A layer of Bacitracin is applied over the tattoo and you are instructed to wash it no more than twice a day with mild soap and water and apply hand cream or Bacitracin as needed (no Vaseline!).If it is a normal tattoo they wash and apply the Basictracin the same as permanent cosmetics but place anon-stick gauze pad over the site and instruct you to remove it that night (no more than 12 hours).

The Road to Recovery

You will wash it gently with mild soap and apply hand cream or Bacitracin as needed. Do not apply more gauze to the area, leave it exposed to the air so that it can begin to heal but keep the area moist until the healing is complete. It takes about a week (usually seven to ten days) for a tattoo to heal.Until then, you should not apply cosmetics over the area and NO PEROXIDE .You'll "bubble" the healing skin and ink away.No peeling of the area either. If it flakes, let it flake. You will pull pigment right out of the tattoo resulting in splotchiness.

Do NOT expose your new tattooed areolae to direct sunlight for at least two weeks.If you do, you may get sunburn or changes in pigment (i.e. color fade).Use sunscreen like it's going out of style.Do NOT go swimming.That goes for fresh, salt or chlorinated water.This could cause pigment fade as well.You should always apply sunblock if you expose your tattoo to sunlight (this means artificial sunlight, too). Indoor Tanning machines will fade your tattoo as well.

You will feel tender and you may be a little sore.This can be relieved with Tylenol.Please do not peel and flaking skin.

Risks & Complications of Micropigmentation

Allergic reactions to permanent cosmetics are quite rare. You may request a skin patch test in an inconspicuous area prior to having a procedure performed.Some technicians are very routine about patch testing and perform them on everyone.Regardless, you should understand that an allergic reaction could occur at any time.

If you are prone to Keloids or hypertrophic scarring you may develop scar tissue at the treatment site. Please think this over if you are prone to the above.

General dissatisfaction may be an issue whether or not you chose your technician carefully.Either by differences in opinion or a change of heart.Think this over before committing.

The Average Prices for Micropigmentation

The approximate costs of Micropigmentation can vary significantly due to region and technician, the treatment area and amount of work.