Special Procedures
Scar Relaxation or Needling
One of the most exciting new news for permanent cosmetics
or micropigmentation has been its application in the treatment
of scars. Annette Walker, R.N., was the first to note that
by utilizing a single needle or probe, “relaxation in
the scar tissue” can be achieved; thus the patient can
assume a more normal appearance and achieve increased comfort.
It is not unusual for the patient to feel immediate relief
from an initial scar relaxation treatment.
The hypothesis for the success of a single needle is that
the applied energy to the scar tissue band is highly focused
like a surgical laser. Thus, the surrounding tissue is minimally
affected by the physical disruption and, therefore, minimal
secondary scarring results. With this precision, the practitioner
can safely select the areas for scar disruption.
In those situations in which there have been no color changes
but only scar contractures, the practitioner can treat these
areas with a “dry probe” after applying an antiseptic
and/or anesthesia, followed by a light lubricant.
Thus, a scar that is a year old can be colorized with flesh
tone pigments to blend in with surrounding skin tissue (for
example, plastic surgery scars)1. This would be
considered scar camouflage.
(No photo at this time)
Camouflage or Color Neutralization
Historically, the traditional approach to skin camouflage
was to cover the affected area with one or two colors. Annette
Walker has taught that this static approach is unsuccessful
and leaves the patient with an obvious artificial appearance.
With the use of a pointillistic approach and multiple colors
with tonal variance, the practitioner can achieve a more natural,
blended and three-dimensional appearance to the skin (for
example, nipple areolas)2.
A woman, who has had a mastectomy where the nipple/areola
wasn’t replaced, can have pigment implanted so that the
appearance of an areola is evident. Nancy LaTouche was trained
to do Scar Relaxation and Camouflage, which can greatly improve
one’s appearance as well as self-esteem. Since Nancy
is no longer performing procedures you will have to do your
research to find a technician - check these websites: www.spcp.org
or www.micropigmentation.org.
"Before Scar Camouflage" |
"After Scar Camouflage" |
Pigment Lightening
and Pigment Lifting Process
There are many products and processes that
strive to lift or lighten unwanted pigment. Lifting or correction
is attempted by irritating the skin, inducing accelerated
exfoliation, controlled burning of the skin with various
laser treatments and the process of dermabrasion, or sanding
of the skin. All of these methods represent an assault on
the skin, thus increasing the probability of scarring.
To successfully lift or lighten unwanted
pigment without the probability of leaving a scar tissue
in its place, it is best to use the natural scientific functions
of the body in conjunction with a product of the body -
salt. The use of a saltwater compound is due to it's affect
on the tissues surrounding pigment, resulting in pigment
lifting or lightening via osmosis. 3
First the client must inform the technician
how long the pigment has been in the skin. This will help
him or her know more specifically how to combine the salt
and water mixture for the most successful correction result.
It is easier to get fresh pigment out of skin, versus pigment
that's been in the skin a longer period of time. That being
said, the success rate of lifting small amounts of pigment
with this relatively new method has proven quite successful.
Nancy LaTouche trained in this lifting process and has successfully
corrected "small" areas of unwanted pigment in numerous
clients.
3 Photos of the Pigment Lifting/Correction
Process
Before
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Click to Enlarge |
A dot of pigment went below her lash-line, however
it can be lifted. |
After
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Click to Enlarge |
Using a sea-salt/water mixture, the red spot is
where the pigment was corrected. It will develop
a small scab, which will fall off, taking pigment
with it. |
Healed
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Click to Enlarge
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This is her healed results after having a dot
of pigment lifted.
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Areola Repigmentation
Areola Picture # 1
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Areola Picture # 2
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Areola Picture # 3
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Although Nancy is no longer doing Permanent
Makeup procedures she has taken on a new role as Permanent
Makeup Consultant.
1 Zwerling, Charles "State
of the Art Micropigmentation" Scar Contractures, 1993, pp.
175-176
2 Zwerling, Charles "State of the Art Micropigmentation"
Color Neutralization, 1993, p. 177
3 Grimm, Margie and Haake, MaryJane "Pigment Lightening/Removal
Protocol", pp. 2
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