SCAR CAMOUFLAGE

What is it?

Scar reduction can often be a 3 part procedure with the goal of improving the texture and color of a scar through the use of a needled machine. Depending on the nature of the scar, medical grade products such as inkless growth serum, peel solution, or skin colored pigment will be implanted into the dermis of the skin. Please understand that this is a far superior and advanced machine and process, in comparison to that which is used for microneedling.

 

Am I a candidate or why would I want this done?

We have successfully treated clients with scars ranging from white hypopigmented sun spots to thick, dark, and raised surgery scars. The best candidates are those that have had a scar that has been bothering them for a long period of time. In addition, you have surpassed the 8-12 month mark at which point the scar has settled, and you are not seeing further improvement.  In some instances, topicals and lasers have not helped or improved the scar to satisfaction. This scar might be in an area that you would like to expose comfortably without covering up or wearing makeup. Maybe it's a tummy tuck scar or a breast lift scar and you want to feel more confident in a bathing suit, or maybe it is a knee or arm surgery scar, and you want to feel better in shorts or a sleeveless top. It may just be some small hypopigmented sun spots on your décolletage that you would prefer blended with the surrounding skin. Whatever the reason, you are a candidate if you have a scar that simply bothers you. 

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You are not a candidate if you have recently undergone chemotherapy in the last 2 years or if your scar has not healed for at least 8 months. Those with freckles, melasma, and brown birthmarks are not candidates. These clients are better suited for laser or a topical.

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What does the procedure involve?

Every procedure is always proceeded by a virtual/in person consultation in which the client's desired treatment is discussed along with any applicable medical information. Prior to their first session, he/she will read and fill out all the necessary pre-procedure e-forms. Then, the initial session will first involve reviewing the client's forms, answering any questions, managing expectations, and reviewing the steps of the procedure. After this, the scar is examined to feel for texture and depth, then the area is cleaned and numbed for 20 min. Once the area is sufficiently numbed, the procedure will begin.

 

If the scar is raised or thick, it will be machine needled with inkless growth serum to improve the texture and flatten the surface. This is the reduction phase of scar treatment and is often referred to as "collagen induction therapy." This will need to be done almost always for any type of surgery or accident scar. This phase can be 1-3 sessions spaced approx. 6 weeks apart. In the next phase of sessions, if the scar is hyperpigmented, it will be machine needled with a medical grade strength lightening serum. This is referred to as the lightening phase and can take up to 3 sessions, spaced 6 weeks apart. The goal here is to create a lighter or white surface to put pigment on, as hyperpigmented scars do not camouflage as well.

 

And then in the final sessions, in the camouflage phase, the area is blended with skin tone colored pigment to disguise the scar. This phase is always initiated with a test patch to see how the pigment color heals on the unique individual.  Note that we will lighten hyperpigmented scars as much as possible before camouflaging. The goal here and in every session is to gradually build and layer pigment into the area. A conservative approach is always taken to avoid a healed result that does not perfectly blend and match with the surrounding skin.

 

Ideally, the entire scar treatment from beginning to end can be anywhere from 2-6 sessions on average, with each session being 1-2 hours. 20-80% improvement each session is expected. White flat scars with no texture may only be 2 sessions while dark thick surgery scars can take up to 6 sessions. Before the client leaves every session, the area will be cleaned and aftercare instructions will be discussed.

VITILIGO CAMOUFLAGE

What is it?

Vitiligo camouflage requires needling pigment with a machine into lightened skin areas gradually and delicately over time.

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Am I a candidate or why would I want this procedure done?

You are a candidate if you have been diagnosed with Vitiligo and you have been under remission for at least 6 months, as indicated by your doctor. Most of our clients have been stable for even longer than that. We think all skin is beautiful, but if you would prefer a more blended camouflaged look, we are here to help you with that.

 

What does the procedure involve?

Because the condition can be re-activated by trauma to the skin, it is important that certain precautions are taken. Because of this, during the virtual/in person consultation, a discussion of medical history and doctor approval is required to make sure the vitiligo is under remission and has been stable for an adequate amount of time. If so, prior to their first session, he/she will read and fill out all the necessary pre-procedure e-forms. Then, the initial session will always involve reviewing the client's forms, answering any questions, managing expectations, and reviewing the steps of the treatment plan. A test patch will be performed at this time to see how the area accepts pigment as well as to see how the pigment color heals overtime. The client needs to commit to 5 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart, with each being 1-2 hours depending on the size of the body area. This includes 1 test past session, and at least 4 full camouflage sessions, with desired results starting to show in the third session. After every session, the area will be cleaned and the aftercare instructions will be discussed with the client.

STRETCHMARK CAMOUFLAGE

What is it?

Stretchmark reduction is often a 2 pronged treatment with the goal of improving the texture and color of a stretchmark through the use of a needled machine.  The first part is designed to tighten and improve the texture of the stretchmark by creating tiny micro-channels in the dermis beneath the area. This ignites collagen production which heals the stretchmark over time. Please understand that this is a far superior and advanced machine and process, in comparison to that which is used for microneedling. The next part is designed to camouflage any residual whiteness that is left after the tightening process with skin colored pigment. 

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Am I a candidate or why would I want this done?

Our clients are women and men that have stretchmarks anywhere on their body, including the thighs, butt, stomach, and arms. Some of our patients have had stretchmarks since youth and others have developed skin laxity in later years from child birth or weight loss. You are a candidate if you are someone who does not like the way you feel and look in a bathing suit or tank top due to the look of your stretchmarks. Maybe you want your skin to look the way it did before pregnancy. Whatever the source reason, we can help improve the area for a more confident you.

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What does the procedure involve?

Every procedure is always proceeded by a virtual/in person consultation in which the client's desired treatment is discussed along with any applicable medical information. Prior to their first session, he/she will read and fill out all the necessary pre-procedure e-forms. Then, the initial session will first involve reviewing the client's forms, answering any questions, managing expectations, and reviewing the steps of the procedure. After this, the stretchmarks are examined to feel for texture and depth, then the area is cleaned and prepped. Once the skin is ready, the collagen induction therapy will begin by needling "inkless" growth factor serum thoroughly into each stretchmark. Note that no numbing agent is needed for this procedure. However, the needling will create a desired inflammation response.

 

Understand that it is intentional for each stretchmark to be pink and inflamed following the procedure because that's what needs to happen to tighten the area in the healing process. When the first session of needling ends, the client will be cleaned up and presented aftercare instructions while cooling the area with a gel pack. He/she will return in 6-8 weeks and oftentimes 1-3 total sessions of "inkless" reduction improves the stretchmark and no future treatment is needed after it is healed. For some candidates, this will improve the stretchmark but they would still like to add pigment camouflage to further conceal the area. This will take place 6-8 weeks after the needling reduction sessions and involves tattooing a pigment that matches the client's skin tone to the area where the stretchmark is still white. An initial test patch is often utilized on a tiny sliver of skin to further guarantee a great result. Each session from beginning to end is 1-2 hours depending on the area being tattooed, and 1-3 sessions are needed for both inkless reduction and camouflage. 20-80% improvement is expected after each session. 

ACNE SCAR "MICRONEEDLING"

What is it?

Acne scar reduction involves improving the texture of atrophic facial acne scars through the use of a needled machine and medical grade growth serum. The machine creates thousands of tiny microchannels under the scarred skin to assist in the creation of collagen. Over time, this remodels the scarred skin to a flatter more blended appearance. Please note that this is different and more sophisticated than microneedling because it uses a more advanced machine and a superior set of customizable needles. One session of inkless tattoo is equivalent to 8 sessions microneedling.

 

Am I a candidate or why would I want this procedure done?

In most instances, you are a candidate as long as you are not presently on Accutane. We also cannot needle on open blemishes. We have clients ranging from 1-2 atrophic marks on their face to those with an entire face of acne scarring. We think your skin is beautiful no matter what, but if you are someone that does not like the look of your acne scarring, we are here to help you.

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What does the procedure involve?

Every procedure is always proceeded by a virtual/in person consultation in which the client's desired treatment is discussed along with any applicable medical information. Prior to their first session, he/she will read and fill out all the necessary pre-procedure e-forms. Then, the initial session will first involve reviewing the client's forms, answering any questions, managing expectations, and reviewing the steps of the procedure. After this, the face is examined to feel for texture and depth of the acne scars, then the area is cleaned and numbed for 20 min. Once the area is sufficiently numbed, the procedure will begin.

 

Medical grade inkless growth serum will be gently needled into the atrophic areas in what is often referred to as "collagen induction therapy." A conservative approach is always taken to avoid creating any unnecessary trauma to the scarred area. Ideally, the entire acne scar treatment from beginning to end can be anywhere from 3-6 sessions on average, with each session being approx. 1-2 hours. 20-80% improvement each session is expected. Before the client leaves every treatment, the area will be cleaned and aftercare instructions will be discussed.