Micropigmentation (Medical) In Tobys Hill

The specialist techniques used to create a kind of semi-permanent make-up are often referred to as micropigmentation, dermagraphics, permanent cosmetics or permanent make-up and are a type of tattooing.
 
The process involves hypoallergenic pigments being inserted into the dermal layer of the skin. This pigment will, after a healing process, stay in the skin for a number of years - breaking down and fading with time, dependent on age and skin type.

This treatment can be used to correct scarred or discoloured skin or merely as a cosmetic enhancement for your skin as it provides a convenient alternative to cosmetic pencils applied to the eyebrows, eyelids, lips and cheeks, known as semi-permanent make-up.

This concept is not really new. We know that Queen Cleopatra in ancient Egypt and some women in India and Africa have sought permanent eye enhancement with various substances over the years. They used plant and nut pigments or ground coals (carbon) as eyeliners or eye-shadows and inserted the substances around their eyes with fine, sharp implements.

However, semi-permanent make-up as we know it today is a relatively recent phenomenon, becoming more prevalent in the last fifteen years.
 
Reconstructive or medical micropigmentation attempts to correct birth defects such as cleft palate, vitiligo or alopecia and repairs disfigurement from accident or illness. It may also provide corrections to some surgery where there is subsequent scarring and in many cases simulate the areola (brown area around the nipple) after mastectomy.

If you are considering medical micropigmentation, the following information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure. It can't answer all your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the practitioner. Please ask a practitioner about anything you don't understand.

Your first appointment with a practitioner should be a consultation to discuss your requirements and expectations from medical micropigmentation. Your practitioner should explain the treatment process and take notes on your medical history to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t undergo medical micropigmentation.
 
You will also discuss your skin tone, in order to ascertain the correct choice of pigment.
 
Make sure that you obtain as much information as necessary to enable you to make a fully informed decision about this procedure and whether it can achieve the results you’d like.

The procedure

On the day of treatment you would normally be asked to sign a consent form which means that you have understood the future benefits and possible risks associated with the procedure.

Photographs of the area to be treated may also be taken by the practitioner for a “before and after” comparison later.
 
Depending on the area being treated, and your tolerance of pain, an anaesthetic cream may be first applied to help minimise discomfort.
 
The selected pigments are blended and applied into the skin with a very fine needle via a small hand held electrical device.
 
The initial appointment should take from ½ - 2 hours depending on the areas being treated and the skill/speed of the technician. There should always be one or in some cases two follow-up appointments, which should be included in the overall cost of the treatment. The follow-up appointments will take less time.

Repeat procedures

It is not possible to determine the length of time the pigment will remain visible in the skin as each person varies, however it is recommended that treatments are re-applied when necessary to freshen the appearance of the application; this may be anything from 6 - 18 months. 

Micropigmentation procedures are of a skin invasive nature (as they are a form of cosmetic tattoo) and therefore you may experience some discomfort. This may vary according to each individual's pain threshold and the skills of the technician performing the service. However, keep in mind that there are different methods available to help with pain management, including various topical anaesthetics.

Your skin should return to normal relatively quickly as any side effects such as swelling or redness is generally mild.

Allergic reactions to permanent pigments are quite rare. You may request a skin sensitivity test in an invisible area beforehand to see how your skin responds. Some technicians routinely recommend a sensitivity test as part of the treatment.

Needles inserted too deeply in the skin can cause bleeding, spreading of pigments, and damage to hair follicles.

Scarring is very rare, and usually because of an error by the practitioner performing the treatment.

If proper hygiene and sterilisation guidelines are followed, micropigmentation should be very safe with few risks.
 
It is advisable not to pick or rub the treated areas to minimise the risk of infection.

As long as you are generally healthy and don’t have any skin diseases or infections in the area treated, there are few medical reasons why patients should not undergo this treatment.
 
Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding are recommended to delay treatment. Insulin dependent diabetics and people with some heart conditions will also not be suitable for treatment. Please inform you practitioner of any medication you are taking, if in doubt seek medical advice.

If you are prone to keloid or hypertrophic scarring (red, angry, raised) you may develop scar tissue at the treatment site. Please think this over if you have experienced this in the past.

The cost of the procedure should not be the most important issue when consulting a potential technician.

Most important is the training and skill of the technician in performing the advanced micropigmentation techniques required for reconstructive results, and the confidence of the client in that skill; as well as their reasons for wanting the treatment.

An indication of prices for medical micropigmentation are as follows, but can vary considerably:
 
Camouflage -  £250 per session
Colouring complete areola (one breast)  - £500

 

Before (left) and After (right), areola restoration on a female.

 

Before (left) and After (right), eyebrow redefinition on a male (hairloss caused by alopecia).

Photographs above courtesy of Natural Enhancement (UK) Ltd

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Before paramedical micropigmentation (left) and After (right).

Having undergone a mastectomy this client requested cosmetic tattooing to create a realistic looking nipple and areola.

Photographs above courtesy of Karen Betts - Nouveau Contour.

All before and after photographs are actual patients, your results may differ.