Vitiligo re-pigmentation or camouflage is a cosmetic technique that uses products to hide white patches of skin caused by vitiligo. It’s not a cure for vitiligo, but it can make the patches less noticeable.
Vitiligo is a condition that presents as pale patches of skin. It can be localized or can affect several areas of the body and face. Once it develops it is considered permanent. It is believed that it is an auto immune condition that attacks the melanocytes (melanin) in the skin. These are the cells that give our skin Colour.
Darker skins have a dense amount of melanin where lighter skins, such as with red heads, have little. Melanin in the skin basically dictates whether you will burn or tan when your skin is exposed to the sun. Vitiligo patients have patches where the melanin is entirely absent and, if the skin around it is naturally darker then the condition is very noticeable.
Camouflage tattoo treatments are an advanced practice that require experience and extensive knowledge of the relationship between Colour theory and skin. It can carefully be disguising the noticeable patches of skin with tattoo that dramatically diminishes the contrast between the affected skin and the skin around it, thus restoring a more even skin tone.
Several treatments are required to build up and blend the colours, and to create the most natural result. Treatments are comfortable and clients are educated on post-service care to keep their camouflage tattoos in top condition.
How does it work?
How does it work?- Skin camouflage for vitiligo is designed to replicate the colour of non-vitiligo skin by applying special products over vitiligo patches.
- A cosmetic technician uses a tattoo pen to implant colour pigment under the skin
- The pigment is custom blended to match the patient’s skin tone
- The procedure reduces the contrast between pigmented and non-pigmented skin
** It’s important to remember that skin camouflage is not a medicine, or cure for vitiligo, the structure of your skin and your vitiligo will stay the same. **
Benefits
- Can be used on the face, hands, body, and other areas
- Can be a safe and effective treatment for vitiligo
- Can help eliminate vitiligo
How many sessions will it take?
A thorough consultation with you will determine how many treatments you require for optimal coverage. It is important to gradually build over several sessions to get the most natural results and this permits me to monitor healing and make adjustments to your treatment plan.
What does Vitiligo Re-pigmentation feel like? Does it hurt?
Pain varies on the individual, the area we are treating, and other contributing factors such as menstrual cycle, sleep deprivation, stress levels, caffeine intake, etc. however most clients describe it as “not” painful at all. We will use a topical numbing cream before and/or during your treatment to minimize any discomfort.
Healed results after 1 treatment
Frequently ask questions
I have very dark skin. Can you help me?
We are able to create a customized colour blend to work toward diminishing the contrast between your existing skin colour and the hypopigmented patches. Completed over several treatments, allowing the skin to heal between sessions permits me to make adjustments as we proceed while also gradually building the colour in order to achieve optimal healed results.
Will my vitiligo disappear on the treated area?
We strive for the best possible results, but it is impossible to guarantee perfection. This is true of any para-medical tattoo procedure, done by any artist.
Guarantees simply cannot and should not be made as everyone is different. My experience informs my knowledge of colour mixing and density creation, but as the skin is forever changing there may be slight contrast remaining. What we can assure is that the appearance of your vitiligo will be dramatically reduced.
