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Micropigmentation (Medical) Information

Procedure Time: minutes depending on size of area.

Recovery Time: No downtime

Results Duration: Pigments fade over time, top-up treatments needed every 6-18 months.

Cost: Varies depending on area . Areola reconstruction approximately £500 per breast.

Anaesthesia: Not usually required, topical anaesthesia can be applied.

For a full list of FAQs please .

Micropigmentation can simply be described as minute particles of coloured pigment being placed mechanically below the surface of the skin. This treatment can be used in a medical to correct scarred or discoloured skin following accident, surgery or disease, such as the recreation of an areola (the brown area surrounding the nipple) following reconstructive for breast cancer. Depending on the area being treated, and your tolerance of pain, an anaesthetic cream may be applied first to help reduce any pain. A very fine needle is then used to place into the skin at a very high speed via a small hand held electrical device. Micropigmentation can be compared to having a tattoo as the new pigment or colour is in the dermal layer of the skin, just below the . You can return to work and normal activities immediately after a . The cost of micropigmentation can vary considerably with recreation of the areola costing approximately £500 per breast.

We would like to thank Debra Robson-Lawrence for her expert help.

Micropigmentation (Medical) Information FAQs

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 scarred or discoloured skin or merely as a enhancement for your skin as it provides a convenient alternative to cosmetic pencils applied to the eyebrows, eyelids, lips and cheeks, known as .

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 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, more prevalent in the last fifteen years.
 
Reconstructive or medical micropigmentation attempts to correct birth defects such as cleft palate, vitiligo or alopecia and disfigurement from accident or illness. It may also provide 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 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.

People who undertake micropigmentation can do so for many different reasons, ranging from those who simply want to look their best at all times, to those who require some form of corrective skin enhancement for medical reasons.

Some people who might choose to have medical are listed below:

Your first appointment with a practitioner should be a consultation to discuss your requirements and expectations from medical . 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 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 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 may also be taken by the 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 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 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 months. 

No recovery time is necessary, however treated areas will appear a little dark for a few days and exfoliate and lighten to a more natural looking shade.
 
In some instances, on delicate skin there may be swelling and or slight bruising, however you can return to work and normal activities immediately after a treatment.

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 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 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 .

Scarring is very rare, and usually 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.

It is very important that you follow the advice of your practitioner carefully after micropigmentation to reduce the risk of .

Post-treatment advice includes:

As long as you are 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 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.

This is not officially recognised as a medical procedure, so someone can perform it without a medical background. However, these days insurance companies are becoming more strict and many are refusing to insure those a medical or beauty qualification.

NOTE: some of these procedures are more advanced than others. Conditions such as scar camouflage and areola re-pigmentation are more and thus require an experienced technician with advanced training to carry them out.

You should therefore choose a technician carefully by considering their training, experience and their portfolio. Do they have experience in performing the type of treatment which you are considering? Below are some questions, which you should ask as you "shop around" before undergoing treatment.

You will obtain your desired look after a combination of consultations and discussions, the first treatment and then the procedures. A good relationship between you and your technician is of the utmost importance to guarantee success.

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

Most important is the and skill of the technician in performing the 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

Micropigmentation treatments can range from the very subtle to the dramatic, depending on what the client is looking for. A general rule is the more dramatic, the longer it will last. The most frequently requested medical or reconstructive procedures are explained below.
 
Eyebrows
 
Eyebrows are the frames of the face. When sets of brows are designed correctly they can lift the eyes and give a more youthful appearance to the face. Clients with sparse eyebrows can have them corrected, and they can be totally reconstructed for those will total hair loss such as Alopecia.

Advanced techniques for eyebrow reconstruction include the art and skill of replicating real hair.

Nipples

Aeolas or the brown area around the nipple can be defined to correct damage and scarring incurred following Breast surgery (she said) such as lumpectomy, mastectomy and/or reconstructive or operations on the breast area.

Advanced techniques for nipples include colour blending.

Please take into account that although the pigment does fade over time, it may never completely disappear. If you are really unhappy with the results, laser treatment may be required to remove the pigment permanently.

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 Enhancement (UK) Ltd

Before paramedical (left) and After (right).

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

above courtesy of Karen Betts - Nouveau Contour.

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

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All information contained within this site is carefully researched and maintained for accuracy of content. Please note that for prospective purchasers of aesthetic treatments, information and guidance provided does not substitute an in-depth consultation with an experienced practitioner.