By Oliver Hughes
One way to take the edge off pale or uneven breast scars is with areola scar camouflage; a method of introducing well matched pigment to the skin to dull the contrast. Scars left by a mastectomy, lumpectomy, mammoplasty or the like can be made to stand out less, if not entirely eliminated. It will not put back normal sensation or do away with scar tissue, but it can make them less of an eyesore.
I am in the habit of writing on beauty and wellness in no uncertain terms, shunning glossy rhetoric for plain speaking. For those in Australia who have put areola scar camouflage on their list of possibilities, one has to ask what is realistic in terms of results and cost, and look at matters of suitability, the training of the practitioner, how mature the scar is, the pigment used and the healing process.
What is to be expected from areola camouflage?
In paramedical tattooing the use of pigment is to see off the visual disparity between a scar and the rest of the skin. A practitioner with the right training will put this to work on any number of breast surgery scars, or where the areola and nipple need restoring, or the scarring has turned a shade too light.
It is of most value where the colour is the issue. You will not want it for a scar that is deeply indented, painful or raised. The word “camouflage” can be misleading in that respect, as though it puts right every blemish you can see. It does not.
Colour and the nature of the scar
There is a difference in colour with hypopigmented scars (less than the surrounding skin) and hyperpigmented ones which are darker. What pigment camouflage deals with is the colour, not the depth, thickness or collagen structure of the scar.
Then there is the matter of age, hormones, the sun and the general state of the skin. I would have a consultation to have the scar appraised in person, not from a photo taken in the bathroom where the lighting is kind enough to have people making all manner of good decisions they should not.
For whom is the treatment?
Those whose scars are stable and fully healed and for whom the colour differential is an impediment to confidence or intimacy may find it of benefit. We are talking mastectomy or mammoplasty scars among other surgical concerns. But the aim is a visual improvement of a subtle sort, not something dramatic. One with active skin problems or uncontrolled medical conditions that hinder healing would be better advised to look elsewhere.
Suitability
Before a booking is put in hand a qualified practitioner ought to have a view on your medical history, allergies, medications, expectations and the texture of the scar. Get medical clearance from your surgeon if he or she is of the mind to suggest it.
The following should be in order:
- The scar is mature, stable and closed up.
- No open skin, weeping, infection or redness without cause.
- An understanding that pigment has a way of fading or moving about.
- Acceptance of the limits of colour matching, especially as skin tones change.
- Raised or indented scars have been put before a medical professional.
Particular care is called for with hypertrophic scars or a tendency to keloids; some scar types can be aggravated by needling and a good practitioner will not be casual in his questions about past behaviour of the scar.
How the contrast is reduced
PMU pigments are chosen by the practitioner to sit between the scar and the adjacent skin. With some colour correction and tone matching the hard line is softened, not covered with an artificial block of colour. A result worth having is one that is quiet, not obvious. There is natural variation in the skin, unlike a sheet of printer paper, so the use of several shades, warm and cool, light and deep, is to be expected.
On the subject of skin tone
Your undertone and the present condition of the skin must be factored in. In the high UV of an Australian summer a winter shade will not do. Put the question to the practitioner on how they go about assessing colour and whether the pigment can be put right in a subsequent session should the healed colour prove to be warmer or lighter than you had in mind.
Pigment and reality
Do not think that areola tattooing will remove tightness or fill an atrophic depression, let alone flatten a raised scar. Those are separate issues. If the scar is tethered, thick, itchy or in pain, have a dermatologist or plastic surgeon look at it first.
Expectation Versus Reality
The common expectation is for the scar to be gone. More likely it will be less in evidence under normal clothing or across a room, but up close it will still be there. The outcome is contingent on a number of factors: the technique of the practitioner, sun exposure, aftercare, skin type and how well it holds pigment, as well as the maturity of the scar. One would expect a responsible provider to be able to put forward examples of healed work, not just what has been done that day.
Treatment
A consultation to take your medical history and examine the scar is the normal first step. In the course of this the practitioner will go over the colour strategy and what you can expect in terms of result, risks and the like. He or she should make clear if a test area is in order and how many sessions of camouflage are called for.
When it comes to the treatment itself, the skin is prepared and the area marked off before the practitioner puts in the pigment with the right kind of paramedical tattooing equipment. As the time taken is a function of the scars’ size, location and quantity, it is best to have an idea of how long it will run before making transport arrangements.
Making Your Clinic Visit
Build in some time for the consultation, signing of consent and to be given aftercare instructions. Those coming from the region or another suburb might want to see what the parking and public transport situation is and if there is lift access; one also has to consider whether the trip back will be comfortable.
It is not uncommon for someone to have a driver or support person along for the visit, especially where anxiety is high or the treatment has been extensive. There is no point in scheduling a full day of errands to follow. The scar is apt to be tender and the way home is better made by the most direct route than a scenic one.
- At the consultation give all pertinent medical details and have a good look at the plan for colour and treatment.
- Make sure you are in full accord with the consent information before proceeding.
- Then adhere to the written aftercare and be present for the review.
You would do well not to put in for treatment right before a beach holiday, any event with constricting clothes, or if you are due for a hard workout or swimming. Let the skin have its quiet moment. Tattooing involves piercing the skin, which is important to consider for areola scar camouflage procedures.
Healing And Sessions
Two or three appointments is the usual estimate but it is not set in stone; the condition of the scar, the skin’s reaction and the extent of the area will dictate things. More than one session is often required since the pigment will seem lighter or softer once it has healed. An ethical practitioner will not put you under the impression that one visit will suffice for an identical result. The first may put down the coverage and colour, a subsequent touch-up will sort out any unevenness.
What to expect in the way of healing
To start with the area can appear more saturated or sharper than it will in the end. Some redness or sensitivity is possible. It is up to the individual when the pigment will settle. Do not be swayed by social media to disregard the provider’s own aftercare. Refrain from rubbing or picking at the site or leaving it in the sun. Should you notice pus, fever, swelling or pain that gets worse, put in a call to the practitioner or a health professional.
On Selecting A Practitioner
This is perhaps the most important decision to make. Do not be content with a general permanent makeup portfolio, seek out one with bona fides in paramedical tattooing and breast scar or nipple and areola restoration. Find out who does the work and their training, and how they stand on infection control. They ought to be able to show you results on different skin tones. A website can be polished without being a qualification.
Questions Worth Asking
There are some questions that need to be put to them: what pigments are used, how is colour correction handled, how do they judge a scar’s maturity? You are entitled to straight answers on cost, risks and the timing of touch-ups. The clinic should be forthcoming about its hygiene and health procedures in language anyone can understand. Local rules in Australia differ according to the service and where you are, so ask how they are in compliance. For a general overview of scar treatment the Healthdirect guidance from the Australian Government is worth consulting.
Long-Term Results
Pigment retention and healing are both a matter of aftercare. The practitioner will have put down in writing what is to be done as far as cleansing, water and sun exposure and when to get back to normal. When it has all healed, keep the UV to a minimum or the scar and adjacent skin will be affected. A good colour match can be thrown off if part of it tans and part does not.
Touch-Ups
If the scar has changed or the pigment has not held even, a touch-up is in order. But wait until it has fully healed before making plans for one, do not be in a hurry because the early going is patchy or too light.
In a strict sense one should not consider the results to be permanent. Over time pigment has a way of fading and the look of it can be altered by anything from sun exposure or changes in the scar to surgery, weight fluctuation, pregnancy or hormones. It is worth inquiring as to how often the practitioner will put in an appearance to review or refresh his work.
Cost And Consultation
Practitioners and their locale will dictate the price for scar camouflage Australia services, as will the treatment area, how many scars are involved, what is needed by way of consultation and the number of sessions one can expect. A proper quote will make clear if the initial appointment, any colour correction, touch-up or review are part of that figure.
One might find “SMP scar camouflage cost” searches to be misleading; scalp micropigmentation and breast scar camouflage employ different techniques and are distinct services. Put like with like and have the full estimated cost put to you in Australian dollars instead of going on a headline starting price.
Why Cost Questions Matter
| Cost Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Is there a charge for the consultation? | Some clinics will bill for assessment and planning on top of the rest. |
| Will the total be affected by the need for a review or touch-up? | The total price may depend on whether a review or touch-up is included. |
| Does scar size affect the quote? | The size of the scar can influence the quote since more than one or a larger one means more time at the table. |
| What is the policy on corrections? | Clarify the policy if the healed colour calls for some adjustment. |
| What happens if the scar changes? | If the scar were to change due to skin changes or future surgery, further work may be called for. |
Then there is the matter of not being swayed by the cheapest option. If the practitioner has little experience, offers scant aftercare or nothing in the way of a credible portfolio of healed work, a low upfront price is no value at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
For those about to book, here is what comes up. In brief: while pigment will lessen contrast it is no substitute for medical treatment of a scar and invisibility cannot be guaranteed.
How Much Does SMP Scar Camouflage Run You?
You will not find a set price in Australia given that SMP is generally taken to mean scalp micropigmentation, something apart from breast scar camouflage. An itemised quote in AUD is the way to go to cover everything from the consultation to the touch-up. The number of sessions and scars will have a bearing on the bottom line.
Can Pigment Be Put Back Into A Scar?
After an evaluation of the texture and colour of a fully healed scar, a paramedical tattoo artist with the right training will apply pigment. Do not think of this as a biological restoration of the scar’s natural pigment; the result is subject to maintenance and may fade.
Scar Camouflage: How Many Sessions?
Two or three is a reasonable plan for most, including a touch-up, but it is an individual thing. The plan is shaped by the maturity of the scar, the size of the treatment, how well the skin holds the pigment and the colour contrast.
Concealing Scars With Makeup
There is no one best product, it hinges on where the scar is, its texture and colour and whether it has fully healed. High-coverage or medical grade body makeup can do a temporary job of reducing contrast but will not alter the texture of the scar. Have a health professional or qualified practitioner put you in mind of a product and keep cosmetics off any broken or healing skin.
Does Areola Camouflage Do Away With A Surgical Scar?
It does not. A camouflage tattoo to the areola can make a scar less of an eyesore by way of colour but it will not take away the tissue, put sensation back or fix an indentation or raised shape. Where there is pain or tightness a medical opinion is in order.
An Informed Decision
If a mature scar from breast surgery is visually intrusive and the colour stands out, areola scar camouflage could be justified. But the prudent course is to be patient during the healing process, select your practitioner with care and have realistic expectations.
Take the time to decide. See what the healed results are like, get a handle on the aftercare and the overall cost. One wants a paramedical tattooing experience that is calm and considered, not hurried along like some airport impulse buy. The objective is to feel at ease in your own skin with a result that looks natural.