Stretch mark & Scar Camouflage
Stretch mark and scar camouflage is a non-invasive paramedical tattooing technique that uses skin-toned pigments to cover and conceal the appearance of stretch marks or scars by filling in the areas missing colour. The procedure requires little to no downtime; however, it takes on average 45-60 days for the skin to properly heal and reveal the final results.
Stretch marks are extremely common, with 90% of the population having them. They can be caused by several factors and are often located on the breasts, shoulders, stomach, hips, buttocks, thighs, and knees. Additionally, we can cover scars from surgery, burns, birthmarks, self-harm, and more.
Any scars that have fully healed and are lighter than the surrounding skin can be successfully covered by scar camouflage. Any scars that are dark red or purple, raised, keloids or less than 9 months old cannot be treated. Additionally, some individual skin types do not respond well to the scar camouflage process, which is why a patch test is so important.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the result of this procedure last?
Ink camouflage provides long-lasting results. Daily use of moisturizer, good diet, general health, and use of sunscreen will help lengthen the effect of camouflage to several years.
What kind of stretch marks are not eligible for scar camouflage?
Pink, red, or black stretch marks cannot be treated. Stretch marks must be white or lighter than the surrounding skin to be suitable for scar camouflage treatment.
The scars or stretch marks should be at least two years old to be effectively treated. When the skin stretches or shrinks so fast, it causes collagen and elastin to break. Stretch marks that are newly formed are the body’s natural healing process in response to such changes. By waiting two years before getting paramedical tattoo services, you’re allowing your skin to heal and the stretch marks to reach their final stage of healing.
Is scar camouflage suitable for all skin types?
Scar camouflage and other paramedical tattoo services work for most skin types. However, if you are experiencing hyperpigmentation or are prone to developing keloid scars, you should not try this procedure.
Book your virtual consultation today to find out if you’re a good candidate for this procedure!
How long does it take to see scar camouflage results?
It totally depends on your body’s natural healing process. Some people will see the results in around 30 days and others need a bit more time, seeing results in around 90 days. If you’re prone to hyperpigmentation (you naturally scar darker), you will most likely take longer to heal.
What to expect right after the procedure?
After the procedure, you may experience some mild irritation, redness and swelling, which can last up to one week. During the third week, the treated area will get slightly darker which means that the skin is healing. After that you will begin to see the result of your treatment. We advise you to book a follow up consultation after 45 days of your treatment as we may need to do some minor touch up.
Do these procedures hurt?
Pain tolerance varies in each individual however most people say that they experienced a pain level of 3 to 5 out of 10 (10 being most painful). Women must remember that, if on monthly cycle, they may experience slightly higher level of discomfort. So, we suggest you book your session/touch-ups accordingly.
Can I get ink camouflage if I am tanned?
If you plan on doing ink camouflage, and you are tanned, you need to wait until your skin gets back to its natural color so we can find the pigments that match your natural skin tone.
If you want to get a tan after your treatment, you need to wait until the treated area is fully healed otherwise the sun will manipulate the result you are expecting. It is also recommended to use sunscreen on the treated area prior to sun exposure to maintain better lasting result.
What happens when I tan after ink camouflage treatment?
The color of your camouflaged stretch marks or scars will not change when you tan; only your skin’s overtone will darken. So, your camouflaged stretch marks will become slightly visible due to a mismatch in colors until your tan goes away.
What is the cost of the procedure?
The final cost of the procedure depends on the size of the area and severity of the stretch marks or scar requiring treatment. Orchid Studio typically charges between $500 to $2,000 per area. A complementary consultation (in-person or virtual) is recommended so we can first find out if you are a suitable candidate or not. It is only after the consultation that the final cost can be determined by a formal quote.
Inkless Stretch Mark Revision
Inkless stretch mark revision is a cosmetic procedure that works by creating tiny wounds in the skin. We create a customized serum that is then further absorbed into the skin through the micro-wounds. Essentially, the needling and the serums together act to stimulate the skin’s natural healing process, creating more effective results than serum alone. The needling causes collagen and elastin to rebuild, which helps to smooth and flatten wider and deeper stretch marks, making them less noticeable.
Please keep in mind that is it not possible to completely get rid of stretch marks or scars. However, this procedure can drastically improve the appearance of both stretch marks and scars, making them less noticeable to the naked eye. Inkless stretch mark revision is one of the best procedures on the market to visibly improve the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of stretch marks are not eligible for inkless stretch mark revision?
Keloid scars cannot be treated with inkless stretch mark revision. If you are prone to keloid scarring, it’s a good idea to discuss this treatment with your healthcare practitioner before proceeding.
If you are prone to hyperpigmentation or post-inflammatory pigmentation, you should book a patch test before booking a full treatment to see how your skin reacts. However, this treatment is a great solution for all other types of scars, including, stretch marks, surgery scars, self-harm scars, acne scars, injury scars, and more. Just like with scar camouflage, we recommend only treating scars that are two years old or more, so they are fully healed at the time of the procedure.
How long does it take to see stretch mark revision results?
It will totally depend on your body’s natural healing process. Some people will see the result in about 30 days and others in about 90 days. if you’re prone to hyperpigmentation (you naturally scar dark), you will most likely take longer to heal.
How many stretch mark revision sessions are needed?
Everyone is different and all scars react differently. Therefore, it’s very difficult to predict how many sessions are needed to reach the results you’re after. Some clients are fully satisfied after just one treatment, while other scars may require 3 or more sessions.
By booking a free consultation, we’ll be able to look at your individual skin and scarring and give you a better idea of what results are realistic.
Can I get inkless camouflage if I am tanned?
You don’t need to wait because we are not using ink and we are not trying to match pigments to your natural skin tone so there is no limitation.
If you want to get a tan after your treatment, you need to wait until the treated area is fully healed otherwise the sun will manipulate the result you are expecting. It is also recommended to use sunscreen on the treated area prior to sun exposure to maintain better lasting result.
Do these procedures hurt?
Pain tolerance varies in each individual however most people say that they experienced a pain level of 3 to 5 out of 10 (10 being most painful). Women must remember that, if on monthly cycle, they may experience slightly higher level of discomfort. So, we suggest you book your session/touch-ups accordingly.
What is the cost of the procedure?
The final cost of the procedure depends on the size of the area and severity of the stretch marks or scar requiring treatment. Orchid Studio typically charges between $500 to $2,000 per area. A complementary consultation (in-person or virtual) is recommended so we can first find out if you are a suitable candidate or not. It is only after the consultation that the final cost can be determined by a formal quote.
What to expect right after the procedure?
After the procedure, you may experience some mild irritation, redness and swelling, which can last up to one week. During the third week, the treated area will get slightly darker which means that the skin is healing. After that you will begin to see the result of your treatment. We advise you to book a follow up consultation after 45 days of your treatment as we may need to do some minor touch up.
How long does the result of this procedure last?
Inkless camouflage provides long-lasting results. Daily use of moisturizer, good diet, general health, and use of sunscreen will help lengthen the effect of camouflage to several years.
Scalp Micropigmentation
Scalp micropigmentation, or SMP for short, is a non-invasive paramedical tattoo treatment that uses the smallest micro-needles in the market to deposit pigment into the scalp. It creates the appearance of tiny hair follicles that help thicken and restore the look of fuller hair for both men and women. By accurately replicating natural hair follicles and hair colour, scalp micropigmentation can help strengthen and add density to thinning areas, creating a more youthful look.
This is a great paramedical solution to those experiencing hair thinning, hair loss or alopecia, along with those looking to cover scalp scars from surgery or accidents.
Frequently asked questions
Who is a good candidate for scalp micropigmentation?
Scalp micropigmentation is a great solution for both men and women experiencing hair loss, hair thinning, or alopecia. Alternatively, it’s a great solution for those looking to cover scalp scars.
As with other paramedical tattoo solutions, those who are prone to keloid scarring or hyperpigmentation may not be a good candidate for this procedure.
How long does it take to see results from scalp micropigmentation?
Results are visible right away. There is absolutely zero downtime, and you can go back to your normal activities or work on the same day.
The treated area might turn red for 24 hours. The redness will diminish quickly with time in a day or two. Then you might feel that your inked dots are getting darker, and this will last for about 7 days. After that, the inked dots will start to fade and shrink which is totally natural. In about 30 days the pigments will begin to set and show their actual color.
How long does scalp micropigmentation last?
Scalp micropigmentation is one of the most effective and affordable solutions for hair loss. The results last for about 4-6 years provided that proper aftercare is followed. After that, the colours will begin to slowly fade.
Can I do SMP if I have done hair transplant?
Absolutely! SMP is recommended for those who have had hair transplant and are still looking to cover other areas of their head or want to have a fuller hair look. You can do SMP before or after hair transplant.
Is SMP treatment painful?
Pain tolerance varies in each individual however most people say that they experienced a pain level of 3 to 5 out of 10 (10 being most painful).
How many sessions do I need to achieve a complete look?
The number of sessions depends on the size of the treatment area and the extent of hair loss. Normally it will take 2-3 sessions to reach a desirable stage for most clients. Each session is about 2-5 hours long. Sessions are 15 days apart.