Medical tattooing is an advanced type of cosmetic tattooing created to improve the appearance of a broad spectrum of skin discoloration issues. Also called restorative micropigmentation, the process aims to reconstruct the treated area so the skin looks like the surrounding tissues. Our Sacramento office offers medical tattooing with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Donald Hause.
What Can Medical Tattooing Do for You?
Restorative micropigmentation is often used to restore areas of the skin and conceal scarring and abnormal pigmentation. The medical-grade pigment is implanted with a medical tattoo machine using single-use sterile colors in various shades. It can improve the appearance of most skin discoloration issues in virtually any body area, including on the lips, scalp, areolas. Studies show patients are highly satisfied with their medical tattooing results.
Medical tattooing can be used to achieve the following:
- Improve the appearance of tissue alterations above the upper lip after an orofacial cleft procedure with uneven skin tone and texture
- Simulate the nipple and areola appearance in women who have had a mastectomy to restore a sense of femininity
- Recreate eyebrows and eyelash lines and improve the appearance of alopecia (hair loss) on the scalp
- Balance asymmetrical lips
- Improve discoloration caused by scarring
- Address vitiligo, in which white, pale patches appear on the skin due to a lack of melanin
- Improve unsightly incision scars, lacerations and burns
- Address abnormal pigmentation caused by achromia
How Medical Tattooing Works
Medical tattooing is performed using a single-use instrument to implant a sterile mineral or organic pigment. The tattoo pigment is placed in the dermis (skin) using the needle of a medical tattoo machine. The skin may be numbed with a topical anesthetic to make the treatment virtually painless.
A second procedure is required a month after the first medical tattooing session to correct the shade and tweak the final results. Patients can use a soothing cream for a few days to limit irritation, and the area must be protected from the sun, water and cosmetic products for optimal healing.
Medical tattoos may last up to five years and can be refreshed when they start to fade. The treatment requires special, sterile equipment and medical-grade pigments that are not available at tattoo parlors. Only a qualified medical professional should perform medical tattooing.
If you’re interested in medical tattoos, contact Dr. Hause in Sacramento today to learn more about this innovative treatment. Schedule your consultation by calling (916) 646-6869 or filling out our online contact form.
