This ancient Asian beautification practice has gained popularity around the world. Micropigmentation-sometimes referred to as "permanent make-up"- is a technique in which, metabolically inert pigment granules are implanted below the epidermis for cosmetic or corrective enhancement. Needles penetrate the skin a few millimeters, in what is basically a tattooing process. Micropigmentation is used to enhance facial features like eyebrows, lashes and lips; to improve conditions like scarring and vitiligo (uneven pigmentation); or to reconstruct the areola at the breast area. Typically, two treatments are needed, one or more weeks apart.
Laser Tatoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal is most successful with black and blue pigments. Other colors such as red, green and yellow are harder to remove. More than one treatment is usually required to remove tattoos. Sometimes, the skin is paler in the area where the laser removed the tattoo. This is called "ghosting". Immediately after laser treatment for tattoo or hair removal, the skin will look pink and slightly swollen, similar to sunburn This will subside within a few hours and the skin will return to normal.
Occasionally, a patient may have pigment changes, blistering, or scabbing. As with electrolysis, cases of scarring have been reported with laser hair removal, but these are rare. A test spot is sometimes the best determinant of how each individual's skin will react.
*The above photos are from the archive of American Society of Dermatologic Surgery
