Restorative Tattooing ServiceS
Leading the industry with our Restorative Tattooing expertise, Her Velvet Hand offers paramedical services that encourage healing and restoration for the skin. Using the transformative art of tattooing, we specialize in creating, restoring, and camouflaging scars, skin grafts, stretch marks, and areolas.
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Paramedical
Paramedical, by definition, means services or professions that supplement medical work but do not require a full qualified physician. In the tattoo world, paramedical tattooing is inline with supporting an individuals healing journey by creating, restoring, or camouflaging a person's scars, skin grafts, stretch marks, areolas, and much more through the art of tattooing.
This type of work is revolutionary, transformative, and healing. We value this art immensely and in all capacities. Her Velvet Hand is honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this portion of your journey.
Let’s explore all the modalities HVH has to offer.
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Inkless Scar Revision Tattooing
An innovative take to achieve more balanced look to the skin, Inkless Tattooing creates micro channels within the skin. This is very similar to micro needling, done with a group of sterile needles to create a controlled wound or trauma that causes the body to begin restoration. We infuse CBD serums that work deeply to regenerate collagen and elastin resulting in visibly smoother, even, and firmer skin. This is optimal for individuals who wish to regenerate the skin instead of cosmetic tattooing with ink.
Several sessions might be recommended to achieve desired results of smoothing and restoration. It must be mentioned that this method is for existing stretch marks, not any form of prevention of new ones. New stretch marks need to be at least 1 year old before we can perform scar revision on them.
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Scar Camouflage
You might have heard of this term, usually in relation to Stretch Mark Camouflage. This is a modality of using flesh toned ink, specific to every individual's skin tones, and tattooing over the affected area to create an optical illusion to disguise and camouflage. This technique can be used all over the body, from stretch marks, self harm scars, burns, facial scars from accidents or surgeries, surgical scars, and more. Scar Camouflage works best on individuals with hypopigmentation type scars/ stretchmarks, meaning lighter. Darker or hyperpigmentation can be more tricky to conceal and can cause more trauma to the skin. Immediately after a session, your skin – especially on incision marks or stretch marks – will be red, inflamed, and angry! This is normal and expected. As the inflammation goes down, you will start to notice the healing and pigment shift. On average 2-4 sessions are needed to achieve ideal camouflage and concealment with 6 weeks in between each session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both procedures generally require multiple sessions for optimal results.
For scar camouflage, the pigment is layered on translucently and slowly builds in color for the best match to the surrounding skin. Each session is charged individually (i.e. no touch ups included) because every person and every area requires a different number of sessions.
How many sessions required depend on a number of factors, such as how thick the scar is, how your body heals, lifestyle, etc. On average, it will take 2-3 sessions.
For ISR, typically clients see a 20-50 percent reduction in the appearance of stretch marks, with around half of these people requiring more than one treatment.
This is done with swatches of colors and a blend of pigments to achieve the closest color possible to your individual skin tone. Initially, expect redness and inflammation the day of!
Usually, it is mildly uncomfortable! Many times with scars, there can be a lack of nerve endings and thicker skin from the trauma so it’s possible you might have no sensation in the area. It can feel like a vibration or buzzing to the area.
These procedures can be interchanged and confused as they both camouflage imperfections. Scar camouflage uses pigment to do so and Inkless scar revision (ISR) does not (it uses vitamins, serums, and needling instead). Both work excellently when selected correctly. Generally, we would do a scar camouflage procedure for scars and ISR for stretch marks. However, some people opt for a camouflage (pigment) procedure on their stretch marks and this works really well too! ISR and scar camouflage can also be combined where we treat the scar for texture with ISR for the first couple sessions and then do camouflage with pigment to hide any discoloration or lack of melanin on the scar. Each case is different and your artist can help guide you.
Day of the service, please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Tight clothing, rough or hard fabrics can be irritating and uncomfortable post procedure. You might have some residual swelling or tenderness.
Read our full pre + post Care Instructions here.
Forever once healed!
Remember that scar camouflage is essentially a tattoo and therefore sun will continue to fade it, so keep the area protected with SPF.
For Inkless Scar Revision: This procedure does not prevent stretch marks, but rather treats existing ones, so if you are prone to them, they can come back. Once treated, they will be significantly less visible with smoother texture, however they can come back if the skin stretches significantly again.
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Areola Restoration
The craft of 3D Areola Tattooing is a skilled and refined form of tattooing. The goal is to produce a life-like, three dimensional nipple that gives a complete optical illusion and creates an esthetically cohesive look. This can extend from reconstructing partial areolas from mastectomies to complete tattooing when the Areola was completely removed during surgery. We also offer this service to those desiring a “Areola blushing” or a new shape or color!
Your voice is heard throughout the entire process, from desired shape, comfort level, color and more. A blend of pigments are used to create an realistic and 3D areola.
The outcomes of this service are absolutely life altering. Once completed the individual is left with more confidence, a sense of relief, and positivity that we hope can overshadow the scar and trauma of the experience that caused them in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We offer in-person consultations to determine if you are a good candidate, explain the procedure and give you the opportunity to answer any questions you may have.
Book a consultation online by clicking here.
More than likely, we will be able to correct/touch up your previous areola work. Please schedule a consultation so we can assess the area and discuss goals.
Make sure you have read the pre and post care entirely. The day of the procedure you will want to wear a comfortable bra/shirt and bring any photos of your breasts prior to surgery, if you have them (not needed). Feel free to bring inspiration photos to show color, shape and size preferences.
Review our pre- and post-care instructions here.
This process is usually complete in one appointment. However, in some cases, clients require a second session 6-8 weeks later (at a reduced rate) depending on one's individual healing. At the second appointment, color can be added, tone can be adjusted, details perfected, and any other touch ups required can be done.
The tattoo will last a lifetime (unless exposed to UV) but may need small touch ups every 3-10 years to put detail back in.
The area will be covered with a Tegederm dressing for up to 7 days and you will be given detailed aftercare instructions and all supplies needed to care for your new tattoo.
No. 98% of the time there is no pain in the reconstructed breast, for the other 2% we apply a topical anesthetic so there is little to no pain.
In most cases, yes. Although clients must pay out of pocket for their procedure, most insurance companies will reimburse you. It is worth checking and asking if your insurance will reimburse you, even partially, prior to your appointment. We will provide any documentation they request.
Your artist will work with you to determine color and size by first drawing impermanently on the area. Once the color and size is agreed upon, they will create dimension with color and shading, giving you a realistic nipple and areola. When the procedure is finished you will be amazed with the results!
Pricing
$50, will be deducted from total price
Uni-lateral - 1.5 hrs
$300 ($150 initial , $150 touch-up)
Bi-lateral - 2.5 hrs
$500 ($350 initial , $150 touch-up)