Medical-grade tattooing to camouflage depigmented scars

Scars are apparent, in part, as a result of the loss of cutaneous pigments. This disfigurement can be concealed successfully with medical-grade tattooing. This treatment was evaluated on 39 scars in 18 patients. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, unless carried out in conjunction with other procedures. The medical-grade tattooing dye was selected during the initial consultation to match the skin color in a natural light ambiance. An electric tattooing machine was used to implant the medical-grade dye in the dermis. Successful concealment of the depigmented scars was achieved subsequent to the first procedure in all but 4 patients. Two of the 4 patients exhibited inadequate camouflage of scars, and 2 were judged to have excess pigmentation following treatment. Both these conditions required revision.