FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MICROPIGMENTATION
Learn mistakes to avoid when considering dermopigmentation for medical or cosmetic solutions.
Don’t see your question answered here? I encourage you to book a consult with me and get all your questions answered. You may even come away feeling more empowered and relieved than you can imagine.
I have a special place in my heart for women going through or who have survived breast cancer. I excel at 3D nipple and areola complex reconstruction , and semi-permanent makeup for before or after chemotherapy. By using state of the art nano needles and the highest quality 100% Vegan inks, my artistic approach and high level of expertise in dermopigmentation can help you close this chapter of your life with a lovely cherry on top, leaving you feeling whole and feminine, with your inner beauty shining on the surface.
“Working with breast cancer women
is so rewarding because they come to me scarred and afraid.
They have been through so much,
and don’t know what they can expect from medical tattooing.
Then, at the very end when they look in the mirror,
I’ve seen tears of joy!
It’s like you closed the book on a
very long story that was really difficult.”
–Beatrice Pillet O’Connell
Frequently Asked Questions about Dermopigmentation
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Please disclose in advance if you have any of these conditions as it will influence how and when we work.
Anemia
Pregnancy & Breast feeding
Psoriasis in the area to be treated
Non-controlled diabetes
Blood thinning medication
Steroid in the last 6 months
Retinol cream in the treated area
Antibiotics in the last 3 weeks
Active herpes outbreak
Lip filler within 8 weeks
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Dermopigmentation is the medical term for micropigmentation. Permanent makeup (also called cosmetic tattooing) falls under the same term. All four words often are used interchangeably. The official medical term, however, is dermopigmentation. Learn more about CosMed.ink services
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Micropigmentation is performed using a pen-like instrument and tiny needle to inject pigment into the middle layer of the skin (called the dermis). Micropigmentation has many uses, both medical and cosmetic.
On the medical side, micropigmentation is often employed after mastectomies and breast reconstruction to create the appearance of an areola on the breast. Micropigmentation also evens out skin tone and restores pigment to areas of the skin that have been affected by stabilized vitiligo.
On the cosmetic side, micropigmentation procedures create the look of permanent makeup and hair. The scalp, eyebrows, lips, and eyelids are popular treatment areas. Fuller eyebrows, a seductive “cat eye” eye liner, and restoration of the hair line are popular applications of cosmetic tattooing. It can be used to even out asymmetrical lips as well. Micropigmentation is also used to camouflage scars from burns, cleft lips, and surgeries, like tummy tucks and facelifts.
Medical tattooing restores the original color in an area of skin by implanting nano pigments to correct hypo pigmented skin achromia or conceal scarring. It can be used for scalp micropigmentation, permanent makeup, and mastectomy tattooing.
The micropigmentation process is safe, non-invasive, and well tolerated by the body. This intra-dermal non-medical procedure is virtually painless.
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Whether it is called permanent or semi permanent, it is important to know that nothing is permanent.
The good news is that micropigmentation implant of the inks is much deeper than microblading.
Microblading deposits the pigment only between the first and second layers of the skin, as opposed to micropigmentation’s implant in the second layer of the skin.
Various factors will determine how well the pigment will retain. Because permanent makeup is exposed to sunlight it will slowly fade away. Brows will need touch ups every two years to remain fresh as will lips. Overall, expect a touch-up every 2-5 years. This includes scalp micropigmentation. Nipple-areola complex will last ten years as it is protected by clothing.
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Before performed by a trained dermopigmentation specialist, the area to be tattooed is numbed with a cream so the procedure becomes painless.
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Micropigmentation or tattooing of the eyebrow involves implanting pigment into the second layer of the skin (the dermis), using a cosmetic tattooing gun, which does not compromise the long term health of the epidermis (top layer of the skin).
Microblading is a semi-permanent form of brow tattooing as well, that uses a blade-shaped tool with a row of tiny, barely visible needles to implant the pigment superficially into the top layer of skin.
Microblading is not for everyone. It is not suitable for oily skin, thin, fragile, or sensitive skin. Results do not last as long as a machine hair-strokes method which causes significantly less trauma to the skin.
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Hair loss tattooing, called tricopigmentation, is temporary scalp micropigmentation.
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Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) and scalp tricopigmentation (STP) are both cosmetic tattooing treatments that disguise hair loss. A series of dots of varying density are tattooed onto the scalp to give the impression of a close-shaved head, to fill in thinning areas, or give the appearance of thicker hair. Both men and women receive these treatments.
The difference between the two is that SMP is a permanent treatment for hair loss. The medical tattoo artist will use permanent-grade inks. Touch-ups will be needed every 2-6 years.
With STP the inks used to create the tattoo will fade gradually after 12 - 18 months.
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CosMed.ink is a one-stop service location for women on the breast cancer journey. I specialize in pre-chemo semi-permanent makeup (eyebrows and eyeliner are the most popular choices) to look and feel good during the hair loss process of chemotherapy.
Another specialty of mine is post-mastectomy tattoos, including 3D nipple reconstruction and areola tattoos. I’m highly trained in working with the nipple-areolar complex. I apply all my expertise and artistic talent into creating realistic and symmetrical 3D nipples and areola that will help you feel whole and feminine again.
To care for skin traumatized by radiation and chemo, I offer luxurious European skin care treatments specifically formulated to nourish skin at these times.
We have partnered with Ink4Pink, an organization offering financial assistance to breast cancer survivors. Check the Ink4Pink website for more info.
“My training and expertise mean your
micropigmentation
will last longer, look more realistic,
and ultimately make you
feel more whole.”
–Beatrice Pillet O’Connell
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My approach to medical tattooing is individual to each person. People have different skin situations. I take it case by case. During the consultation you book with me we’ll talk more about your skin history, what your specific needs are. I can usually provide a range with the final cost dependent on how your skin takes the pigment and other variables.
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Skin is traumatized by radiation therapy. It’s tender. When working with skin and pigments you must know that and have experience working on a wide variety of skin types and cases.
Furthermore, doing it well requires training. Surgeons offer areola tattoos, but their pigments may only last 2 years and won’t be 3D realistic looking. Surgeons are not trained dermopigmentation specialists. They are doing the tattoo as a courtesy. They don’t have the time or training to do it well, may be using outdated equipment, and most likely are not up to date on the latest medical tattooing techniques. They simply don’t have the time.
My training and expertise as a medical tattoo artist mean your nipple and areola tattoo will last longer, have a signature three dimensional realism, and ultimately make you feel more whole. I stay on top of industry developments, use high quality inks, and have the latest state-of-the-art equipment. While your surgeon may offer this work as a courtesy, it is my passion.
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At the time being we are not in network with any insurance providers but soon we be able to provide our clients with a letter for reimbursement to insurance for nipple and areola tattooing.
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We are pleased to our partnership with Ink 4 Pink! This amazing organization provides financial assistance to cover the cost of life-changing tattoos for breast cancer survivors.
Regardless of their financial situation eligible individuals will have access to 3D micropigmentation of the nipple & areola, scar camouflage, and semi-permanent makeup for eyebrows.
Ink 4 Pink believes that all survivors deserve to feel complete after recovery.
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A reputable medical or cosmetic tattooist artist will be experienced, provide adequate follow up care, and use up to date equipment, techniques, and pigments.
Do your homework before choosing your medical tattoo artist. Make sure they have received proper training from a reputable institution. An online course is not the same as in-depth, paramedical dermopigmentation training. An expert medical tattoo artist like me has been trained on how to work on compromised skin, scars, radiotherapy burns, chemotherapy reconstructions, regular burns, and all manner of traumatized skin. They will understand both the medical and cosmetic applications of micropigmentation.
Ask where they get their inks and what type of ink they use. Some inks (particularly ones made in China) are cheap. They contain a vast list of unregulated chemicals. Further, the darker a pigment, the more toxic it is, red being the worst. Once inserted, the pigments will rest in the lymph nodes. High quality ink is crucial to receiving a safe tattoo. Verify with the tattoo artist that they carry ink lines that pass all health safety guidelines like heavy metal free and that they contain non-carcinogenic chemicals. Paramedical quality inks such as the ones I use are 100% vegan and cruelty free products.
Make sure the medical tattoo artist requests that you complete a medical questionnaire before treatment. The medical questionnaire my clients fill out is crucial to how I choose to approach the micropigmentation for each individual.
Your search for a micropigmentation solution has come to an end. I invite you to book a consult with me to learn more about how my extensive training, experience, and artistic vision can help you feel whole again.