Scar Camouflage Tattoos at Inked Beauty Brighton
- Sophie, Permanent Makeup Artist
- Nov 6
- 4 min read
At Inked Beauty Brighton, I meet so many people who’ve been living with scars for years, sometimes decades, before they even consider that they could soften how they look. Then one day, they hear about scar camouflage tattoos and think, hang on… that’s actually a thing?
It is. And it can be quietly life-changing.
So, here are the questions I get asked most often, and a few honest answers.
What is a scar camouflage tattoo, exactly?
It’s a paramedical tattoo that blends a scar into the surrounding skin using pigments matched to your natural tone.
Unlike body art tattoos, this isn’t about decoration, it’s about balance. The aim is to draw the eye away from the scar so your skin looks more even and natural.
It’s part science (colour theory, skin anatomy, healing) and part reading the subtle undertones in your skin and mixing pigment until it just blends into you.
Does it really work on all scars?
Not every scar is suitable, and that’s okay. It depends on how it healed, the texture, colour, and age all matter.
If your scar is still red or purple, or less than a year old, I’ll usually suggest waiting a bit longer. Once the tissue is fully settled (around 12–18 months post-healing), that’s when pigment takes best.
What if my scar is raised?
Raised scars can be treated with medical needling with Nue Regen Serum. It is an advanced serum designed to improve skin texture, targeting stretch marks & scars. Engineered with a cutting-edge blend of regenerative ingredients. Nue Regen works by stimulating the skin's natural healing process, promoting the regeneration of skin cells and improving skin elasticity and firmness.
What if my scar is red or purple or darker than the surrounding skin?
If you have waited 12-18 months and your scar is still red or purple we can try to treat with some sessions of medical needling with an inkless serum called Nue Bright. The serum works by encouraging the skin's natural rejuvenation processes, aiming to lighten and improve the visual texture making the skin appear more radiant and evenly toned. In some cases the dark scar can then be camouflaged using colour neutralisation.
Will it make my scar completely disappear?
Camouflage doesn’t mean erase. The aim is to reduce contrast so your scar blends naturally with your skin tone and the eye isn't drawn to it.
Under certain lighting, or after tanning, you might still notice a faint difference, but for most people, it becomes something they don’t even think about anymore.
And that’s the real goal: peace with your skin.
Does it hurt?
Most people find it totally manageable. It feels more like light scratching or tingling than true pain. Scar tissue can be unpredictable, some areas are numb, others oversensitive. I alway recommend bringing your ear phones so you can put on some music or a podcast to take your mind off it. Alternatively, we can chat to keep you distracted.
How do you match skin tone?
This is where the art happens.
I custom-blend pigments to match your natural tone and undertone, because skin isn’t one colour. It shifts, breathes, and reflects light differently across your body. Getting that mix right means your scar quietly fades into the background, where it belongs.
What happens when I get a tan?
The pigments used for scar camouflage do not contain melanin, that’s the part of your skin that changes when you tan. So, when your natural skin darkens in the sun, the camouflaged area will stay the same shade.
If you tan easily, this can make the scar appear lighter for a while compared to the surrounding skin. Over time, UV exposure can also cause pigments to fade or shift slightly in tone.
To keep your results looking their best, always protect the area with a good SPF, even on cloudy days.
Do you treat stretch marks?
In most cases we will use technique using medical needling combined with an inkless serum called Nue Regen, designed to improve skin texture for stretch marks.
It works by stimulating the skin's natural healing processes, promoting the regeneration of skin cells, and improving skin elasticity and firmness.
You can read more about it here.
Traditional camouflage uses pigments to match your skin colour. Inkless relies completely on your body’s own healing - no ink, just regeneration.
In some cases we may move to implanting pigment after some initial sessions have been completed. Each client journey is different and I will discuss what options are recommendation for your stretch marks during your consultation.
How many sessions will I need?
Many see an improvement after one treatment, though we suggest a minimum of 3 sessions before judging any results. More sessions maybe required for deeper or larger areas. When you have your consultation I will give you an estimate of the number of sessions required. Here are some examples of the progress expected after 1 session.
What’s healing like?
Healing takes about 4–6 weeks for the surface, though the pigment continues to soften and settle for up to three months.
You might see mild redness and a bit of flaking early on, but it’s usually minimal. Just gentle cleansing, keeping it dry, avoiding the sun, and resisting the urge to pick (seriously, don’t).
How long does it last?
The results are semi-permanent, usually lasting between 2 and 5 years after the initial sessions. This is very dependant on your scar, skin type and lifestyle.
Over time, the pigment gently fades as your skin renews itself. A touch-up every few years keeps things even and fresh.
Curious to know more?
If you’d like to find out whether your scar is suitable for camouflage tattooing, I offer free, no obligation consultations at my Brighton and Peacehaven studios or via a video call.
We’ll look at your skin together, talk through the process, and make sure you feel completely comfortable before deciding anything.
Fill in my form here, or send me a email or DM and we can go from there. I can't wait to help you with your scars.
Instagram & Tik Tok @inkedbeautybrighton
Comments