Use of tattooing to camouflage various scars.

BACKGROUND

Tattooing often is overlooked by plastic surgeons when treating scars. However, some scars are not apt for surgical scar revision and cannot be dramatically improved by laser treatment either. Tattooing can be considered as a simple alternative in such situations.

METHODS

The medical records of all the patients who underwent medical tattooing for causes other than routine nipple-areolar reconstruction between 2008 and 2010 were collected. Pre- and postoperative photographs were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 32 mature scars in 28 patients were treated with tattooing. The scars treated were mainly categorized as depigmented (skin or vermilion) or hairless. The median follow-up period was 14 months, and a retouch procedure was required in 31% of the cases. No significant complications developed, and the patients were generally satisfied.

CONCLUSION

Tattooing can be applied in treating scars when conventional methods are not indicated. It can be used for the alopecia scar of a patient who does not want a hair graft, for the depigmented scar that would not benefit dramatically from laser treatment, or as camouflage for a three-dimensional structure when surgical reconstruction is not feasible.