Enhancing the healing process of skin grafts

Skin grafting is used for extensive wounds that are difficult to suture or for wounds that will produce prominent scars that could cause physical or psychological problems for the patient. woundsinternational.com

If your skin has been affected by a major wound and had a need for a skin graft, the skin graft itself may present as a visible difference. Living with this visible difference can have major implications for your quality of life if your confidence is impacted. Grafting involves the creation of another wound at the donor site and the graft will often be of a different tone and texture to the surrounding skin. Medical Tattooing can be used to reduce the visibility of graft or donor site.

As a specialist Medical Tattooist, I am often the final stage in a patient’s recovery from trauma or surgery. Understanding the impact the skin graft may be having on your life, you can have every confidence that I will treat you with empathy and care, and use my specialist skills to reduce the appearance of the graft or donor site.

How does it work

Skin Graft Re-pigmentation with Medical Tattooing

After a graft has healed, pigments can be implanted into the graft to match it to the colour of the surrounding skin. This will be done in a number of sessions building up the colour and detail over time. The larger the area concerned, typically more sessions are required.

The colour will be up to 50% darker immediately post treatment. Do not panic. After 4-7 days it will lose colour, and may seem to have disappeared as it is obscured by the healing layers of skin. The true healed colour will come through approximately 4 weeks after the initial treatment. The results are varied for each individual from minimally noticeable pigment after the first treatment, to nearly completely camouflaged

Medical Tattooing can last between one to five years before a Colour Boost may be needed.

Get started:

Pre-Treatment

For your comfort, refrain from alcohol or caffeine in the 24 hours pre-treatment.

If you are having medical tattooing on your face, please arrive without makeup on, or arrive early and remove your makeup 20 minutes before your treatment time. This gives your skin time to calm down and return to its normal colouring.

If you have had even ONE COLD SORE in the past, and are having a lip treatment or the area of concern goes onto or close to your lip, use an anti-herpes medication 5 x daily before your treatment and for 5 days afterwards. This will help prevent a breakout which could cause you discomfort and scarring. You will need to obtain this from a chemist or your doctor.

Please arrive for your appointment at least 10 minutes early to fill in any clinic forms, use the bathroom and get yourself settled. Rae will come to the waiting room/reception at your appointment time.

Consultation

A consultation is essential to determine a full medical history, patient expectations, suitability of treatment and a personalised treatment plan. For your safety as well as your practitioners preparation, a consultation is a requirement to determine the best course of action.

Treatment

You will be taken to the treatment room for initial photographs. Before any treatment begins, the area to be tattooed is cleaned. If required, a topical anaesethic will be applied and the pigments will then be mixed. Once the anaesethic has worked, any drawing on of features or shapes will happen. You will have time to discuss, modify, work out the most suitable shape, size and placement for you. Once this is all agreed, the tattooing will start. It is not a particularly painful treatment but more anaesethic can be applied during the treatment if needed.

Get started:

Rae Denman Medical Tattoo & Expert Witness Ltd

Located at: Tillow Barn
Roothill Lane,
Brockham,
BETCHWORTH,
RH3 7AS