Vitiligo Treatments:
Medical Tattoo Camouflage & Pigment Recovery Stimulation
Vitiligo is an immune system condition which is often mistaken for a skin condition. The immune system wrongly recognises melanocyte cells responsible for the production of melanin as a foreign body and destroys them. In effect we observe 'bleached' patches of colour on the skin. It can similarly affect hairs that grow on the areas where skin pigment has been destroyed, resulting in patches of white hair. This deficiency of the melanocyte cells – which produce the pigment that gives the skin its natural colour – is not classified as a dangerous or life threatening condition. It affects people of all races and can be widespread or limited to a small area of the body.
*** Please refer to the Gallery page for more examples of Treatments pictures and to the Price List page for the prices and packages.
Vitiligo Treatment: how does it work?
During consultation we will discuss your desired outcome, expectations and results. I will then perform a colour match and we will together choose the best pigment colour. Once we are both happy, we will go ahead with the rest of your treatment.
Topical numbing cream is applied before the procedure to minimise any discomfort. The procedure over all is very comfortable. The treatment itself takes between 30 - 45 minutes, but additional time must be allowed for the detailed consultation and the design stage. El recommends 1-1.5h per each vitiligo treatment visit. The treatment cost is £200 per visit, or can be purchased as a package of 3 for £500.
Vitiligo Treatment: what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Vitiligo can be a very devastating condition. It’s not so much about affecting people physically but more about how it can make them feel and portray themselves. Also other people can be cruel and stare or comment, which can make the sufferer very self-conscious, especially if the vitiligo is affecting the face, hands or other bare parts of the body. The general public doesn’t really understand the condition and people often think it can be passed by skin to skin contact, or by secondary contact through touching the same objects. It’s NOT true. I was a vitiligo sufferer myself and I know exactly how bad living with it can make you feel. There is no known cure for vitiligo but there are ways of improving the visual part of the condition. There are also ways of improving the behaviours of your immune system to help stabilise or even reverse the effects of the skin whitening.
The Vitiligo Camouflage treatment is not for everyone: it’s very suitable to treat mid-dark skin tones, while not really advised for the pale Scandinavian and light Caucasian tones. For the latter I provide another treatment called Pigment Recovery Stimulation. This treatment is designed to stimulate healthy cell renewal which in effect should start producing melanin into the area. I also work in cooperation with other specialists who can help you concentrate on boosting your immune system in a correct manner, which should reset your body from the destruction of melanin to recognising the cells as its own.
There are many treatments for the effects of vitiligo out there, ranging from UVB lamps, steroid creams and topical oils. I’ve tried all of them and I know what worked for me and what didn’t. With perseverance I managed to recover about 95% of my pigment loss but it took time and a lot of research, experiments and patience with the treatments plans. I fall within the Caucasian undertones group therefore I couldn’t turn towards the Camouflage work but only towards the Pigment Recovery Stimulation.
I will do my best to help you and I know exactly how you feel. Don’t be embarrassed or worried - I do understand the condition, I don’t judge and I do care. Contact me on: 0208 022 1267, info@perfectdefinition.co.uk or fill the contact form.
Medical Tattoo Camouflage
Also known as Micropigmentation or Permanent Cosmetics is a method of placing pigment into the skin imitating natural skin colour on the vitiligo afected skin area. The effects of the treatment are expected to last between 1-3 years and longer in some cases.
Pigment Recovery Stimulation - Microneedling
Skin Needling, also known as MCA or multi-Trepannic Collagen Actuation is a technique used by Permanent Cosmetics Artists in which, as a result of the healing process, benefits are achieved in wrinkle and stretch mark fillings, scar remodelling and skin re-pigmentation. The treatment can be used also to reduce acne scarring, surgical scarring, burn contractures and trauma scarring. Benefits of those treatments are widely recognised by the medical industry.
The process is designed to stimulate the body to renew and repair the affected area, allowing the melanocytes to move freely in the dermal layer of the skin, the process is also known as phagocytosis. Stimulation to the area triggers body to re-programme and return the area to the state it was before the trauma took place.
The Technique
Tiny particles of natural and synthetic iron oxide pigments are placed at the epidermal level of the skin to replicate the natural appearance of skin colour. The pigments are pharmaceutical (medical) grade and approved for treatments in the UK and EU. A top of the range, safe and world recognised machine system is used for the treatment which is designed specifically for Micropigmentation procedures using only specialist, brand new, single use, and sterile needles.