KIRKLAND, Wash. - There's hope out there for people who want to cover up scars or burns thanks to a procedure called paramedical tattooing.
By mixing colors and ink, esthetician Kathryn Hampton at Dermavita Skin Care Center in Kirkland is able to match the color of the tattoos to a person's healthy tissue. She then uses a tattoo needle to color in and cover up any scars, burns and skin disorders.
"My client's self-esteem is affected. Their self-confidence is affected. It's very traumatic to be scarred but there is an answer," said Hampton.
Her client Christine Kelly was in a house fire when she was just 5 months old and sustained second and third degree burns on her face and body.
"I was made fun of growing up through grade school and covered up my scars with make-up and my hair," said Kelly.
Christine spent most of her life undergoing numerous plastic surgeries, skin graphs and lasers. She recently had her facial scars covered up through paramedical tattooing.
"I think it's incredible and that there's hope our there for people who have scars," said Kelly.
Hampton says the paramedical tattooing usually takes three treatments. She calls her work very fulfilling, especially helping clients who are breast cancer survivors cover up their scars.
For more information about paramedical tattooing click here.
