What is Inkless Scar Revision?
Inkless Scar Revision (ISR), is a pigment-free skin treatment designed to improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
Unlike traditional camouflage techniques that use ink to conceal scars, this treatment focuses on stimulating collagen remodeling and regeneration via the body's natural healing process.
Over time, this treatment helps to smooth texture, colour correct & soften scars and stretch marks so that they blend more seamlessly with the surrounding skin.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
ISR uses a specialised microneedling device to create tiny, controlled punctures in the scar tissue. These micro-injuries trigger the body's natural wound healing response, stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin, and softening tough collagen fibres, particularly in older, more established scars.
This process is known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT). But it doesn't stop there. Those same micro-channels also serve as a direct pathway for our medical grade serums to enter the skin and work on the deeper layers of your scar tissue, targeting concerns that needling alone can't achieve.
Depending on your scar and your goals, we'll select the serum that's right for you, whether that's addressing dark discolouration, or improving the tone and texture of light, silver scars.
ISR key benefits
1
Lasting solution
ISR works gradually, with results that build and improve over time, but last indefinitely.
2
Softens texture
Softens the texture of raised & pitted scar tissue through CIT (Collagen Induction Therapy).
3
colour corrects
Improves scar discolouration with the help of supportive, colour-correcting serums.
4
safe for all skin types
Safe and effective across all skin types, including darker skin tones.
5
Minimally invasive. minimal downtime
Minimal downtime with most clients returning to their day immediately after treatment.
INKLESS SCAR REVISION (FAQ'S)
No. Numbing cannot be administered prior to an inkless camouflage treatment as it causes a restriction of blood flow to the treatment area. During a treatment your camouflage artist will use blood flow indicators (such as petechiae) to gauge the depth of their needles, this ensures that your technician is working at the correct depth.
In addition, many treatment areas are too large and require large amounts of topical anesthetic to be successfully numbed. Using large amounts of topical anesthetic can potentially lead to topical numbing agent overdose.
*We also recommend that female clients book sessions with their menstrual cycle in mind, as pain sensitivity can be heightened at certain times.
Before commencing a treatment, an in-person consultation with your artist is required. During this consultation, your artist will discuss realistic treatment outcomes, pricing per treatment area, and provide an estimate of the number of sessions likely to be required.
Most clients require 2–5 sessions on average, however, both the number of sessions and results can vary depending on scar/stretch mark type, age, and individual healing response.
Individuals with any of the following contraindications are not suitable for (ISR):
- Under 18's
- Women pregnant or breastfeeding
- Individuals prone to keloid scarring
- Medical conditions that impair healing
- Individuals with bleeding disorders
- Diabetes
- Undergoing chemotherapy
- Current Accutane users (must be off Accutane for 12 months)
- Skin cancer lesions
- Wounds that aren't fully healed
- Active skin infections
- Heart conditions Scars & stretch marks (less than 12 weeks old)
- Scarring that has not fully healed. Scars must be 100% closed. This means, no scabs, no cracking, no weeping, or open spots
This treatment is minimally invasive and requires little to no downtime. Most clients are able to safely resume their normal activities immediately after the session is completed.
While healing you may notice...
- Redness and mild swelling for 24–72 hours
- Temporary sensitivity / tenderness 24-72 hours
- Light flaking and dryness as the skin renews 3-7 days post treatment.
- Petechiae (Tiny red spots) 24-48 hours
- Temporary darkening of the scar tissue as the skin heals (appears around day 3, can last for up 4 weeks)
ISR is safe for the vast majority of skin types and tones, from very fair skin through to medium and olive complexions.
For those with naturally darker skin tones, ISR can still be performed, however there is a slightly higher risk of pigmentation changes in the treated area. This doesn't mean treatment isn't possible, it just means we take an extra step first.
A patch test is strongly recommended for darker skin tones before committing to a full treatment. This allows us to assess how your skin responds and make sure ISR is the right fit for you before we begin.
If you're unsure whether your skin tone is suitable for treatment, don't worry, that's exactly what a consultation is for. We'll assess your skin, discuss your concerns, and let you know whether a patch test is needed before we get started.
We can start treating scars / stretch marks as early as 10 weeks after the skin has completely closed.
*For the skin to be considered as completely closed:
- No signs of scabbing
- The skin is dry and intact
- No open areas, gaps, or drainage (pus/fluid)
- There are no stitches, staples, or Steri-Strips
- No signs of infection
Camouflage tattooing involves implanting pigment (ink) within the scar tissue to help the scar blend in with the skin. Think of it as a type of colour correction.
In an Inkless Scar Revision treatment, we do not use pigments, instead we use specialised serums, and microneedling techniques to help support tissue health.
Inkless Scar Revision (ISR) is suitable for:
- Stretch marks (new or mature)
- Surgical scars
- Injury scars
- Acne scarring
- Pigmented scars
- Self-harm scars
- Burn scars
- Atrophic scars (pitted)
- Hypertrophic scars (raised)
Inkless Scar Revision (ISR) is not suitable for (but not limited to):
- Spider veins
- Vascular Lesions
- Birthmarks
- Moles
- Sunspots
- Keloid Scars
- Vitiligo
Yes, purple scarring tends to respond exceptionally well to ISR treatments. In some cases, purple scarring can respond faster to the treatment compared to silver scars.
