How each one works
Inkless revision
A tattoo machine is used without pigment. Working the stretch mark encourages the skin's natural repair response, which over a series of sessions can leave marks flatter, smoother and closer to your surrounding skin.
Pigment camouflage
Custom-blended, skin-toned pigment is placed into lighter stretch marks so they stand out less against the surrounding skin. The result depends heavily on a precise color match.
Side by side
| Inkless revision | Pigment camouflage | |
|---|---|---|
| Improves | Texture and appearance | Color contrast |
| Color matching | Not needed | Essential |
| If your skin tans | No mismatch | Can look lighter or darker than tanned skin |
| Sessions | Usually several, weeks apart | Usually a few, weeks apart |
Which stretch marks respond best
- Good candidates: mature marks that have faded to white or silver, on the belly, hips, thighs, arms or chest.
- Wait: new red or purple marks are still changing, and treatment isn't done during pregnancy.
- Talk it through first: if you scar easily or form keloids, raise it at your consultation.
Healing
Treated areas look red and slightly raised at first, then scab lightly and settle over a week or two. Keep the area clean, wear loose clothing, and stay out of the sun and pools while it heals. See paramedical aftercare.
Realistic results
Neither method erases stretch marks. The goal is marks that are noticeably softer and less visible. Improvement builds gradually across sessions, so photos taken before your first session make progress easier to see.
Cost in Fresno
At Inked Arch, inkless stretch mark revision on the belly starts at $149 per session; other areas are quoted at consultation. Erica also teaches inkless stretch mark revision to other artists.