When researching paramedical tattoos, it is surprising how there is an insignificant array of available resources. It may be because it is a brand-new concept used for tattooing emerging in the 21st century that is growing in impact. “Paramedical” is a term defined as “concerned with supplementing the work of highly trained medical professionals,” according to Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary. The word “tattoo” was described by Quiana Cutts in the Multimedia Encyclopedia of Women in Today’s World as “body markings made by inserting ink under the skin to change the pigmentation for decorative, religious, tribal, and other reasons.” Paramedical tattooing is precisely these two definitions put together; it involves the implantation of pigments on the skin to conceal any imperfections often caused by medical reasons.
Image caption: Laura Patricia Lara (Courtesy of Pretty Ink Studio, Instagram)
Tattoos have been a controversial topic for thousands of years. According to Helen C Harton and Kristin A. Broussard in their article “Tattoo or Taboo?: Tattoo Stigma and Negative Attitudes Toward Tattooed Individuals,” tattooed persons may be perceived as having more negative character and as more deviant than people without tattoos. People treat people with tattoos differently from those who do not have any. The stigma behind tattoos may be due to the reputation that tattoos have gained over time. In the past, tattoos have been highly associated with religious sin, gangs, criminal activity, unattractiveness, as well as diseases, and infections.
Some religions, such as Christianity and Mormonism, have restrictions on body modifications, one of them being tattoos. Embedding permanent ink on the skin violates religious law. For example, some Christians take issue with tattooing, upholding the Hebrew prohibition interpreting Leviticus 19:28: “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you” to prohibit tattoos. With a large population of El Paso being Christian and Mormon, among many other religions, it is common for this mentality to exist among members of our community.
Besides religion, tattoos are also associated with criminality or deviance, as tattoos are found to be one of the most dynamic indicators of gang affiliation. Situated on the US-Mexican border and housing nearly three hundred street gangs, El Paso is one of the cities in which this social stigma can be seen, according to Daniel Borunda, an El Paso Times writer. The connection to something criminal deters people away from getting tattoos in fear of being associated with malignancy and not being accepted by their employers, family members, or peers.
In other cases, tattoos are considered unattractive because of personal preferences, leading to opposing opinions and criticism. Tattoos are also known to come with risks, as with any other forms of body modifications, such as infections, allergic reactions, and other health issues. This raises a concern about the safety of tattoos and whether they are worth the potential risks.
There is no doubt that tattoos are often negatively stereotyped, but with the introduction of paramedical tattoos, attitudes and beliefs towards this topic are being reformed. Even though tattoos have gained a bad reputation, they are slowly becoming redefined with the introduction of paramedical tattoos.
Paramedical tattoos are a relatively new form of body art artists use to conceal scars, stretch marks, discolorations, or realistic anatomic impressions such as nipples for those who undergo a mastectomy. Other terms it may be known as include post-surgery tattooing and reconstructive tattooing. Similar to conventional tattooing, an electric machine and sterile needles deposit ink into the dermis layer of the skin, but the objective is different. Traditional tattooing is meant to showcase the artist’s artistic ability and the wearer’s individuality through complex colors and designs. However, in the case of paramedical tattoos, the artist’s job is to conceal insecurities. Paramedical tattooing can cause scars from surgeries, burns, and even self-harm. By using medical grade ink, this specialization of tattooing helps to disguise these scars, allowing the individual to feel confident again. Paramedical tattoos cover skin abnormalities often caused by a medical condition, accidents, congenital disabilities, or surgical treatment. They are a combination of body art and medicine.
This new tattoo technique began with Eric Catalano, a 39-year-old tattoo artist with a small tattoo shop in the outskirts of East St. Louis, Illinois. A man who, after losing two of his fingertips in a construction accident, visited his tattoo shop and thought asking him to tattoo a nail on his amputated fingers would be funny. When Mr. Catalano finished his work, what was supposed to be a joke turned into a serious work of art. He uploaded a picture of the tattooed fingernails online and unexpectedly received millions of people admiring his work. People worldwide contacted him to see if he could also tattoo other missing body parts. People worldwide started asking Mr. Catalano to draw all sorts of body parts, such as belly buttons and breast areolas. Eventually, word of his work spread, and other tattoo artists jumped into the new concept.
Paramedical tattoos can help in a variety of ways, such as:
Reconstruction of Missing Body Parts. Using tattoo ink, paramedical tattoo artists can create realistic images of fingernails or toenails of amputees who have lost body parts due to accidents or illness. People who undergo abdominal surgery risk losing a belly button, so paramedical tattooing can be used to draw a new belly button in the place of the old one. Paramedical tattoos can also help breast cancer survivors feel complete again after losing their areola from a mastectomy or breast reconstruction. By blending different colors and utilizing three-dimensional tattoo techniques, paramedical tattoo artists can add dimension and create a more realistic look with the illusion of nipple protrusion. People born with a cleft lip also get paramedical tattoos. Red and pink inks are used to define and reconstruct the lips.
MCA - Natural Stretchmark and Scar Repair. Also known as the inkless technique or dry needling, Multitrepannic Collagen Activation (MCA) involves using a tattoo machine and needle but no ink. The same method is used when performing a tattoo. A needle is inserted into the surface layers of the skin, but just enough to cause minor trauma and stimulate blood flow in that area. The stimulation triggers the skin to produce melanin, elastin, and collagen, promoting new skin production. To promote further healing, Infrared LED Therapy is used on the patient. This inkless tattoo method causes stretchmarks to become smoother and firmer and helps scars relax and regain their original color.
Skin Camouflage. Other names for this process include Corrective Pigment Camouflage, Skin Re-Pigmentation, and Skin Color Tattooing. It can be used after the MCA treatment if further scar or stretchmark concealment is desired. Skin camouflage can also be used on other areas of irregular pigmentation, such as vitiligo, birthmarks, or burns. Various pigments are mixed to create the perfect blend of colors that imitate the patient’s skin tone. Scalp Micropigmentation.
Image caption: Skin Camouflage Treatment
(Courtesy of Pretty Ink Studio, Instagram
Scalp Micropigmentation, usually abbreviated SMP, helps all those suffering from hair loss due to stress, postpartum, or other health-related conditions resulting in alopecia. Micro-needles deposit ink that resembles hair-like follicles, giving the appearance of fuller and thicker hair. This method is also performed on sparse eyebrows, eyes lacking eyelashes, and the appearance of a fuller beard.
Being a relatively new idea, paramedical tattoo artists are rare. You will encounter an inconsiderable amount of results if you look up paramedical tattoos in El Paso, Texas, on a search engine. If mentioned to your peers and family, they will not likely know what you are talking about or have never gotten one before.
Diana Ruiz, a young lady born and raised in El Paso, exemplifies the limited awareness of paramedical tattoos. She obtained a scar on her face reaching five inches in width and three inches in length right on top of her forehead. Ruiz mentions with sadness in her eyes, “When I was 14 years old, I was involved in a car accident. Every time I look in the mirror, I am reminded of a tragic night in which I almost lost my life”. She mentions that the scar is something that she wishes she could hide as it detrimentally lowers her self-esteem and her self-confidence. When asked if she had heard of skin camouflage, a paramedical tattoo that could blend in the scar with the rest of her skin, she was unaware but became very interested.
Alternatively, consider the case of Sarah Guerra, a 70-year-old woman who has lived in El Paso all her life. When asked if she would ever get a tattoo imprinted on her skin, she immediately said she would not. She mentioned that she associates tattoos with malignancy, and they also stand against her religious values. She proceeded to say, “I do not know why women get tattoos. It ruins their virgin skin and makes them look vulgar”. She changed her opinion when asked if she would get a tattoo that could blend in with her skin to cover up her vitiligo markings.
Diana and Sarah are a small sample of the many people who look in the mirror and are constantly reminded of their insecurities. Some people have large burn scars, surgical scars, skin grafts, congenital disabilities, and oversized birthmarks in very noticeable areas and feel uncomfortable every time they leave their homes. Women who have had children are left with unbearable stretchmarks that surround various parts of their bodies. These women feel conscious of their stretchmarks and often have difficulty finding clothes that can cover them all. In the US alone, the cosmetic plastic surgery market is a $16.5 billion industry, and most procedures result in scars that have an emotional impact on the patients, not to mention the fact that there is a deep correlation between the way you see yourself and your mental health. Clients can use paramedical tattoos to help heal emotionally and mentally from experiences that may leave them with a changed physical appearance.
By introducing paramedical tattoos to El Paso, we will see a change in diversity, medicine, workforce, education, religion, ethical values, and aesthetics. People from all over the world who lack this service in their country will travel to our city, resulting in tourism and greater diversity. The medical field will be highly impacted as tattoo artists can work alongside doctors to satisfy patient needs. With the increased popularity of paramedical tattoos streaming through social media, the demand for paramedical tattoo artists will rise. Knowledge about paramedical tattoos will spread through educational methods to train new artists and inform the public. People who oppose tattoos for religious reasons may reconsider what a tattoo represents in society. People who used to oppose tattoos may be more inclined to get one for its medical benefits, resulting in a change of moral beliefs. Paramedical tattooing has the potential to become an abundant and prosperous business that can provide comfort and confidence to those who seek to cover their insecurities. A new outlook on tattoos is being introduced to our city, eventually resulting in cultural acceptance of permanent body markings.
One of the most visited paramedical tattoo artists in El Paso is Laura Patricia Lara, a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso. After graduating from college, she worked as a high school teacher for several years and eventually became a principal. When the COVID pandemic started in 2020, Laura and the rest of her coworkers were forced to work from home. Laura had extra time due to working from home and began tattooing permanent makeup as recreation. Little did she know that what was simply a hobby at the time would turn into a long-term passion and career.
Laura began a portfolio of her work on Instagram, and many people became interested in her work. Eventually, she opened Pretty Ink Studio in East El Paso and decided to leave her career as a principal to focus solely on tattoos. Laura mentions, “I remember I got told by my counselor that I would not make it at a university, so I should just settle. [However], I received a bachelor’s and master’s degree, and did a principalship. I am now a full-time business owner.”
After opening her studio, Laura enhanced her skills by taking more training, and besides permanent makeup, she also learned how to do paramedical tattoos. Some of the services that she offers are Scalp Micropigmentation, MCA stretch marks and scar lightening, and skin camouflage. “Seeing all my clients walking out of my studio feeling more confident makes me feel the most fulfilled.” Laura also offers courses to teach others who would like to do the same as her in hopes that the number of tattoo artists providing this service can grow locally. She finishes by saying, “This is more than just a job; I get to change people’s lives daily!”
Tattoos have been a popular form of self-expression for centuries, and the trend is not slowing down anytime soon. Existing controversies are slowly diminishing with the introduction of paramedical tattoos, a method that utilizes permanent ink to cover insecurities or restore what a person is missing. Local paramedical tattoo artists like Laura Patricia are helping people in our community heal emotionally after experiencing changes in their physical appearance more than often caused by medical conditions or physical trauma. Now that they are being used medically, tattoos are gaining popularity and wide acceptance in El Paso’s culture.
