MediINK Artistry, a business here on the Northern Beaches, was inspired by a life changing event. Amanda Kercher-Hack, founder and master artist of MediINK, wanted to help her daughter recover from lifesaving surgery. In 2021, Amanda’s then 13-year-old daughter Scarlett had several heart surgeries which culminated in a heart transplant. These surgeries left Scarlett with significant scarring, not something a teenage girl necessarily wants. When Amanda spoke to other mums and teens who also had heart surgeries she began to see a common theme – scars. Thus began a search for a way to conceal these visible scars with a treatment that was effective and long-lasting. Enter ‘skin camouflage.’
Skin camouflage, a paramedical tattoo as it is also referred to, is the next generation of cosmetic tattoo. But instead of tattooing brows and lips, artists tattoo skin-pigmented ink over scars. This camouflage technique is relatively new to Australia, but huge in the USA and Brazil. NUE Conceal is the largest and most effective brand in the paramedical tattoo market and one that Amanda uses on her clients. “NUE Conceal serums and inks are TGA approved, come with international guarantees and even Halal safe” reports Amanda. “Being able to bring this technology to the Northern Beaches has been amazing. We love our outdoor lifestyle here and people want to look and feel their best, that’s why I love what I do. I give people back the confidence to love the skin they’re in again.”
Skin camouflage can hide all manners of scars, from c-section scars, tummy tuck scars, bread augmentation scars, self-harm scars, and facelift scars but one of the most popular quests is to camouflage stretch marks. “Stretch marks can be anywhere on the body and not everyone has the confidence to walk around with shorts or sleeveless tops if these are affected areas, so they reach out to me and I can guide them through the process. Firstly, I ask for images to determine the size and severity of the scar/stretch marks. Often a personal consultation is then needed to discuss the right treatment plan and what the client can expect at the end of the treatment” reports Amanda. “But what sets MediINK and NUE Conceal apart is that I do not go straight in with the skin-pigmented ink as that is only treating half the problem. First I must get the texture of the scars/stretch marks smooth with a medical-grade collagen serum and sessions under the LED. Sadly, not all paramedical tattooists undertake this first step and the results are lacklustre” states Amanda. “A way to tell a professional in this industry is to ask if they fix the texture first, if they don’t, find someone who does.”
Once the texture is as smooth to touch as possible, Amanda then applies the skin-pigmented ink – the ‘camouflage.’ But this crucial step is not left to chance. NUE Conceal has an industry-leading skin tone device that accurately reads your skin tone and offers Amanda the steps to create a bespoke pigment to use on each specific client. “I have had clients in teas saying just how life-changing skin camouflage tattoo has been for them” says a beaming Amanda.
“I have alot of young adults who has wanted to cover up their self-harm scars. These scars are a constant reminder of their troubles teens and now as young adults, they want to move on. I offer a safe and non-judgement space for them to heal physically and mentally.”
What of Scarlett’s scars? Well, Amanda is only too happy to report that Scarlett loves her scars and wars them with pride in her heart transplant journey. “Scarlett and her heart donor are my heroes everyday.”
Please reach out to Amanda at [email protected] or www.mediinkartistry.com.au. Once you’ve begun your skin camouflage journey, please register as an Organ Donor at www.donatelife.gov.au.