What should you know about cosmetic tattoo for hypopigmentation?

Hypopigmentation means an area has less pigment than the surrounding skin. It can follow inflammation, infection, injury, or another skin condition. [Atopic Dermatitis](/conditions/atopic-dermatitis/) and [Tinea Versicolor](/conditions/tinea-versicolor/) are examples of conditions that can be associated with lighter areas, but a clinician should identify the cause. A patch that is changing, scaly, itchy, or newly appearing should be evaluated before camouflage.

First confirm the diagnosis and whether the colour has remained stable. A practitioner should review the skin tone, patch edges, texture, sensitivity, previous treatments, and risk of pigment change after needle injury. The pigment is placed into the skin to blend the area; matching can be difficult because natural skin colour changes with light, tanning, and inflammation. Medical treatment may be more appropriate in some cases, such as [Excimer Laser Therapy](/treatments/laser-and-energy/excimer-laser-therapy/) or [Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-calcineurin-inhibitors/).

Seek assessment before tattooing for a spreading patch, active eczema, scaling, infection, bleeding, or an uncertain diagnosis. After treatment, contact a clinician for increasing warmth, pus, severe pain, extensive swelling, fever, or a rapidly changing colour. Avoid covering a suspicious or inflamed patch until it has been examined.

Ask what caused the pigment loss, whether it is stable enough for camouflage, how a test area will be assessed, what colour changes are possible, and who will manage a reaction or an unwanted result.