A TATTOOIST is adding new meaning to the old adage of beauty being only skin deep by introducing medical tattooing to Colchester.

By doing so Alice Nicholls is changing people’s lives and repairing their self-esteem one needle prick at a time.

Alice, of An79 in Eld Lane, has already worked with mastectomy patients for areola reconstruction, clients who want to camouflage scars and recreate the appearance of hair with scalp micropigmentation.

She said: “There seems to be a real need for this in the area and a need to make it known that there are more ways, and people, who can help with unusual situations than just doctors and cosmetic surgeons, who I work alongside on a referral basis.

“Skin, and the effects of tattooing on it, have always been huge interests of mine so I’ve been doing a lot of research and courses in the hope of bringing a more advanced element to my artistry.

“I wanted to branch more into the medical side of tattooing as seeing the difference you can make to someone’s life, even if it’s just to help them feel normal again, you can’t beat it.”

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Medical tattooing can also include permanent make-up when it is used to treat eyebrow or lash loss, or facial disfigurements caused by medication, illness or scarring.

The 34-year-old said: “I’ve given confidence back to so many men and women with thinning or full hair loss and some who have even begun to have patches of natural growth return because of how the follicles are stimulated when tattooed.”

The vegan-friendly line of ink is in line with Alice’s newly-launched tattoo aftercare range which she spent months creating.

On June 8, from 7pm to 9pm, there will be demonstrations of all An79’s new treatments.

For more information and to pre-book for the event, email an79beautifultattoos@gmail.com.

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