A Healing Process

Tattoo artist uses paramedical pigmentation to help people regain their natural appearance after medical condition or injury

By Laura Forrest Hopfauf

Paramedical tattoos also known as paramedical pigmentation or micropigmentation is a specialized field of tattooing that helps restore a person’s natural appearance after a medical condition, procedure, or even an accident. The tattoo artist needs not just a full knowledge of tattooing but also a deep understanding of medical conditions to help their clients gain confidence and healing on their medical journeys.

Natalie Dziadon of Pigments by Natalie has that deep knowledge and understanding and has been helping her clients heal through her work in paramedical pigmentation.

Dziadon started tattooing in 2017 by microblading to create the appearance of hair and eyebrows for permanent makeup. From there she’s been on a journey that’s lead her to become American Academy of Micropigmenation Gold Board Certified.

“I fell in love with my work and continued my permanent makeup trainings until I found paramedical tattoo. I never knew how much I could love my work and how rewarding giving the gift of enhancing what people already have could be,” Dziadon says.

Today Dziadon offers 3D areola tattoos to restore a natural look after a mastectomy; eyebrows that replicate hair with shading; 3D naval; scar concealment; stretch and burn mark camouflage; alopecia shading; scar and tattoo removal; and hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.

For Dziadon, the procedures she provides go well beyond the physical.

“It’s my goal to help people increase their confidence and possibly restore self-dignity,” Dziadon says.

Her clients agree.

Nearly two years after losing her eyebrows to cancer treatments, Teresa Rodriguez trusted Dziadon to give her a paramedical tattoo to create brows.

“I have so much more confidence. It is huge,” Rodriguez says of her paramedical pigmentation. “I wish I had known about Natalie and paramedical tattooing earlier. Now I show off my brows to everyone and recommend anyone who has thin or no brows to get them down and stop hiding behind bangs and worrying about them. I just feel so much better.”

The way her clients feel after their procedures makes Dziadon’s job so much more than just tattooing.

“The most rewarding part of paramedical pigmentation is to be part of someone’s healing journey. I have listened to so many women tell me how much their bodies have had to endure just to be where they are today and exist. It really has taught me how valuable time is, a reminder to make people and self-care a priority and not a convenience,” Dziadon adds.

While taking an oral chemotherapy pill, Patty Detman’s hair thinned considerably, including her eyebrows. When she saw what Dziadon could do through a consolation appointment that included options for shape and colors that would compliment her skin tone along with a discussion of the technique that would be used, she was thrilled. And her experience with paramedical tattooing kept her that way.

“Natalie is very conscientious about sterile technique which is important when doing any procedure that could potentially be a site for infection. Women who are compromised due to medications or treatments may worry about how safe the procedure is. Due to her pre-appointment directions and post-appointment follow-ups, she stays on top of her clients’ well-being. Having someone personally take the time to text or call to see how you are doing is invaluable. She took time with me during the entire procedure and I felt safe and cared for,” Detman says of her experience.

Unlike the permanent ink used in a traditional American tattoo, the ink used in a paramedical tattoo is usually oil based. This means that as a face or skin changes with age, the tattoo can be adjusted to match, allowing the paramedical pigmentation to age right along with their owners.

Some paramedical tattooing is even covered by insurance such as 3D areolas for breast cancer patients and scar camouflage necessitated by a medically required procedure.

“Cumberland Valley Breast Cancer Alliance now has a fund set up to help cover some costs for ladies who want restorative care that is not covered by insurance,” Dziadon adds.

Currently, Dziadon offers on-site consults, works events, and can be found at Illustrative Ink Tattoo Parlor in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. A mobile clinic is also being considered for paramedical tattooing by Cumberland Valley Breast Cancer Alliance. But Dziadon is also easy to reach through her business website, Pigments by Natalie.

At the end of the day, Dziadon’s work is making a big difference in the lives of her clients who have already overcome so much.

“I am blessed beyond measure to have had the courage to do something wonderful for myself,” Detman says.

Rodriguez adds, “Cancer is ugly, but Natalie made me feel pretty again.”