Ms. Church has been performing Skin Needling for over 16 years. Her articles were published in 1991 in the ‘Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals’ (SPCP) Newsletters as well as in other publications on these remarkable findings. Ms. Church has also lectured to medical and beauty professionals on numerous occasions sharing photos of burn, scar, cancer, as well as ‘everyday’ clients that request her services.

Skin Needling and Facial Needling treat light scarring and fine to deep wrinkles.  Using a machine for the Skin Needling procedure, the needle cluster is gently inserted into the epidermis and top layer of the dermis.

Skin Needling promotes the natural reproduction of collagen and elastin, making the skin feel smoother and tighter. We treat only the area that needs attention. We do not work on any tissue outside the boundaries of the wrinkles or scar tissue, as this will make the wrinkle appear even deeper.

Skin Needling stimulates the body’s natural wound-healing reaction to produce natural collagen.

With microscopic punctures in the epidermis, Skin Needling is minimally invasive with little damage to the epidermis.

Clients who choose skin needling procedures have minimal ‘down time’ and swelling, and most people return to work the following day. Read more »

Skin Differences

“Black skin is 60 to 70 percent higher in lipid content than white skin and has larger sebaceous glands. A layer of cells in black skin, although thinner, has a higher concentration of cells than in white skin. Because the stratum corneum is therefore denser in black skin, and the oil glands are larger, black skin is much more prone to lesion formation through follicular impaction.” This quote appears in Christine Heathman’s article, ‘Acne and Skin of Color’ that was published in Dermascope magazine. Read more »

Areola Repigmentation is one of the easiest procedures to perform.  Many technicians say that it is much more simple than performing a full lip color application. Lip procedures can pose challenges such as blue undertones, uneven pigmentation (whether hypo or hyper pigmentation), client’s pain threshold, herpetic outbreaks, lip tissue that may be spongy and excessive bleeding are some of the complications of a full lip colour application.

We feel that areola repigmentation, whether it is just inserting pigment around the white rings around the areola to conceal a light scar to rebuilding a complete areola and nipple coloration, is less problematic than performing a full lip color application.

Breast cancer patients need to be in the right frame of mind when going through the areola repigmentation process. They will look better and feel better about themselves when they can look in a mirror with confidence and see a breast that looks somewhat normal. Read more »

This information is part 3 in this 3-part series. In this article, we will concentrate on Scar Relaxation, procedure after care for C.P.C., and the final results.

Scar Relaxation is the application of repetitive circular tattooing movements to create a softer skin texture and to soften the fibrous bands of collagen (scar tissue) to give the patient more flexibility in their movements. This procedure works well on all contracted tissue with exceptional results on hands.

Scar Relaxation was introduced by Susan Church at the first Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) conference in 1991 after she discovered it while working on several burn survivors in concert with Dr. Grossman.

Scar Relaxation appointments are usually scheduled at 4-week intervals. However, dramatic results can be seen and felt after the first treatment. Read more »

This information is part 2 in a 3-part series. This selection will consist of distinguishing skin undertones, patch and sensitivity tests, proper equipment, pigment, technique and time frame from application to application.

Pre CPC and Scar Relaxation

A 33-year old patient has contractures extending from the tip of the left ear, over the zygomatic, to the filtrum. Post-burn scar contractures of cheek and mouth area, including hyper-and hyper pigmented regions. This photos shows her before Corrective Pigment Camouflage (CPC) and Scar Relaxation treatments. Read more »

Part I of this 3-part series will deal with the consultation of a burn patient. Information will include: patient expectations, the ability to tolerate pain (pre-procedure sedation), consulting with the patient’s physician, pre-care and photos.

Our primary concern is to correct tissue color defects and create the illusion of smoother looking skin. Dr. Francis Cook MacGregor, a research scientist and member of the rehabilitation team at New York University Medical Center, states “In our culture the way one looks makes a difference in the response one gets. It is this fact that defines one’s identity because it defines the reaction of others.” The mouth is the second most noticed feature of the face, preceded only by the eyes. The disfigured face may be transformed by plastic /reconstructive surgery, corrective cosmetics or by Corrective Pigment Camouflage (CPC). Read more »

The following is an interview of Ms. Susan Church conducted by Michelle Lauren.

Michelle Lauren: What is your favorite procedure to perform?

Susan Church: Areola Restoration. The combination of anatomy and art in this procedure is intriguing. Blending these two components to “re-manufacture” nipple and areola configurations, while producing life-like results, is fascinating for me and emotionally satisfying for the patient.

ML: What is the best part of your job?

SC: My greatest satisfaction comes from my work with children who suffer from Alopecia,  Vitiligo, and Burn or Cancer scarring. I am pleased and willing to help the physical and emotional scaring that children have endured from their maladies. Read more »

The following information is beneficial to share with your clients. Passing it along to your patrons will not only show you are a knowledgeable and credible technician, but it will establish that you care for the well-being of your patients; thus setting the foundation for a comfortable, trusting relationship between you and your clientele. Read more »

Susan Church first introduced Scar Relaxation to the world of permanent at the inaugural SPCP (Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals) conference in 1991, after she discovered its benefits while working on several burn survivors in concert with Dr. Grossman. As you will see, this is a process that still presents huge developmental potential, even though our clinic has been utilizing these Scar Relaxation techniques for nearly 19 years.  Read more »