Interview with Rinat Tattarin: Part 6 of 7

[Journalist] What kinds of scars do you work with? Cesarean sections, surgeries, burns?

[Rinat] It depends on the individual. Scars vary greatly, and it's impossible to say right away what can be done. It all depends on the shape, location, size, and texture.

[Journalist] What is the main difficulty with scarred skin?

[Rinat] The skin on a scar is deformed: its shape, texture, and density have changed. The difficulty lies in evenly coloring this area, because a scar is a different type of tissue in terms of density, not the same as the surrounding skin.

[Journalist] Does pigment behave predictably on scars?

[Rinat] It depends on the type of scar.

On neat surgical scars (abdominal surgery, caesarean section), pigment behaves predictably, and there are usually no problems with them.

With burns, it's a different story. Due to the rough, uneven texture, it is not always possible to create smooth, flat, evenly colored areas.

[Journalist] So medical scars are easier to work with than burns and other types of scars?

[Rinat] Yes. I haven't had any difficulties with medical scars: they are easy to cover up and mask. However, textured, voluminous scars can be problematic, and everything needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes it is important to be open to the artist's suggestions because, for example, a portrait on an uneven scar is not the best idea due to the uneven surface.

[Journalist] How long should a scar “rest” before tattooing? How long does it take to heal?

[Rinat] Again, it depends on the scar.

A small surgical scar sometimes only needs a few months.
A burn scar can take a year or longer to “mature.”
You need to look at the extent of the damage and the stage of healing; this is always decided on an individual basis.

[Journalist] Are there any ways to smooth out the scar before the session, reduce its visibility, so that it is easier for the artist to mask it with a design?

[Rinat] Yes, there are.

There are special creams for treating scars (similar to Contractubex, but local equivalents).

There are surgical and cosmetic methods: grinding, polishing, laser procedures.

I haven't looked into it in depth and can't describe in detail how exactly the skin surface is smoothed, but I know for sure that this is done by specialized surgeons, dermatologists, and doctors who work with grinding and lasers. In general, no one has yet canceled out scar grinding “by any means.”

[Journalist] What do clients say about how it feels? Is it more painful to get a tattoo on a scar, or is there no significant difference?

[Rinat] In general, most people don't notice any significant difference.

Some say that the sensation is more dulled due to the formation of scars and, possibly, less sensitive nerve endings.

In the early stages of scar formation, on the contrary, it may be slightly more sensitive.

Therefore, you always have to look at each specific case. But on average, it should not be significantly more painful than on normal skin.

[Journalist] How do you build trust with such clients? After all, for them it's not just a picture, but a way to close a painful chapter in their lives.

[Rinat] Honestly, I don't specifically “build” trust. It's largely about a person's inner readiness. If they come to me with a request to “close” a scar, they are already taking a step towards me. But we don't usually have deep therapeutic conversations on this topic.

[Journalist] Can you recall any specific cases of working with scars?

[Rinat] I don't want to share any vivid stories, but there was one difficult case with a woman whose entire body was covered in burns. It's uncomfortable to share the details.

[Journalist] Have there been cases where a tattoo has really changed a person's life and their attitude toward their body? Especially in the context of self-harm. Is it possible to cover these marks so that the tattoo doesn't emphasize the scar, but actually hides it?

[Rinat] There are cases when a person has many cuts on their hands, traces of self-harm. If there are a lot of scars and they create a noticeable volume, it is difficult to completely hide the relief under the image: the volume will still be felt.

But if there are not too many scars and they do not protrude much, then a tattoo can easily divert attention. There is an interesting point: even if a person is prone to repeated self-harm, after getting a tattoo, many begin to feel sorry for the design itself and stop making new cuts on the tattoo. If they continue, they choose other areas, not the place with the tattoo.

[Journalist] Is it important not only to physically cover the scar with pigment, but also to skillfully build a composition around it?

[Rinat] Yes. Masking scars is not just a matter of “filling them with color.” It is important to:

- build the composition so that the gaze is drawn away from the problem area;
- use backgrounds, lines, and elements that distract attention from the scar itself;
- sometimes leave part of the scar without pigment and use the design to “switch” the gaze.

Covering is a complex task that requires a keen eye and an understanding of how the scar will look as part of the overall design, rather than on its own.