Scars for Stories | Restorative Tattooing Through Story
SCARS FOR STORIES
What This Is
Every month, we open our doors to one person ready to transform their relationship with their body through restorative tattooing.
This isn't a competition or transaction rather, it's a collaboration. You receive scar camouflage, stretch-mark camouflage or restorative tattooing. In exchange, you share your journey so others realise they're not alone.
Why we do this: The healthcare system fails people. Waiting lists stretch for years. Not everyone can afford private treatment. Scars alone, do not fade. Shame thrives in silence, and stories break that silence.
Every person who shares their truth creates a mirror for someone else who's been hiding. That's world-changing work.
Who This Is For
You might be right for Scars for Stories if:
You're carrying weight. Medical scars, surgical complications, self-harm scars, accident scars, trauma scars, transition scars. Scars that make you avoid mirrors, change how you dress, or stop you from being fully present in your body.
You're ready, or getting ready. You don't need to be "healed" to apply, but you should be able to articulate your story without it re-traumatising you.
You understand this takes time. Sessions are spaced 10-12 weeks apart. Some people need 2 sessions, others need 6+. You're committing to seeing your treatment plan through to completion.
You're willing to share. Not necessarily your face or name, but your story in whatever form feels safe.
You've been failed by the system. Long waitlists. Dismissive doctors. Financial barriers. Medical tourism gone wrong. If the system let you down, this is for you.
What You'll Receive
Treatment:
- Multiple sessions of scar or stretch-mark camouflage (texture smoothing, collagen stimulation) and/or restorative tattooing (scar camouflage, areola reconstruction, stretch mark treatment)
- Tailored to your needs, however many sessions your skin requires
- All materials, aftercare products, and follow-up included
Care:
- Pre-session consultation where we design this together
- Ongoing check-ins at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and beyond
- Access to me throughout your journey
Documentation:
- Professional photo/video within boundaries we establish
- Recorded conversation about your story
- You see final content before it goes public
What We Ask in Return
Your story.
What that looks like:
- Recorded conversation during sessions about your scar or treatment area's origin and why you're seeking treatment
- Photos of the process and progress
- Permission to share on our platforms: website, Instagram, potentially TikTok or YouTube
Before we begin, we'll discuss:
- What level of anonymity you need
- Which platforms you're comfortable with
- What parts of your story are off-limits
- How you want to be credited
Once we agree, that's the framework we follow. No surprises and No pressure to share more than initially agreed.
The Process
1. You Apply
Fill out the application form at the bottom of the page. It's thorough—we ask about your scar, your story, your readiness, and your comfort with documentation. Take your time.
2. We Review
Applications are reviewed monthly. We're looking for clarity of story, readiness, scar suitability, diversity of experiences, and genuine desire to help others.
3. We Reach Out
If selected, we'll contact you within 7 days to set up a consultation where we'll walk through the treatment plan, discuss documentation boundaries, and answer your questions.
4. The Sessions Begin
Sessions are 60-90 minutes depending on the area. It's vulnerable but surprisingly grounding. Many say it feels like therapy with a tangible outcome. We take breaks whenever you need them.
5. The In-Between
Every 8-12 weeks you return. Between sessions, your skin heals and we check in. You reflect on what's shifting—not just on your body, but in how you're moving through the world.
6. The Reveal and Beyond
After your final session, we'll check in at 6 months and 1 year. Not just for content, but because I genuinely want to know: where are you now? What's different?
Practical Details
How often does the program run?
Monthly. Roughly 12 participants per year.
How long is each journey?
It varies. Some treatments require 2 sessions over a few months, others need 6+ sessions over a year.
What if I'm not selected?
You may be considered for a future cycle. We'll let you know either way.
Can I apply if I live outside Melbourne?
Yes, but you'll need to travel to Sandringham for all sessions. We can space sessions to accommodate travel.
What if circumstances change?
Life happens. If you need to pause or withdraw, we'll discuss options. You're never obligated to continue.
What types of scars do you work with?
Surgical scars, self-harm scars, accident scars, burn scars, stretch marks, keloids, hyperpigmentation, areola damage, trauma scars. If unsure, apply anyway.
Do I need to have my scar "ready"?
Scars should be fully healed, ideally 6+ months old. Fresh wounds (under 3 months) are not suitable.
What if I'm not comfortable on camera?
We have options: audio only, photos without face, anonymised content, voice alteration.
What This Isn't
Not a shortcut. If you want treatment without sharing, book a regular consultation instead.
Not charity. You're not a "case." You're a collaborator in a mutual exchange of value.
Not therapy. I'm a tattoo artist, not a therapist. If you're in acute crisis, please seek professional mental health support first.
Not guaranteed to "fix" everything. The physical scars will improve, often dramatically. But healing is complex. This is one piece of a larger journey.
Not forever. Scars for Stories is evolving and may shift based on what we learn from participants.
Why I Created This
I've spent years doing restorative tattooing. Beautiful work. Transformative results. But I kept seeing a gap.
The people who needed this work most—the ones with the hardest stories and deepest scars—often couldn't access it. Eight-year waitlists. Dismissive doctors. Systems that made them feel like their pain didn't matter enough.
And the stories were being lost. Buried under shame. Hidden under clothing. Carried in silence.
Scars for Stories is my way of addressing the gap between who needs this treatment and who can access it. It's my way of building a library of courage for everyone still hiding.
When someone shares their story here, they're not just healing themselves. They're lighting a path for the next person who thinks they're alone in this.
See It in Action
Read Amanda's Story — Meet the first Scars for Stories participant and see what this journey actually looks like.
Ready to Apply?
If you've read this far and you're thinking "This is me. This is what I need," then apply.
If you're thinking "I'm not sure I'm ready," that's okay too. Sit with it. Come back when it feels right.
And if you're thinking "I wish this existed for my friend/sister/partner," send them this page. Sometimes we need someone else to see our worthiness before we can see it ourselves.
[Add application form link here]
Questions?
Email us at studio@resoluterepair.com.au or DM @resoluterepair.studio on Instagram.
We're here and we're listening.
Related:
- Read Amanda's Story — The first Scars for Stories journey
- About Inkless Scar Reduction — How the treatment works
- Book a Regular Consultation — Not ready to share your story? That's okay too.
Scars for Stories is a passion project of Resolute Repair Studio, Sandringham, Melbourne. It exists because healing should be accessible, and stories should be witnessed.
