A new lease on life

Dr Shikha Baghi brings her expertise in permanent makeup to support acid attack survivors, using aesthetic science to restore confidence and dignity.

Acid attacks remain a grim reality in India, with hundreds of cases reported annually. Survivors face not only physical disfigurement but also the emotional toll of societal rejection, shunning, and the immense challenge of reclaiming their confidence and identity. The scars left behind often serve as a cruel reminder of their trauma, robbing them of their self-esteem and dignity.

As someone who has dedicated her life to aesthetics, I could not look away. I am Dr Shikha Baghi, Founder and Managing Director of Timeless Aesthetics, a professional dentist, permanent makeup artist, facial aesthetician, and expert cosmetologist.

My journey into the transformative use of permanent makeup for acid attack survivors started with a simple realisation: The techniques I mastered for enhancing beauty could be repurposed to heal, restore, and empower those whose lives have been scarred – literally and figuratively.

It was this passion that led to the founding of Timeless Promise, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting acid attack survivors. Through Timeless Promise, we work closely with a network of social workers, shelters, and organisations assisting domestic abuse victims, ensuring survivors like Punam not only receive physical restoration but also the emotional and societal support they need to rebuild their lives.

This is the story of one such survivor. To protect her identity, I will call her “Punam”.

A journey of healing begins

When Punam stepped into my clinic, her anxiety was palpable. Her story was one of resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty. An acid attack in her late teens had left her with severe third-degree burns on her face and neck, causing significant scarring and pigmentation irregularities. Over the years, she had undergone multiple surgeries to address functional concerns, but the scars remained, affecting her confidence and social interactions.

Punam was referred to me through Timeless Promise’s network of partners. During our initial consultation, she revealed her desire to look at herself in the mirror without reliving her trauma. She wanted to feel “normal” again, a word that carried so much weight for her. She had heard about permanent makeup and hoped it could offer a semblance of normalcy.

Designing a customised plan

Treating scarred skin requires meticulous planning and understanding of the unique challenges presented by damaged tissue. For Punam, I began with a thorough analysis of her scars, assessing their depth, texture, and pigmentation. Scar tissue behaves differently from healthy skin – it is often less elastic, uneven, and has varying levels of pigment retention.

We decided on a combination of techniques, including micropigmentation for her eyebrows and lips.

The process

The procedure was carefully structured into multiple sessions to ensure optimal results. Both for the lips and the eyebrows, the treatment required two sittings each – one for the initial application and the second for touch-ups to correct and enhance as needed.

• Initial preparation: Before beginning, I prepped her skin with hydrating treatments to improve texture and elasticity. Scarred skin is often dry and stiff, making pigment application challenging.

• Eyebrow micropigmentation: The first session focused on restoring her eyebrows. Using a digital micropigmentation device, I recreated natural-looking hair strokes. Given the uneven texture of her brow area, the process required precision and patience.

• Lip micropigmentation: The lips had lost their natural colour and definition due to scarring. I selected a pigment shade closest to her natural lip tone and carefully worked around the irregularities. The use of a gentle technique ensured minimal discomfort.

• Post-procedural care: Proper aftercare is crucial to ensure optimal results, especially when working with scar tissue. Punam was advised to avoid sun exposure, apply a prescribed healing ointment, and refrain from picking or scratching the treated areas. Regular hydration of the skin was also emphasised to maintain elasticity and prevent irritation.

• Touch-up sessions: The touch-up sessions played a pivotal role in refining the results. Scarred skin can have unpredictable pigment retention, so these follow-ups allowed us to correct inconsistencies, adjust colour tones, and ensure even coverage.

Overcoming challenges

Working with scarred tissue presented unique challenges. Scar tissue does not absorb pigment as evenly as healthy skin, often requiring multiple passes to achieve the desired effect. The risk of overworking the area was another concern, as it could exacerbate redness or irritation.

Adjustments were made throughout the process, including using specialised needles designed for sensitive skin and customblending pigments to account for her skin’s uneven undertones.

The transformation

The results were nothing short of remarkable. While her scars did not vanish, the visual improvement was significant. Her eyebrows framed her face naturally, her lips regained their soft hue, and the camouflaged areas blended seamlessly with her surrounding skin.

More importantly, the transformation was not just physical. Punam’s confidence blossomed. She described feeling “whole” for the first time in years and shared that she no longer avoided mirrors or cameras. Her newfound self-assurance allowed her to return to college and begin rebuilding her life.

Through the support of Timeless Promise and its partners, Punam also received counseling and vocational training opportunities to help her regain independence and reintegrate into society.

Lessons learned

This experience reinforced the importance of empathy and communication when working with survivors of trauma. The initial consultation was as much about listening to Punam’s story as it was about assessing her skin. Managing expectations was equally critical – while permanent makeup can create dramatic improvements, it is not a magic wand.

A message of hope

Acid attacks represent a deep societal issue that demands systemic change. While the larger battle is to reform society and eliminate the hatred that fuels such heinous acts, Timeless Promise focuses on what can be done today.

Through the collective efforts of our team and our network of social workers and organisations, we aim to empower survivors, offering them a chance to reclaim their identity and face the world with renewed confidence.

At Timeless Aesthetics and Timeless Promise, we remain committed to making a difference, one life at a time. This journey has been a humbling reminder of the profound impact our work can have, not just on the surface but deep within the human spirit.

Those struggling with similar stories know this: you are not alone; we are here to help.