[lala...]

I had to have a referral to see the dermatologist, yes. I think the waiting times are much longer without one, and some places won't even see you if you don't have one.

As for tattoos, I'd say most tattoo artists would be hesitant to tattoo over scarring that is hypertrophic, though it would depend on the extent. This is because it might not turn out well or the way you wanted and it could thus be bad for their reputation.

Oh, and I don't know about the 'placing pressure' on scars to reduce them (I doubt just 'pressing' them would work at all) but massaging them can soften the area and encourage healthy skin growth and healing, so I've heard. That's one thing about bio-oil and such: it's not enough to just put it on, it needs to be massaged in to help at all, or so I've found.
:)