When people think of tattooing, they usually envision beautiful art or commemorative designs adorning the skin. But for a restorative tattooist, it's something different. Tattooing becomes a family affair, a deeply personal experience, especially for cancer patients. I am a unique kind of tattoo artist, working with cancer patients to restore color to their Nipple and Areola Complex (NAC) after breast reconstruction surgery. It's not just about restoring color, shape, and design; it's also about addressing the scarring. As a trained technician, I focus on the entire mastectomy canvas.

The emotional impact of these tattoos on patients is profound. This is the final step in a long journey, and when they get that tattoo, it signifies the finale. Even during the most difficult times, mastectomy patients have to wait to get the final tattoo. We embrace our patients and strive to do our best work.

During a mastectomy, doctors typically remove the patient's NAC. Though they can recreate the nipple, the areola – the colored tissue surrounding it – cannot be recreated by surgeons. This is where we, as technicians, step in. We complete the reconstruction process by coloring the area around the new nipple with a 2-D design, or creating a 3-D design when the nipple hasn't been reconstructed. Surgery techniques are evolving, and some physicians now create a vertical incision that forms a small bump where the nipple would be, eliminating the need for additional surgery. This new method helps make reconstructed breasts look as natural as possible. A natural-looking breast gives a woman the confidence and self-esteem to thrive after surviving breast cancer.

Restorative tattooing is a relatively new field for tattooists. Our industry has changed significantly, especially in recent years. Originally, physicians would color the area themselves, but the results often looked unnatural and faded quickly. Nowadays, traditional tattoo artists and permanent makeup technicians have embraced medical tattooing to help women find closure in their breast cancer journey. We incorporate traditional tattooing techniques like color theory and needle configuration to provide realistic areola tattoos. We blend traditional iron-oxide pigments with tattoo ink, ensuring pure colors are free of carcinogens, plastics, or additives. These tattoos are permanent and won’t disappear, though they soften over time to maintain the patient's natural beauty. We mix different inks and test them on the patient’s skin to achieve a perfect color match before applying it to their breasts.

Getting a restorative tattoo is a two-stage process. During the first session, we implant a foundation of color. Details and more color are added during the second session, about 45 days later, giving the patient’s skin time to heal. We use a topical numbing cream during each session to minimize discomfort. Initially, the tattooed skin appears redder than normal due to inflammation, but this fades within a few days. After about ten days, the skin peels slightly, revealing the final, natural color of the tattoo.

This work requires a solid foundation of knowledge for the technician. While this online course provides the fundamentals, it doesn’t replace the experience of a hands-on class with a qualified instructor.

Enjoy the new journey of restorative tattooing.

Jeanine