Definitely. Areola tattooing is as safe as any other tattooing process. Choosing an artist who uses safe sterilization and hygiene practices keeps the risk of infection extremely low. Reactions to ink are very rare but can occur.

I do my best to make the areola tattooing process as painless as possible. Depending on your particular surgery, there may be some small amount of sensation, but it usually is minimal or mildly uncomfortable. In most cases, our clients do not feel any pain.

Breast tattoos aren’t just for breast cancer survivors who are ready to show off their courage with masterful mastectomy scar camouflage. This service might be right for you if you are, have, or have had any of the following:

• Breast cancer survivor

• Post-mastectomy scars

• Areola restoration

• Breast augmentation

• Breast reconstruction

• Breast lift

• Male chest reconstruction

• Keyhole surgery

• Female to male surgery (FTM)

• Sex reassignment

Some people may have swelling or burning around the tattoo area when they have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), although this happens rarely and does not last long. Let your health care professional know that you have a 3D nipple tattoo before they order an MRI for you.

You should consider scheduling a consultation 6-8 months after your final surgery. Many surgeons suggest 3-6 months, but the scar is not fully bonded, or healed, that soon. The scars should have no red or pink in them and be white or almost white. If color remains, that means the scar is still healing. This timeline is different for everyone and may take even longer than 6-8 months.

Yes, although there are occasions when the pigment does not take well on the reconstructed nipple. The reconstructed nipple and the area around it can still be tattooed, but follow-up visits may be needed to ensure adequate pigment retention in that area.

The entire appointment for both bilateral and unilateral breast tattoos typically takes about 2 hours. This includes layout, and pigment color selection.

Healing times can vary. Typically, it takes 10-14 days. Skin flaking will occur, but this is normal. You will leave with a clear bandage over the tattoos. Aftercare instructions will be given orally and in writing.

Three visits are typically required to complete the breast, nipple, and areola tattooing process. The first visit is a consultation. Even if scars are not visible, the breast tissue has been compromised, and I consider the entire area to be scarred. The area has been surgically altered, stretched, and/or replaced with skin from another area of the body or another substance, etc. As an expert in mastectomy scar camouflage, I know that tattooing over scars is unpredictable.

In the second session, I lay the base color. I want to see how that color heals on your skin. If a 3D effect is required, we will create that effect in layers, as you return for each appointment.

While a tattoo is generally expected to last a lifetime, areola tattooing uses colors much lighter than standard tattooing. Some fading may occur over many years’ time, and at some point, you may elect to have your color refreshed.

YES! All my needles are single-use and sterile. I go above and beyond industry standards to ensure your safety and mine.

Insurance companies can choose who they will work with. Because I am not a health care provider, insurance companies consider me “Out-of-Network.” The best course of action is to call your insurance company and ask if this is a covered service by an out-of-network provider and what documentation they require for reimbursement. I will supply a receipt with the necessary codes that you can file with your insurance. I do ask that you contact your surgeon and bring documentation of the diagnosis insurance codes to the consultation appointment.

A consultation is needed so that I can gather health history information and you can read and sign necessary consent forms. I also examine that area(s) to be tattooed to determine what type of scar tissue is present, if the area is fully healed, and what, if any, limitations or special considerations I may need to adjust for in the course of your tattoos. We discuss your wishes for your new areolas and nipples and then I can make a plan to proceed.