For those who have survived breast cancer, the necessity for mastectomy or breast reconstruction surgery can occasionally be traumatizing, dysmorphic, or upsetting. An areola tattoo, which employs pigment to replicate the appearance of your nipple in a way that seems more true and natural, can be applied to people who want to regain their sense of normalcy.
What is an Areola Tattoo?
An areola tattoo is a cosmetic procedure in which the areola is inked forever on the breast or chest. The idea behind areola ink is that it gives the appearance of having more or altered nipples. Areola tattoos are created by applying ink under the skin to create a permanent image, just like other tattoo styles. However, areola tattoo are usually highly accurate in terms of blending and feathering to create a very realistic effect.
Why Would You Get an Areola Tattoos?
Having an areola tattoos, which simply creates a new nipple, is a really good way to help breast cancer sufferers feel good about their bodies following surgery. Many cancer survivors remain feel unhappy with their bodies even after undergoing breast reconstructive surgery, or a double mastectomy if both breasts are affected. Here’s where areola tattoos come in: they’re an excellent way for women to design the bodies they want to feel more comfortable and confident in their skin. This is also a great alternative if you’re searching for something a little speedier and less complicated than breast reconstruction surgery.
It’s important to realize that areola tattoos are not just for people who have had nipple damage and breast reconstruction surgery. If you underwent surgery on something other than your nipple, you can have scars or an areola that isn’t quite right. To improve the appearance of these flaws, getting a tattoo over them helps disperse the nipple’s form, size, and color evenly.
Although areola tattoos are a great method for survivors of the disease to encourage one another, getting inked for reasons other than breast cancer is also perfectly acceptable. Some like to use ink to experiment with the color and shape of their nipples, giving them complete control over how that area of their body is portrayed.
I work with clients who have burns, skin grafts, or other scarring that has affected their chest; clients who are unhappy with their natural nipples and may need reshaping or re-pigmentation,” Otsuji explains. I also help those who have undergone sophisticated reconstructive surgery and identify as transgender or non-binary.
How to Locate a Tattoo Artist for an Areola
You must locate an artist who not only has experience in cosmetic tattooing or tattooing in general but who is particularly proficient in this particular style of tattooing, as areola tattoos require a very special sort of ink and are applied to a very delicate location. Ask others you know who have had areola tattoos for recommendations if you’re not sure where to begin. If you don’t know someone with the ink, you can try contacting a local breast cancer club or organization to get recommendations.
Another great resource for finding an artist is Areola Restorative Tattoo (ART), a global network of trained and experienced tattoo artists that specialize in permanent areola and restorative tattooing. Dermatologists and medical offices will be happy to recommend artists, even if they don’t, so you know they’re of the highest standard.
After you’ve decided that a tattoo artist satisfies all your needs, make sure the aesthetic aligns with your tastes by browsing through their internet portfolio. Expert tattoo artists should have a portfolio with before and after photos of their areola tattoos; be sure to look it up online or ask the artist directly if it isn’t available for public viewing (which it probably isn’t, considering where the body part is placed).
However, the preparation doesn’t end when you hire an artist. Make sure you schedule a consultation so that you may discuss your desired appearance for the areolas, let the artist assess the scars and skin texture of your breast, and go over any other specifics that need to be worked out before the procedure starts.
Procedure for Getting a Tattoo
While eyebrows and nipples might not have much in common, areola tattoos are applied in a manner akin to eyebrow microblading. Since every areola tattoo is uniquely created for the wearer, an accomplished medical tattoo artist will first collaborate with them to create a design that meets their preferences, according to Otsuji.
We’ll talk about the client’s ideal nipple size, location, and skin-complementing pigment colors during this session,” explains Otsuji. To get the desired outcome, I’ll also want to evaluate the client’s skin type and any scar tissue or patterns that might call for additional technical expertise.
After choosing a design, the tattoo artist uses an oscillating needle covered in non-toxic color pigment to penetrate the skin beneath the outer layer of skin to apply ink. A talented medical tattoo artist can create the illusion that the image is a real nipple even if it isn’t. Since skin is often extremely thin, scarred, and delicate after surgery, Otsuji emphasizes the importance of finding an artist who understands the necessity for a gentle touch.
How long the entire tattooing process takes depends on a lot of things, including your tattoo artist, the needs of the new areola design, and the condition of the breast. Since scars and rough skin texture following a mastectomy are typical, the procedure would need to be planned with both your skin’s safety and safety in mind. Otsuji says that the process typically takes two to two and a half hours, but you’ll have to ask your tattoo artist for a precise time estimate. This suggests that each breast may require anywhere from thirty minutes to many hours to finish.
Process of Aftercare
After your areola tattoo is finished, your tattoo artist will apply a dressing of some kind, so you need to be careful with what you put on it. Avoid getting the covering wet as this may develop an infection or alter the pigment. Additionally, because fresh ink can bleed, you must cover it for at least a day.
To ensure that your areola tattoo heals as well it can keep the area dry and clean. You can bathe or take a shower 24 hours after the treatment, but you can’t use soap or submerge the region in water. Even if you shouldn’t wash the freshly applied ink, it is advisable to apply an antibiotic ointment or another material particularly prescribed by your tattoo artist to avoid the areola drying out and over-scabbing. You should also avoid contacting the pigment with your stomach while lying down to avoid inflaming the area or perhaps developing an infection.
Pain Level and Healing Time
It will take 10 to 14 days on average for your areola tattoo to heal. There isn’t a defined timeframe, though, because it ultimately depends on the state of your skin. In the weeks after getting inked, a healed piece of areola ink will go through three stages: healing, peeling, and lightening.
Your freshly applied tattoo will gently crust over to shield the surrounding tissue throughout the healing phase of the aftercare procedure. Peeling follows, and when it heals, those scabs will come out. Avoid picking the sores! You run the risk of damaging your new tattoo and losing pigment if you don’t let it fall off naturally. Ultimately, you’ll notice that the ink looks lighter and more natural until the tattoo area has completely cleared of any scabs.
If you are a breast cancer survivor considering an areola tattoo, you may not need to worry about agony. Mastectomies frequently result in breast numbness since the surgery intentionally damages nerves to lessen feeling. If you have an implant, you might feel it vibrate during the session. You might also feel tingly or uncomfortable.
Otsuji states, “After their mastectomy, the majority of my clients lose feeling in that location as a result of tissue removal and nerve injury. This is a really good method for getting a tattoo in an area that is typically quite sensitive!
Due to the area’s typical sensitivity, getting an attractive areola tattoo may result in significant pain.
How Much Time Is Allowed for Areola Tattoos?
Areola tattoos are permanent, however, they are a type of cosmetic tattooing, that is distinct from regular ink tattooing. Cosmetic tattooing aims to change the body in some way to complement your natural look and create an almost undetectable piece, as opposed to leaving a visually striking design on your skin.
Also, compared to traditional ink, cosmetic tattoos typically include less intense pigment, which your body will metabolize more quickly. In the end, this will result in fading, but it will take time—not instantly. Years after having tattooed, you should expect to witness considerable fading; however, this depends on your metabolism and skin type, so it’s impossible to say for sure how long the tattoo will seem brand new. Your areola tattoo may fade faster if you expose it to irritants such as chlorinated or salt water, strong cleansers, aloe vera, Retin-A, or glycolic acid.
impact of Areola Tattoos
After getting a tattoo, it’s typical to have some little swelling and redness as well as a sensation of your skin being pulled taut or “tight.” It is also normal for there to be scabbing and peeling, so if your healed ink appears uneven or feels firm to the touch, don’t panic.
As is always the case with tattoos, adverse effects are possible. The worst-case situation would be an infection of your areola tattoo, which could result in increased swelling, persistent redness, and pain. Further, keep a watch out for less frequent symptoms such as fever and muscular aches, as these can also indicate problems with the healing process.
Moreover, you can feel comfortable knowing that getting an areola tattoo as a breast cancer survivor does not raise your chance of the disease returning or happening at all. On the other hand, it is advised that you wait to get inked until after radiation treatment is finished if you are receiving it.