Most people have never heard of areola repigmentation/areola tattooing., also called medical micropigmentation. This is the process of tattooing pigment into the the breast to recreate the areola or nipple lost to breast cancer.
A skilled plastic surgeon can create a nipple through grafts and implants, but the color that makes the nipple and areola look real is added by tattooing pigment into the skin. This can be done in a doctor’s office, but more and more it is being done by skilled artists trained to do the procedure.
The client and artist work together to find a color that suits both the clients natural skin tones as well as the client’s desires. I’ve had many clients request smaller, lighter areolas then they had before the surgery. This is the time for the client to really decide what she wants for her body.
Once color is decided, the shape and location is next. If there is a nipple, this will be the guide, if not the artist will, with the client’s input, find the best placement for the areolas. For those clients who have not had a nipple created by a surgeon, a skilled artist can use shading and color washing to give a 3-dimensional looking nipple.
The process generally takes between 1.5-2 hours, with the tattoo time being about an hour. There are topical anesthetics that can be used to ease discomfort, although, many clients have less sensation in the area.
Aftercare is rather simple and only requires washing once a day, and using cocoa butter or lotion to prevent the work from drying out.
Having been a figurative painter for many years before starting tattooing, I have found that areola repigmentation is exciting and rewarding, I get to do the kind of painting that I love (only on a the body), and it is an honor to work with the amazing women to create the the final finishing touch.
