Tattoo artist Sasha Merritt can bring the artistry of scale, proportion, shading, and color theory to areola restoration work with the client to choose the best color, size and shape for realistic, 3D nipples and areolas.
Following breast reconstruction, many women choose to undergo areola repigmentation, a procedure in which the areola is tattooed onto the breast. This procedure can be performed either by a doctor or by a professional cosmetic tattoo artist.
Artist Sasha Merritt believes that areola repigmentation can be a powerful and triumphant reclaiming of wholeness for women who have survived breast cancer. Sasha has specialized, advanced training in areola repigmentation and is a Certified Permanent Cosmetic Professional. As an artist, with a skill in creating a 3-dimensional illusion, Sasha can create realistic, natural looking nipples.
With either a bi-lateral or uni-lateral reconstruction, Sasha will work closely with each client to find the best colors, shape and detail for each woman’s body and preference. The process takes includes a color and shape consult as well as a follow up appointment to ensure the best results.
“Now when I see myself, my first thought isn’t to feel sorry I had breast cancer, but ‘Gee! I have good looking breasts!’”
- Wendy, client and survivor
One of Dragonfly Ink’s clients, Wendy, slowly and methodically went through each step of breast reconstruction after her mastectomy. Wendy decided to get her areola recreated as the final step of that process. Although she was nervous going in, Wendy experienced a feeling of restoration to wholeness after repigmentation. Plus, she had the chance to choose the areolas she always wanted.
Sasha has worked with many survivors and she is pleased to honor their journeys and to create the most realistic, natural areolas possible.
Each year, Sasha honors National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October by offering a free Areola Repigmentation Clinic. The Clinic is intended for low-income breast cancer survivors without the means to pay for the areola repigmentation procedure, but all are welcome to take advantage of this service.
“My hope is that women who can’t afford the procedure will take advantage of Dragonfly’s Areola Repigmentation Clinic,” said Sasha.
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) of 1998 requires insurance to cover the cost of mastectomies, generally areola restoration is covered when done in doctor’s offices, but more clients are requesting their insurance cover the procedure done by a tattoo artist. Here is a link to the US Department of Labor’s details on insurance coverage for women post breast cancer. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/Publications/whcra.html
Call 415-550-1445 to learn more or to make an appointment.
