Tattoo designs are a wonderful form of self-expression. Many individuals choose to get a mastectomy tattoo after mastectomy surgery or breast reconstruction as a way to decorate, disguise, or even celebrate their scars. This guide that has been written by Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance Founder and tattoo artist, Tanya Buxton will walk you through the process and answer some common questions about mastectomy tattoos.
At the Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance (MTA), we see firsthand the transformative impact that tattoos can have. From turning scars into beautiful works of art to recreating realistic 3D nipples after mastectomy surgery, tattoos can help a person heal both inside and out. They mark milestones, symbolise new beginnings, and allow individuals to reclaim their bodies, helping them move forward with boosted self-esteem and body confidence. Our charity has been created to help support the breast cancer, BRCA and transgender/non-binary communities in their healing journey after mastectomy, reconstruction and gender affirming care.
Our MTA artists are highly skilled and experienced in tattooing over scar tissue, especially after mastectomy surgery. They understand the sensitivity and care needed to approach these special tattoos, ensuring a safe and beautiful outcome.
How Long After Surgery Should I Wait to Get a Tattoo?
It is important to allow your body to fully heal after mastectomy surgery and breast cancer treatments before embarking on a tattoo design over the area. Surgical scarring must heal and be fully matured before tattooing can be safely and effectively performed. A minimum of 12 months is recommended, but it is important to speak with your artist and allow them to assess your skin so a safe time frame can be determined, in some cases, advice from your medical team may be needed.
Can I Get a Tattoo After Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy?
Again, it is important to allow your body and your skin time to fully recover from breast cancer treatments before having a mastectomy tattoo. We recommend a minimum wait time of 12 months after your final treatment of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy before tattooing can be safely and effectively performed. This ensures your skin and immune system have fully recovered and are back to their optimal health.
Will a Tattoo Affect My Breast Implant?
Once you have fully healed from your surgery (a minimum of 12 months is recommended) it is perfectly safe to tattoo over a breast implant. Tattoos are placed in the upper layers of the dermis, meaning your implant is perfectly safe and protected from the tattooing process.
Is It Safe to Tattoo Over Breast Reconstruction?
Yes, it is safe once you’ve fully healed. However, the skin can be more delicate after surgery, so it’s important to work with a tattoo artist who has experience with post-mastectomy skin. Our MTA artists are highly trained in this specialised area.
What If I Didn’t Have Breast Reconstruction? Can I Still Get a Tattoo?
Absolutely! Our MTA artists love creating mastectomy tattoo designs for all types of mastectomy surgery, reconstruction and no reconstruction.
It is important to allow the skin and scar tissue to fully heal and mature after your mastectomy surgery (a minimum of 12 months is recommended) before embarking on your new mastectomy tattoo or any Scar cover-up tattoos.
How Do I Choose a Mastectomy Tattoo Design?
The possibilities are endless! Whether you want something symbolic or purely decorative, our MTA artists can bring your ideas to life, creating a custom bespoke and unique design that will complement your body shape. Our website is full of useful information and images of our work to help inspire you, you can also visit our Instagram page for even more examples of everyone’s work.
We recommend gathering some ideas and images for your mastectomy tattoo, the internet is a great place to look for inspiration. This will allow your artist to understand and identify your vision.
Does a Mastectomy Tattoo Hurt?
Many factors can contribute to the pain intensity of a tattoo. Mastectomy tattoos can vary depending on your surgery type, scarring and breast cancer treatments. For most people, the mastectomy area can feel less sensitive due to the nerve endings being affected by mastectomy surgery. If you are worried about the potential pain of your tattoo, speak with your artist at your consultation, they can try to adapt their approach for your tattoo to ensure any pain is manageable.
Is It Safe to Get a Tattoo After a Mastectomy?
Yes, once you’re fully healed from surgery and treatments. All MTA artists follow strict hygiene protocols and use high-quality, sterile equipment to ensure the safest experience possible. Specialist tattoo devices and sterile needles are used to implant high quality tattoo pigments into the upper dermis layer of the skin to create your tattoo design.
What is the aftercare for a mastectomy tattoo?
Full aftercare advice will be provided to you by your artist after your tattoo is complete. It is important to keep your tattoo clean and dry during the tattoo healing phase, quick everyday showers are fine but you will need to avoid swimming, baths, saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms and excessive exercise whilst the tattoo is healing (approximately 7-14 days).
How Do I Prepare for My Mastectomy Tattoo Appointment?
- Get plenty of rest the night before.
- Eat a hearty meal at least two hours before your session.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment.
- Drink water and moisturise the area leading up to your appointment.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to the tattoo area.
How Can the Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance Help Me With My Mastectomy Tattoo?
All our MTA artists have been carefully chosen by the Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance for their exceptional skills and experience in areola and mastectomy tattooing. Along with their passion and dedication in helping the breast cancer and BRCA community.
Whether you choose to decorate your skin with a beautifully crafted tattoo design, or a realistic 3D Areola Tattoo, the empowering possibilities through tattooing are endless. The Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance charity has been created to make these tattoo services more accessible and affordable for everyone. We provide funding to our approved MTA Artists, enabling our artists to offer tattoo clinics free of charge for people after mastectomy surgery.
Once you’ve found an artist, you can reach out to them directly via our artist directory which can be found here: https://mastectomytattooingalliance.org/artists/ Your artist will guide you through the process and discuss your vision. Visit the MTA website to learn more about available artists and how to get in touch.