How Can I Help the Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance?

Areola tattooing, also referred to as Medical Tattooing, is a highly specialised tattoo service. Small sterile needles and high-quality tattoo machines are used to gently implant ink into the top layers of the skin to create a beautiful, 3D realistic areola-nipple complex.

When tattooing over scar tissue, it is important to wait until the scar has fully ‘matured’. At the Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance, we recommend a minimum wait time of 12 months post mastectomy surgery and/or breast cancer treatment.

We firmly believe in using permanent tattoo ink for areola tattoos at the Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance. 

Permanent high-quality inks are specifically formulated for detailed tattooed work and go through rigorous health and safety checks as standard procedure. Using permanent tattoo ink is fast becoming a popular choice for many Medical Tattoo Artists, and for very good reason.

In the past Areola Tattooing was mainly performed by Cosmetic Tattoo Artists and Medical Professionals; referred to as ‘Medical Micro-pigmentation’ these types of tattoos were typically done using ‘cosmetic pigment’.

Cosmetic pigment is specially designed to gradually break down and fade in the skin over time, making it a perfect choice for using on the face to execute cosmetic makeup tattoos, such as brows, eyeliners and lips. Using cosmetic pigment on the face allows for changes and adjusts to the cosmetic make up tattoo as the skin ages over time.

However, using cosmetic pigment to produce ‘semi-permanent’ results is NOT safe or suitable for areola tattooing.

Semi-permanent results mean regular ‘top ups’ are required and over time this has a negative impact on the skin, not to mention emotionally on the client. Repeatedly disrupting the already delicate skin and scarred tissue (from surgery) can result in further damage being done to the skin, which can lead to additional scar tissue being created and will cause poor results of the healed tattoo.

Absolutely! Our MTA Artists have been hand-picked for their high level of artistic and tattooing ability, ensuring your areola tattoo is realistic and natural.

Appointment length can vary depending on the artist and what type of tattoo you are having done. Your artist will give you a better idea of how long your appointment will be when you have a consultation.

No, once you are fully healed from surgery it is perfectly safe to have a permanent tattoo over breast implants.

Tattoos are placed in the top layers of the skin (dermis layer), implants are beneath several more layers of dermis, fat and breast tissue. Tattoo needles do not go into these deeper layers of the skin during a tattoo, so they will not interfere with breast implants. It is important to visit a professional and experienced tattoo artist for an Areola Tattoo or a Traditional Tattoo design to ensure it is executed safely and to a high standard. Inexperienced artists could damage the skin and produce poor quality tattoos.

The answer is YES and NO.

Surgical incisions and skin/nipple grafts usually cause some damage to the nerve endings in that area, meaning sensation and pain is minimal (if at all) during a tattoo.

However, areola/nipples are a highly sensitive body part, so if you are having your natural areola tattooed then you should expect it to be uncomfortable. Pain is variable from person to person but overall it is completely bearable, most client’s actually find the whole process quite relaxing.

An 8-10 week follow up appointment is always recommended for 3D Reconstruction Nipple Tattoos. This is to allow the artist to see your healed results and make any necessary final ‘refinements’ to your areola tattoo.

Tattooing scarred or damaged skin is a delicate process and it is important the skin isn’t overworked, as this can cause further trauma. Performing two shorter tattoo sessions is a more manageable approach and allows the skin the time it needs to heal. During your follow up session, you can also make any adjustments to colour, shape and detail.

Tattoos ordinarily heal within 7-14 days, however the skin will continue to settle for a number of weeks. This is why your follow up appointment is 8-10 weeks after your initial tattoo, as it allows the scarred skin plenty of time to rejuvenate and heal completely.

The tattooed area will be dressed in a sterile, breathable dressing and you will be given thorough aftercare advice from your artist at the end of your appointment. 

You will be able to go about your normal daily routines after your tattoo, but you may want to treat yourself to a relaxing and restful evening after your appointment. Swimming, heavy exercise, sun exposure, hot tubs/saunas/hot baths etc must all be avoided until the tattoo is fully healed. The tattooed area may feel a little tender to touch for the first few days, this is normal. It is advisable to wear loose, comfortable clothing over the area during the healing process.

If you would like to book an MTA funded appointment with one of our MTA approved artists, you can contact an artist directly via our website. Just click on the Artist Directory or fill in our booking enquiry form. Our artists’ locations, portfolios and specialities are listed within their profiles so that you can select the most convenient place to be tattooed. Once you have selected your chosen artist, please send them an email directly via the contact information listed in their profile. You can include a summary of what tattoo you are looking for, i.e. a 3D areola tattoo, or a decorative mastectomy tattoo design. Our artists will then happily respond and take the next steps in booking your appointment.