Clinical Micropigmentation

In the months following reconstruction surgery, women can decide to restore the appearance of their missing nipples and areolas with a nipple reconstruction procedure or 3D tattoos. During a nipple reconstruction procedure, a surgeon uses skin from the breast mound to rebuild the nipple; whereas, a 3D tattoo adds colour to the nipple and areola areas. A woman can select one, both or neither of these optional procedures.

3-D tattoo or micropigmentation uses pigments to replicate the areola on a woman’s reconstructed breast. It uses colour palette of light and dark pigments to create a 3D illusion and make it appear that the woman has an areola and nipple after they have been removed during surgery. The pigments are colour-matched to each individual patient, and the goal is to restore the natural appearance of the breast.

No, most times 3-D tattooing is a comfortable, nearly pain-free procedure for women because most often the reconstructed breasts don’t have much sensation after a mastectomy. Aftercare involves some wound healing protocols. MediTatt provides aftercare instructions and products to care for the wound site. 

For most women, the procedure is completed in-clinic over the course of two visits, occasionally, in a third visit may be required. The initial visit takes approx. two hours. That’s when the woman works with the our provider to select pigments and determine the position and size of the areolas. Then the tattooing is performed. The second visit is scheduled approximately 12 weeks later for a 2nd procedure, evaluation and refinement of the site.

Some women have said that their breasts appear incomplete without nipples or areolas, similar to a face without a nose. Tattooed areolas and nipples help women focus less on what is missing and eliminate the constant visual reminder of their cancer journeys.

Many women also have reported that it improves intimacy with their partners because it helps partners feel more comfortable with their new breasts. Also, it distracts away from any scarring and leads the eye to a new focal point rather than just the scars across the breasts.

It’s important that a woman has completed all of her reconstruction surgeries and cancer treatments before getting a 3D tattoo. We usually wait about three months after completion of reconstruction to make sure that all incisions have healed properly, and allow time for the new breast tissue or implants to settle into their natural positions.

3D tattoos are not only for women with a recent cancer journey. The procedure also is available for women who have had mastectomy surgeries years ― or even decades ― ago when 3D tattooing wasn’t available.