Nipple Tattoos And The Fine Art Of Healing
Tattoos and piercings are generally done for decorative, pictorial, and symbolic reasons that often follow widespread trends. Celebration of the iconic female form is a long standing historical trend most commonly portrayed via classic pin up girl tattoos, matriarchal religious figures, and Goddess archetypes. Did you know that the Greek Goddess Artemis (Roman Goddess Diana), is representative not only of the moon, hunting and archery, but as a protector of young girls who is also able to relieve disease in women?
Women worldwide have been modifying their bodies for cultural and aesthetic reasons for centuries but the number of tattooed women has increased exponentially over the past ten years. We are so happy to see so many of you empowering yourselves through artistic self expression! Here, at Westminster Tattoo Company, over 70% of our clients are female. We encourage you to fearlessly celebrate your body and enhance your natural form, whether it’s with a unique piece of custom jewelry or a decorative dermagraphic.
Nipple Tattoos And The Fine Art Of Healing
One of the swiftly growing permanent “cosmetic” tattoo trends is the nipple tattoo. As made popular in the Burlesque circle, the nipple can be subtly transformed into into a sweetly simple heart or flower shape.
This process is done by color matching the original skin tone precisely with tattoo pigment. Without the addition of a traditional black outline, the overall appearance has a “softer” look. Unhappy with the shape or size of your areola? Now it’s possible to have them tattooed to be symmetrical should you find that more visually pleasing. High contrast black lines and intricate detail work can also completely change your look.
Nipple tattooing can be a very moving experience, especially for those women who’ve undergone trauma to the breasts, have had mastectomies performed, or who’ve undergone total breast reconstruction. According to breastcancer.org, an average of 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Post-breast cancer mastectomies can not only be traumatic for the body but also the mind, as many women are left without the traditional shape or color of the nipple. Even after they’ve healed from reconstruction, for some women, the emotional healing process still continues. The fine art of the realistic 3D nipple tattoo procedure can be a form of closure at the end of a long journey.
There are very few artists capable of executing this illusion so successfully, and one of them is Laura Rachel. She has spent years perfecting the healing art of nipple tattoos and can achieve a natural looking result. Whether you are bilateral or only need a single breast tattooed, she will create a close match to your existing nipple and areola’s size, shape, location, and color. Are you in the Baltimore, Maryland area and looking to get this service done? We’re here for you! Westminster Tattoo Company is very lucky to have Laura Rachel with us on our Guest Artist staff. She is available by appointment and will be traveling all the way from Atlanta to see you! For more information on how we can schedule your procedure in a safe, professional, pleasant environment, please or call us at 410-857-2342 or email us at info@westminstertattoocompany.com
We’ve gone ahead and answered some of the most popular questions and posted some of Laura’s work below.
How long after my surgery before I can get my nipples tattooed?
Laura recommends a standard 4-6 month waiting period post-reconstruction before tattooing nipples, though it may be longer depending on healing.
What if only one breast has been compromised?
Laura is able to color match based on your existing nipple and match it to the reconstruction.
How long does it take?
The procedure takes approximately 2 hours total.
Where will the procedure take place?
We have a private room within the shop for consultations and tattoo sessions.
Does being tattooed in that area hurt? Is there anything that can be done to prevent that?
If requested, Laura can provide a topical product to numb the area prior to and throughout the procedure.
Can I bring a friend with me?
While we appreciate the value of a friend’s support, our private room is truly only comfortable for you and Laura. However, your friend(s) are welcome to relax in our waiting area and there are multiple choices in our shopping center for a bite to eat or a beverage.
Will the tattoo work fade over time?
All tattoos experience some lightening during the healing process, usually between 20-35%. Once settled into the skin, the tattooed area will lose some of it’s original vibrancy, however, this will contribute to the realistic natural look. Direct sun exposure, even through a bathing suit top (especially those with white fabric), will lessen the life of any tattoo, so sunblock is always recommended. All tattoos fade with age.
How long will it take to heal?
Tattoos typically take 3-14 days for the primary healing period. During this time, the tattoo may flake, peel, and will gradually heal and take on a shiny appearance. This “shiny” healing period will continue for the next 4-6 weeks until the tattoo is fully healed. Complete care instructions will be provided at the time of service.
Can I choose my own coloration? What if I want a design instead of traditional nipple appearance?
You absolutely have choices! If you have had a double mastectomy and have an idea of what color choices you are leaning towards, feel free to bring printed photo examples with you for your appointment. If you would prefer an artistic design over traditional areola tattooing, the same is true, but a consultation may be required in advance to prepare for it.
