Restoration of the nipple and areola after mastectomy

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After mastectomy, many women choose breast reconstruction. Part of this process involves having the areola (the pigmented area surrounding the nipple) and the nipple re-created. For some, the prospect of more surgery to reconstruct the areola and nipple is daunting and so, medical tattooing is often opted for as an alternative method to create a remarkably realistic result.

How we approach the medical tattooing procedure

We start with a personal consultation, during which the specialist determines the best colour, position, form and size for the areola and nipple.

Factors influencing this decision are:

· Whether one or both of the breasts have been surgically reconstructed
· Whether the surgeon has surgically created a nipple that requires pigmenting to complete the appearance of the nipple and areola
· Whether the specialist has to custom blend the pigments to match an existing nipple and areola as in the case where only one breast has been reconstructed
· Whether a bilateral reconstruction has taken place - if this is the case the colour choice is unlimited - from an array of peach, rose, beige or brown hues custom blended to choice

The pigment infusion method

In order to reduce the pricking sensation during the medical tattooing procedure, we apply topical numbing agents. In many cases following the reconstructive surgery, however, full sensation may not have been restored and so the patient actually feels very little.

The areola and nipple are initially produced on the breast mound using a surgical marker and the medical tattooing procedure only commences when the patient indicates she is satisfied with the form and position we have created. Pigment infusion normally takes 60 minutes, does not necessitate hospital admission, a general anesthetic, or time off work.

After the procedure

After-procedure care is simple. Patients are asked to apply an antiseptic cream twice a day and keep the areola and nipple covered with sterile gauze for two days.

A follow up procedure - which is included in the initial cost - is usually required after four weeks, allowing us to make final adjustments to the colour and shape of the areola and nipple.

Camouflaging scarring post-breast surgery

Scars resulting from breast reduction or breast uplift surgery positioned around the circumference of the areola are often improvable through the application of custom-matched pigments, which we infuse throughout the areola tissue and into the scar tissue itself.

Aesthetic enhancement of the areola

For those women and men whose areolas are perceived to be either too small, asymmetrical in shape or overly pale, custom blended pigments can be used to create the illusion of areolas that have a balanced shape and deeper colour.

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