Areola Tattooing After Breast Cancer: Complete Restoration Guide

Your journey back to feeling whole again starts here

What Is Areola Tattooing?

If you've been through breast cancer treatment, you know the journey doesn't end when the last treatment is finished. For many women, there's still one more step -getting back that sense of feeling complete in your own skin.

Areola tattooing is basically permanent makeup, but it's so much more specialized than regular cosmetic tattooing. Think of it as the finishing touch on your reconstruction - whether you've had implants, your own tissue used for rebuilding, or even if you chose not to have reconstruction surgery at all.

This isn't your typical tattoo shop work. It takes someone who really understands the delicateness of permanent makeup  and has the artistic skills to make everything look natural again.

Who Can Get Areola Tattooing?

Let’s get specific about where areola tattooing makes sense.

If you've had cancer treatment: Maybe you had one breast removed, or both. Maybe you had a lumpectomy that took more tissue than expected. Sometimes radiation changes the color of your skin, or chemo affects pigmentation. All of these are reasons women come to us.

If you've had reconstruction: Doesn't matter what type - implants, flap surgery using your own tissue from your belly or back, fat grafting. Sometimes the surgeon builds a new nipple, sometimes they don't. Either way, areola tattooing can work for you.

Gender affirming surgery: If you have gone through a transition and had a gender affirming surgery by either adding or removing breasts, you may be looking to have a realistic looking nipple tattooed on to finish your new look. **** is this really insensitive? 

Other reasons you might be here: Some women are born without a nipple or areola. Others have had surgeries that left scars. Sometimes one breast just looks really different from the other. Whatever brought you here, there's probably a way to help.

Here's something important: you don't need to have had nipple reconstruction to get this done. The tattoo artist can create the whole thing - the whole detailed areola area and even the look of a nipple - just using shading and color techniques.

When Should You Get It Done?

This is huge. Timing matters so much, and rushing it never ends well. Your body needs time to heal properly, and your skin needs to be stable before we can give you the best results.

After your surgery: You need to wait at least 6-8 months after your last reconstruction surgery. Everything has to be completely healed - no more soreness, no scabs, nothing that looks angry or red. Your plastic surgeon will tell you when you're ready.

After radiation: Radiation is tough on your skin, and it keeps affecting it for months after your last treatment. You'll need to wait at least 6 months, maybe longer if your skin is still sensitive or discolored. Your radiation oncologist knows your skin best.

After chemo: Chemo affects how you heal, so you need to be completely done with treatment and give your immune system time to bounce back. Usually that's 3-6 months, but your oncologist has to clear you first.

How do you know you're ready? When your breast shape isn't changing anymore. Everything feels normal when you touch it. Your medical team says you're good to go. And honestly, when you feel ready emotionally too.

What Happens During Your Consultation?

Look, we get it. You've been to enough medical appointments to last a lifetime. This one's different though. Yes, we need to talk about your medical stuff, but we're also going to talk about what you want, what you're hoping for, and what's realistic.

We'll talk about your history: When did you have surgery? What kind of treatment did you get? How did you heal? Any problems along the way? What medications are you on? Do you have any allergies? Have you ever had a tattoo before?

We'll look at what we're working with: This part can feel weird, but it's necessary. We need to see your skin, how it feels, what color it is, if there are scars. We'll take some photos (just for your file - nobody else sees them). We'll measure things to make sure everything will be even.

We'll talk about the fun stuff: What do you want this to look like? Do you have any pictures from before? What size feels right? What color should it be? We'll show you examples of what we've done for other women. We'll be really honest about what we can and can't do.

Then we'll get practical: When can we schedule it? How much will it cost? What about insurance? What do you need to do to get ready? What's recovery like? When do you come back for touch-ups?

Will Insurance Cover It?

Honestly? Not likely. Unfortunately in Saskatchewan areola tattooing is not deemed “medically necessary” and every insurance company seems to have different rules. However it doesn’t hurt to at least ask your insurance provider and potentially fight for it because this is part of your reconstruction, not some cosmetic luxury.

Even if you end up paying out of pocket, most women tell us it was worth every penny for how it made them feel and we have very reasonable pricing for our clients because we know how important this last step can be. 

Is It Safe for Cancer Survivors?

This is probably your biggest worry, and it should be. You've been through enough - the last thing you need is an infection or complication from something that's supposed to make you feel better.

Here's what makes it safe: We only use pigments that are approved by Health Canada. Everything is single-use and sterile - needles, tubes, everything, and we are inspected by the Saskatchewan Health Authority every year to uphold standards. 

Before we do anything: Your medical team has to clear you. We'll review every medication you're taking. We'll talk about how you heal from cuts and scrapes. If you have any allergies, we might do a tiny test patch first. We'll be totally honest about what to expect.

Special things for cancer survivors: Your immune system might still be recovering, so it’s best to wait 6+ months after treatments to ensure your body is in optimal shape.

Red flags to watch out for: Don't go anywhere that doesn't have proper licenses. Don't trust anyone who says you don't need medical clearance. Run away from anyone who promises unrealistic results or pressures you to book right away. And never, ever go somewhere that doesn't follow proper sterilization.

The Emotional Side of Things

Let's be real about this - areola tattooing isn't just about how you look. It's about how you feel when you look in the mirror. It's about not having to think about your chest every time you get dressed. It's about feeling like yourself again.

A lot of women come in and say they just want to "feel normal." Others want to surprise their partner, or just not have that constant reminder of what they've been through every time they see themselves naked.

It's totally normal to feel: Nervous about this last step. Excited that you're almost done with everything. Emotional during the appointment - lots of women cry, and that's okay. Be proud of how far you've come. 

You've got support: There are support groups specifically for women going through reconstruction. Online communities where you can ask questions and see other women's results. Professional counselors who specialize in cancer recovery. And don't forget about your family and friends who've been cheering you on this whole time.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're thinking about areola tattooing, you've already come so far. You've been through treatment, maybe surgery, definitely a lot of tough days. This is your chance to put the finishing touch on your recovery.

We know it might feel scary to take this last step. Maybe you're worried about the pain, or how it will look, or whether it's worth it. Those feelings are completely normal.

What should you do now? Come in and talk to us. Ask all your questions - the ones you think are stupid, the ones that keep you up at night, the ones you're embarrassed about. Meet our artist, see examples of her work and get a feel for whether this is right for you.

You don't have to decide anything right away. Take your time. Talk to your family. Sleep on it. But don't let fear make the decision for you.

You've been incredibly strong getting to this point. You deserve to feel whole again.

At Lashious Studio in Saskatoon, we've been honored to help women complete their reconstruction journey. We take the need for a realistic looking areola/nipple very seriously and know we can help you out if that’s part of your journey.

Ready to learn more? Give us a call and let's talk about how we can help you feel like yourself again.