F.A Q's

I have had breast cancer, When

Can I have Restorative Areola tattooing?

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• Ideally, it is best to wait between 12/18 months after surgery until the skin's scar tissue has healed, sometimes longer as each individual is different.

• Scars will benefit from a course of micro needling which will encourage your natural skin pigment into the area, flatten fibrous scars, reduce tightness and prepares the scar for camouflage.

• 6 months after Chemotherapy / Radiotherapy.

• Your immune system may be put under a lot of strain in trying to heal a tattoo too early, especially after such strong medication

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• Nipple sparing grafts may have to wait up to two years for the scar to heal fully, depending on the individual. The tissue here is delicate so tattooing on this area too soon may cause trauma.

• The wait is normally 6 months after non nipple sparing mastectomy.

• For Bilateral mastectomy  we will create a template and colour swatches for the new areola and nipples

• For unilateral we will match the your existing shape and colour as much as possible.

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• You will come back 8 weeks after the area has healed to review the tattoo, we can add some more detail and perfect and patchiness and colour fading. 

• Caroline only uses REACH compliant and cruelty free pigments and inks and has a range of colours that will suit all skin colours.

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Q ) Does the tattooing hurt?

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A) If you have any senstation around the nipple area, you may want to apply emla numbing cream 20 minutes before.

The area will be tender to touch after the treatment, this is completely normal.

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Q) Why do i need to come back for a retouch?

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A) The retouch appointment will be 8 weeks after,

the skin will shed over 4/6 weeks and will take pigment along with it, it is better for the skin to take time with shorter treatments, this will be less traumatic for the skin. The retouch appointment we can add more detail and add or darken the colours if needed. You may need a colour boost two years, depending on your skin.

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Q) What is the aftercare?

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A)You will be given an aftercare home kit that contains an information leaflet, dressings and a natural healing balm. You will keep the area covered for 7 days.Everything will be verbally explained to you and you will have full support after the procedure.

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Q) Can I bathe and swim after the procedure?

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A) No long soaks in the bathe and swimming is allowed for two weeks as well as heat treatments. No exercise for 48 hours.

Long term use, please use a barrier cream on the area if you are a regular swimmer.

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