Restoration of the nipple and areola after mastectomy
Click here to see before and after photographs of our medical procedures
Many women opt for breast reconstruction after mastectomy and as part of this process choose to have the nipple and areola (the pigmented area surrounding the nipple) created to complete the breast reconstruction.
The thought of further surgery to reconstruct the nipple and areola, for some, is too much to contemplate and they opt for cosmetic tattooing as an alternative method of creating a realistic looking result.
How is the medical tattooing procedure performed?
The consultation
Prior to the reconstruction procedure the specialist will carry out a consultation to determine the most pleasing colour, position, form and size for the nipple and areola.
These factors are influenced by:
- Whether one or both of the breasts have been reconstructed
- Whether the surgeon has surgically created a nipple that requires pigmenting to complete the appearance of the nipple and areola complex
A choice of colours that achieve authentic results
If only one breast has been reconstructed, to create the most natural looking result, pigments are custom blended to match the existing nipple and areola.
For bilateral reconstruction pigments in an array of peach, rose, beige or brown hues can be chosen to duplicate the colours of an authentic nipple and areola.
The pigment infusion process
Topical anaesthetics are applied prior to the medical tattooing process to reduce the pricking sensation. However, in many cases full sensation may not have been restored following the reconstructive surgery and hence the patient feels very little.
The nipple and areola are created initially on the breast mound using a surgical marker and only when the patient indicates that she is content with the position and form does the medical tattooing procedure commence. The pigment infusion process normally takes 60 minutes and avoids the necessity of having to be admitted to hospital, administered a general anaesthetic, or needing to take time away from work.
Post procedure
Post procedure care is simple. Patients need to apply an antiseptic cream twice daily and keep the nipple and areola covered with sterile gauze for two days.
A follow up procedure is normally required after a four week period to allow final adjustments to be made to the shape and colour of the nipple and areola and this is included in the initial cost.
Scar camouflage after breast surgery
To improve the appearance of post-surgical scarring around the circumference of the areola due to breast reduction or breast uplift surgery, custom matched pigments are infused through the areola outward into the scar tissue to camouflage the scar.
Aesthetic appearance
For men and women who have areolas that are too small, asymmetrical and too pale or without definition cosmetic tattooing can achieve a balanced shape, even colouring and clarity.
Click here for further before and after photographs of our medical procedures
