Twenty-five years ago or so, if someone had said to me, “One day you’ll be tattooing nipples on women who have battled breast cancer,” I would have said they were crazy. Yet here I am doing just that, spending the majority of my days implanting pigments into the skin to create the illusion of a 3-dimensional nipple and areola. What a thing it is… or… has become.
Serving in the U.S. Army in South Korea in 1984, a fellow soldier convinced me to give tattooing a try in an effort to supplement my meager income. At the time I think it was $500 per month. What a great plan… I had always been fascinated with the art form as a kid. I was a combat medic and had access to a medical facility and sterilized equipment, and I was familiar with universal precautions and prevention of cross-contamination. Most importantly, by the nature of the military, there was an endless supply of willing candidates eager to let me practice and learn the craft on their skin. The ensuing result was the birth of my tattooing career.
The following 17 years I spent traveling the world plying my craft and discovering everything I possibly could about this legendary, and at the time, little-known art form. Since then, the newfound main stream acceptability of tattooing has begun to open other doors for me and many other tattoo professionals.
In 2001 I was contacted by a local plastic surgeon who asked me if I would be interested in tattooing a few of his patients who’d had breast reconstruction. “Yes… nipples,” he declared. “What a novel idea,” I thought. Tattooing realistic images was my specialty, and this should be fairly easy. Little did I know that it would not be easy, and I wasn’t prepared for the powerful impression it was about to have on me — and more importantly, the overwhelmingly positive psychological impact it would have on the women I would tattoo. Using the fundamental skills learned from years of traditional tattooing, the metamorphosis into “medical cosmetic tattooing” or “3D nipple/areola tattooing” became obvious and seamless.
“3D nipple/areola tattooing,” as it’s been coined, has redefined a procedure that for so long has been somewhat overlooked in the reconstructive healing process of those affected by breast cancer. In the past, most often, the only option for so many was to have a patch of pigments implanted into the skin by hospital or office staff. While in some instances the results may have been good, many were not. Thus, the obvious transition of this practice was towards tattoo professionals — those who’ve spent their entire careers perfecting the craft: trained cosmetic tattooers (who apply permanent makeup) and traditional tattoo artists. Using the foundational skills of tattooing coupled with precisely mixed pigments, shadows, and highlights, a very realistic result can be achieved. This 3D approach to the procedure offers each client numerous possibilities in obtaining the best end result and appearance, even for those who’ve already had nipple tattooing done.
A little more than a year ago, my younger sister was diagnosed with stage IIA breast cancer. Her battle has reinvigorated my desire to help as many people as I can with what has become my newfound career path. While tattooing “MOM” hearts and dragons was fun and a great job, this new dynamic in my vocation has become my obsession. The future for me will be to connect with as many people as I can either through tattooing, consulting, or teaching what I’m learning so that those affected by breast cancer can be — as Lillie Shockney, R.N. and director of the Johns Hopkins Breast Center, put it — “whole again.”
I feel like I have the best possible job as a service provider for breast cancer warriors. I’m on the back side of the battle… the finishing touch… the last step. I truly get to put the “cherries on the cupcakes”!
I look forward to hearing your questions and thoughts.
Professionals like you are a MUST. I loved reading this article. I just got my tattoos 2 weeks ago and what you said is true… I feel “whole” again.
Your story has brought tears to my eyes. I am a 39 year old survivor and am awaiting my nipples and tattoos. Thank you for the wonderful work you do. We need help and I’m so glad there are many professionals out there to help with not only with their craft but with their harts. I never thought I would get a tattoo, just not my thing, but now…I can’t wait!
Your last sentence about “the finishing touch” is so true. I had a prolonged reconstruction due to some setbacks – during which time my sister lost her battle with BC. Despite being long married and age 50 when they were tattooed last spring, it was all worth it…and the finishing touch was the best part! Thank you first and foremost for your service to our country, and thank you now for your service to the cause. God Bless.
Vinnie, what a wonderful article! I’m excited to be one of your future clients in New Orleans. It really is a blessing to work with people as passionate as you are throughout my whole treatment. There aren’t a lot of cancer related appointments I look forward to (infusion! blood draw! aspiration! etc), but I am excited to get my tattoos. I’m really in awe of how you are using your gift to reach so many women all over the US.
Vinnie – I have seen your work in photos – shared by women I have either met personally and/or have helped on the breast reconstruction forum here on bc.org. What a blessing it must be for these women – to see you walk into the room with your artistry tools! Thank you for all you do for my sisters!!!
That’s very cool. I was wondering if you ever tattooed someone who did not have reconstruction. I had a double mastectomy and do not plan to get new breasts made, but my chest looks odd without nipples, and I could sort of see myself wanting nipple tattos even without boobs.
Thank you all for your kind words about my art/work. It is hard to differentiate between the two since I enjoy doing it so much. I really never thought I would be here but… here I am and loving it.
cider8… I will see you in NOLA! The Center is a great place to work and be a part of. I will do some great nipples on you…lol! I promise… see you in the Big Easy…
Momine… Yes I have done several tattoos on women without recon. I think several or at least one is pictured on my site…. It looks good even without recon. Still makes things look complete…. maybe I will see you someday for this? I hope so!
Vinnie, thanks for the response. That is good to know.
Vinnie you are amazing! I loved this story and it made me cry. I am 39 yrs old and a survivor. Reconstruction is a huge part of my recovery and it’s helping me to feel complete again. My first surgery was three weeks ago and the way you describe it is exactly how I see it. It is the finishing touch and it symbolizes the end for me. Can I fly you to Denver this summer? Thank you for the incredible work you do for the pink warriors. You are wonderful.
Vinnie, I contacted you several months ago because my tattoos didn’t match and looked like simple colored circles on my breasts…not very realistic. The fact that one was hot pink and the other mauve bothered me most. You told me that you weren’t sure you could help, and needed to evaluate in person. I met you at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in January, and you were cautiously optimistic as you proceeded to correct and enhance my tattooing. I was forced to be patient because they peeled three times over the course of more than a month, unlike my previous quick healing experiences. I don’t know why, but the result is awesome. My tattoos match now, and there is definition around the nipples so that they are very realistic now. I started my reconstruction in Los Angeles, and ended up with Dr. DellaCroce in New Orleans when things didn’t go well and I needed the best in the world to fix things up. He did all that and more, and now you have done the same for my tattoos. Thank you so much—I am very happy now and have finally reached the end of my reconstruction journey. It was a long road, but it feels amazing to be done! God is truly blessing women from all corners of the earth as they fnd the Center in NOLA, and I pray that all of you are equally blessed in return.
Vinnie — I will be meeting you in the future in NOLA for my tattoo(s). Unilateral reconstruction, so it may be a little more difficult, but from all that I have heard and seen of you and your work (and now this moving and heartfelt blog), I feel I am inthe best hands for that work as I was when Dr. D. did the reconstruction. Here’s to being whole in the future with your help!
Vinnie… I also look forward to being one of your future clients…. either in NOLA at the Center, or closer to home in Philadelphia… I have been following you for about a year now, and my opinions have not wavered at all. I knew from the minute I saw your work that you would be the one to do my tattoos. So glad you have connected with NOLA, so now the best have found the best!
And its great to read your story. I am sorry about your sister, but she is lucky to have you as a brother – and what a great gift you have given HER – your career to help BC survivors supports your sister’s recovery.
Betsy
Vinnie you are amazing. After meeting you and having my tatoo’s done by you I can not recommend you enough. I am glad to hear that you are using your skills to help make us feel complete again.
Vinnie, I know where to go next when mine need to be redone! It is so comforting to know! I look forward to meeting you!
This could not have been timed more perfectly! Thank you so much for sharing this Vinnie! Your passion and compassion is awesome! I will be having my surgery to remove bilateral tissue expanders and have them replaced with implants in 2 weeks. I will then be going through the tattooing stage and wasn’t sure what to expect. I hope that the person doing it will be as compassionate and dedicated as you. Positive prayers and positive healing energy I am sending to your sister!
Everyone… It is so nice to be able to help. I never thought … in a million years… that I would be doing this service and how much it has touched my soul! Tattooing is a very fun occupation but doing tattoos like these has allowed me to meet the most incredible women I could ever imagine. Not only are you all tough … you are supportive of each other and never hesitate to offer your words of advice, compassion and love of each other. It is awesome that such wonderful acts of solicitude can come from something as dreaded as cancer. I have to thank all of you for opening my eyes to a piece of humanity that few get to experience … I would not trade it for anything in the world!
I am glad that I have come across this line of work but I truly wish I didn’t have to do it!
But… I thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your lives….
I would like to say a big thank you to Vinnie for taking the time to further our progress in this field in the UK. Your advice and knowledge is priceless to us all in the shop and my visit to the USA was mind blowing, meeting you, your staff and your family…you are all wonderful people. It was really moving to see patient’s reactions when they looked in the mirror after you had finished your amazing skills. To see people cry and grin from ear to ear is what we are in this industry for. Keep on going hope you come to visit us at Adrenalin Tattoos, Luton, England real soon!
I am honored to know Vinnie….I consider him a friend, colleague and mentor…
Not only is he a great artist, he is a giving soul….what he gives to all of us is priceless….
Vinnie – thank you for what you do. I had my tattoos done by my plastic surgeon 3 years ago. Mine have faded some and I am due for a touch up and some more “detail” (I am praying to live long enough to need a lot of touch ups!!!). I am in upstate NY and will try to hook up with you in Saratoga Springs.
Ironically, I was down in Costa Rica getting a tattoo and was telling the artist, Matt Hayes (also from Colorado) about nipple tattooing – he had just done a large surf wave tattoo on a survivor who had no reconstruction – and I mentioned that I planned on looking you up and he told me he knows you! Small world! I now have a beautiful “Pura Vida” tattoo on my ribs curtesy of Matt which I will show you when I see you.
Again thank you – I look forward to meeting you.
Too bad we can’t see pictures of your work. So far what I’ve seen has not been very good. Raging colors instead of subtlety.
Vinnie did my tattoos just over two years ago. He is a wonderful man; caring, compassionate, and talented. We are all so fortunate that he is using his skills to make so many of us feel closer to “normal.” I will always be grateful that I live in Baltimore and was lucky enough to find Vinnie!
Hi Langdon1,
You can view Vinnie’s tattoos at VinnieMyers.com. I’m sure you’ll agree his are quite realistic-looking!
Thanks,
Caroline Durham
Breastcancer.org Content Manager
Thank you all for your thoughtful comments… a good critic is always helpful to an artist ! Keeps one on their proverbial toes…
Richard… I hope you will keep the spirit and the positive work alive in the UK… there are many that need what we do… I will keep in touch with you brother so that we can achieve a global network of artistic help!
Renee… Keep up the great work and networking… I know no other that spends the time and effort to help our BC Warriors than you… you are a blessing to all…!
everyminute… I wish I was in Costa to do your tattoo… I love it there… the piece of mind and tranquility is second to none… except maybe Hawaii… my heart is in Hawaii. I hope to see you soon… nip tat fix is in your future! Saratoga Springs or anywhere else is good for me….. until then…
langdon1… I can assure you I am working hard everyday to improve my skills… it is not easy but I will do EVERYTHING I can to continue to get better at what I do! Thanks for your input…!
southport…Thanks for your kind words… if you ever need a touch up… you know where to find me…
Caroline… realistic is the only way to do them… I just wish they had been done that way all along. I will continue to do what I can to continue the philosophy. Thanks…
To all that spent a few moments to comment on this blog… I greatly appreciate it! It is very rewarding to know that what I think is art is so rewarding to you. It has proven to be something I never realized would be so spiritually fulfilling to me… many thanks and props to you all for fighting the battle and making my job so … meaningful! …. V
Hi Vinnie, You were the rainbow after a dark storm. Thank you so much for giving part of “me” back!
Vinnie,
Do you ever do any work in the Midwest? If not, is there anyone you would recommend?
Vinnie, do you ever come out to the Boston area, or do you know of someone who does good work there? I’m having my exchange surgery soon and I am interested in the 3 D tattoos. Thank you for being so passionate about what you do!!
To all of you who are thinking of doing this – don’t hesitate. Vinnie is a great guy and does beautiful work. Every time I visit my oncologist, I have to do a ‘show and tell’ for any new staff. My plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark Venturi, was so impressed that he wants to invite Vinnie to come work at his practice in Northern Virginia. (Vinnie, maybe get in touch with him?) People find it hard to believe, when looking at the result, that there’s no projection – that is how real they look. And for those of us with modestly-sized recons, the beauty of not having a projecting nipple is – you don’t need to wear a bra if you’re not in the mood! I’m grateful to live close enough to the Baltimore area to have been able to take advantage of Vinnie’s amazing skills, and delighted to see he’s now extending his practice to benefit women in more distant locations. Vinnie, you’ve found a truly blessed calling – more power to you.
Vinnie, I live in so cal. Will you be out west at all or do you happen to know anyone in my area? Thanks so much!
Vinnie, I love the work you do.
I am hoping for one new nipple. Is there a tech in San Francisco or this coast who does the work that you do?
WOuld you want to come on out for a nipple festival out here?
Many thanks!
Vinnie,
I have stage III invasive lobular carcinoma and have had rt mastectomy. I didn’t think reconstructive surgery was in my future, but it just may be now that I’ve had time to think about it. My big question is this! Can you teach me to do this? I have had a life-long dream of becoming a tattoo artist (tragically squashed by my mother at age 16). I attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and majored in graphic design and since my dream was demolished went on to earn a degree in music and a masters in business administration. I plan to contact you if and when I decide to proceed with reconstruction but I am VERY passionate about helping other people and it looks like you have quite a few boobs to deal with!
Your work is miraculous and you are so blessed to be able to touch so many lives. Keep it up!
Amy
Here is a question I have not seen yet – if I have tattoos done & then need future surgery where my surgeon may cut into the tattoos, can the tattoos be repaired & made to look realistic again? I’ve had to have my implants replaced after capsular contraction due to radiation & I may have to have them replaced in the future due to continued scar tissue buildup. I would love to have the tattoos done so I can look “normal” again but I have put off getting them due to the concern about possible future surgery. What is your opinion on this subject Vinnie? Thank you & bless you for helping so many women feel normal again after such body altering surgery.
Ever since I had a routine mamo & something suspious or “maybe just scar tissue from so much breast reconstruction” showed up, I have been totally upset. I had a mastectomy on the left side 17 years ago. Now–with my mom having had lobular breast cancer which progressed to liver cancer & then death, I have been in a total panic mode as I wait for a mastectomy for lobular cancer. My adult kids did not want me to have reconstruction. Less than two years ago I had back surgery & almost died. Then I had rotator cuff surgery & had trouble. I was beside myself until I came across the article written about you. I look forward to having 3 D nipples ASAP–i don’t care where I need to go to see you!!!
I was fortunate enough to learn about Vinnies work through my reconstruction doctor. I recently had three dimensional tattoos done by Vinnie and I am so happy with the results. The tattoos are amazing and so realistic. Thanks to Vinnie for making my reconstruction journey complete. I would recommend him to anyone,
Hi Vinnie!
Your work is amazing, God called you to help us feel “whole” again! Any recommendations for a tattoo artists at my area? 79912. I dont think I could afford going to see you locally.
I had a bilateral mastectomy, still pending final recon..
Thanks!