
Editor’s Note: Vinnie Myers is a tattoo artist who specializes in 3-dimensional nipple tattoos for women who have had mastectomy and/or reconstruction — you may have seen some of his blogs right here. I recently spoke with Vinnie to get answers to some of the questions he’s most frequently asked in the comments.
— Caroline Durham, content manager of Breastcancer.org
When can I get nipple tattoos done?
Timing of nipple tattooing depends on what type of surgery you had and the location of the incisions/scars. If the mastectomy scar isn’t across the middle of the breast, across the area where the nipple would be, you should wait until at least 12 weeks post-surgery. If there is a mastectomy scar across where your nipple would be, or if you’ve had nipple reconstruction, you should wait until a minimum of 20 weeks (5 months) post-surgery. Consult with your tattoo artist to make sure your skin is healed enough to be tattooed — someone who has experience with nipple tattooing should be able to tell if the skin is ready (Vinnie has found that 5 months post-surgery is the soonest healed skin should be tattooed). If the skin isn’t ready, the tattoos take longer to heal and give poorer results. In general, the longer you wait, the better your results.
Is it possible to tattoo a reconstructed nipple?
It’s easier to do a tattoo without a reconstructed nipple. Tattoo artists pull the skin tight in order to deposit the pigment under the skin correctly; trying to tattoo a reconstructed nipple is like trying to pop a half-deflated balloon — the needle has a harder time penetrating the surface. On a reconstructed nipple, less pigment makes it into the skin, so the color won’t be as dark. (Plus, tattooing a reconstructed nipple isn’t really 3-D tattooing, it’s just regular tattooing!)
In cases of nipple reconstruction where cartilage is used either from yourself or a cadaver, the skin can sometimes be extra thin over the cartilage. It can be damaging to tattoo that skin, causing tears or causing the cartilage to break through.
If you have implant-only reconstruction, is there any risk for the tattoo needle accidentally puncturing the implant?
The risk of puncturing an implant is extremely low, but it is technically possible (Vinnie has only turned away a handful of women in his many years of nipple tattooing). If your surgeon was very aggressive and removed all fat under the skin, and the skin is extremely tight over the implant without muscle or much dermal matrix product over the implant, the skin can be very thin in parts. Also, if a saline implant has a port in front, the port can rub the skin from the inside and cause thinning. You may know by feel that the skin is thin, or your doctor may have told you (you can always ask). Tattooing goes about 2 millimeters into the skin, so if your doctor estimates that the skin is 4 millimeters thick or less, tattooing could damage the skin or implant.
Can you correct a tattoo done in the plastic surgeon’s office?
It’s easy to tattoo over an existing tattoo that’s too light — going darker is always easier than going lighter. If your existing tattoo is too dark, it is very occasionally possible to lighten it, but it depends on the skill of the tattoo artist and will take multiple sessions. A layer of light pigment will have to be deposited over the existing tattoo, and that will have to heal before re-tattooing the nipple.
What’s the difference between inks used in the doctor’s office and tattoo shops?
Doctors use a vegetable-based ink to do their tattoos. The pigment particles are smaller and not as concentrated, so the body doesn’t retain them as well. Tattoo ink pigments are heavy metal-based and the particles are larger and much more concentrated. Are you concerned about possibly needing an MRI in the future? It is a myth that an MRI will cause tattoo ink to be ripped out of your skin. Newer tattoos done in good tattoo shops will not cause any reaction (there have been anecdotal reports of some redness or burning, but it is extremely rare and possibly psychosomatic!).
Will getting a nipple tattoo hurt?
Getting a nipple tattoo done should hurt no more than a tattoo on regular skin, if that much. After mastectomy and/or reconstruction, there are likely only surface nerves left in the breast skin, so you will feel something. Women report feeling anything from pressure and vibrations to more sharp, acute (“typical” tattoo) pain. It’s all about expectations — if you don’t expect it to hurt, you might be unprepared for how much you feel. However, if you expect it will be very painful, you should be pleasantly surprised!
How much can I expect one or two nipple tattoos to cost?
Vinnie charges about $400 for one tattoo (unilateral) and $600 for two tattoos (bilateral), touch-ups included. Two tattoos shouldn’t cost more than $1,000, and touch-ups should be included. He’s heard of artists charging thousands of dollars for nipple tattoos but feels that’s outrageously high.
How do I find a tattoo artist to do my tattoos?
It’s possible that more tattoo artists than you’d expect have done nipple tattoos after mastectomy and/or reconstruction for family or friends. However, it’s also possible that some artists might not feel comfortable doing nipple tattoos, probably because of concerns about tattooing compromised skin. Finding a tattoo artist will take some homework and/or legwork: ask people you know for recommendations, or visit some tattoo shops. Look for a clean shop with a pleasant atmosphere and friendly, compassionate staff and artists. It might feel a little uncomfortable to walk into a tattoo shop and ask about nipple tattoos, but that’s really the only way to find out if the shop and artist are right for you.
Ask the artist:
- “What sterile practices do you follow? Do you spore-test the autoclaves?” Autoclaves are devices that use heat and steam pressure to sterilize equipment. Spore-testing means a strip of paper with a certain kind of bacteria on it is run through the autoclave and sent to a testing facility to make sure the autoclave has killed the bacteria. Any good-quality tattoo shop will be very mindful of sterile practices.
- “May I see your portfolio?” Ask to see the artist’s original artwork.
- “Do you have a private room for tattooing?” Many tattoo shops don’t; they do all of their tattooing in the main area of the shop.
Do I need a consultation with the tattoo artist ahead of time?
A visual consultation ahead of time can help the artist confirm that your skin has healed enough. Being able to tell if skin is ready is a skill learned by the tattoo artist over time; Vinnie recommends waiting at least 5 months if there is a scar where you’ll be tattooed. If your skin is ready, you can expect to get your tattoo then and there!
How long will it take to create the tattoo?
Timing will depend on how much experience the tattoo artist has with 3-D nipple tattoos and whether you’re getting one done or both. It can actually take longer to do one nipple tattoo, since that requires matching color, location, and appearance to the natural nipple. Two to 2.5 hours is about average for one tattoo, from walking in the door to walking out. With an experienced artist and nicely healed skin, the tattoo(s) might take as little as 1.5 hours. It might take longer than 2.5 hours for a tattoo artist with less experience in nipple tattooing — mixing the colors can take some time, as it’s important for the colors to look natural.
How long will the tattoo(s) take to heal?
Tattoos typically take about 5 days to heal. However, skin that is thinner or that has less blood supply can take longer — up to a few weeks. Following the artist’s instructions for care will help your tattoo heal faster and better.
How does the color of the tattoo change over time?
When they’re first done, tattoos will be darker (more intense) and redder since the skin has been damaged. As they heal, the tattoo(s) will lighten slightly. Well-done tattoos shouldn’t change color after 1 or 2 months. If you’ve seen standard tattoos that are a number of years old, you may have noticed that they look a little softer and more diffuse — however, this might make nipple tattoos look more natural!
If your tattoos took longer to heal, had problems healing, or the skin was damaged during the tattooing process, the final color may be affected.
Vinnie’s shop, Little Vinnie’s Tattoos, is in Finksburg, MD, not too far from Baltimore. He also tattoos in New Orleans one week per month at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery. You can call his shop for more information on appointments in Maryland at 410-876-4638 or the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery for appointments in New Orleans at 504-899-2800.
MedicalTattooist says:
I do not know of any health professionals using vegetable dyes for the purpose of micro-pigmentation, partly because they are more likely to initiate allergic reactions than the more inert colourants and also because they would be metabolised very quickly.
Pigments that contain ‘heavy metals’ may be harmful to health and should definitely be be avoided, most Cosmetic & Medical Tattooists source their pigments from manufacturers that have qualified pigment chemists compounding the colourants from ingredients that do not contain harmful levels of heavy metals and are free from aromatic amines and other potentially harmful substances.
Pigments should be sourced from manufacturers that supply full ingredients lists, MSDS, and evidence of allergy testing.
vinniemyers says:
Very good advice! Pigments containing heavy metals should ALWAYS be avoided. Tattoo pigment made in the 50’s and 60’s and even into the 70’s did, sometimes, contain heavy metals and caused a reaction in some people. Usually in red pigments made with Cinnabar and Cadmium or pigments containing Lead and Mercury. These reds can be highly toxic and cause reactions. I do not know a single tattoo artist these days that use this pigment.
Almost every pigment used today contains metal oxides… whether they are “Medical Grade” pigments or your traditional tattoo pigments, MSDS or not. The bases are the same…
Brown-flesh tones: Iron (ferric) oxides
Orange: disazodiarylide, disazopyrazolone, or cadmium seleno-sulfide
Yellow: cadmium yellow, ochres, chrome yellow, etc…
Red: Iron oxide
Green: Chromium oxide
Blue: azure blue, cobalt blue,
Purple/Violet: manganese violet or aluminum salts
White: Titanium Dioxide
ETC….
Pigments used by Cosmetic and Medical Tattooists (CMT) and traditional tattoo artists are the same thing but it is true most pigments used by CMT have MSDS sheets that show their ingredients. Traditional tattooists mostly do not. I do not think that there are many CMT or traditional tattooers or breast reconstruction clients that could read the MSDS sheets and know exactly what the ingredients were or what their effects on the human body might be. For the most part, tattoo pigments…”Medical Grade” or traditional, VERY RARELY cause a reaction. It is far more important to note that how the tattoo is done and the way the tattooer uses and applies “universal precautions” is FAR more important than what is in the pigments. Poorly done tattoos or the way it is cared for after the tattoo is done can cause many more problems to a reconstructed breast than the pigment can. Going to a professional, CMT or traditional tattooer, that knows how to properly apply a tattoo and even more importantly, when a tattoo should be done or if the clients is ready for tattooing are the points that should be considered first. DO NOT go to some fly-by-night CMT or tattooer that does not know these things.
In truth, it is hard to know how qualified the tattooer might be, that is why we posted this blog in the first place… to help inform you all how to find a PROFESSIONAL that can do your tattoos in a safe and positive manner. I cannot explain to you all the finite details of tattoo pigments or they way they need to be done safely… it would take far too long. I can however make myself available to all of you to help you educate yourselves on this final step in your journey. There is nothing worse than having gone through the whole reconstruction process… getting a great surgical result and having some “crappy,” for lack of a better word, tattoos done that you will live with forever.
Also note… going to a CMT or anyone else that simply posts a diploma on their wall does not make them a qualified tattooer. You need to look at their portfolio… check their photos for yourself. Look at the photos and try to imagine those tattoos being on your newly reconstructed breasts. If they do not look good do not get the tattoos from that person. One or two pictures of their work is not enough.. they should have many quality pictures of the work they have done and they should be more than willing to show them to you. If they do not… do not get the tattoos.
Again… this is not easy, it takes time… do your homework before getting tattooed. As a tattoo artist I am well aware of the permanency of bad tattoos… I have some on ME! Lol. My job on this forum is to help you so that you do not end up with bad tattoos on YOU!
Feel free to post your questions and I will try my best to answer them… thank you all and good luck…. Vinnie
theresa0809 says:
Went to Vinny’s Oct 2013, Loved what he did. I am very happy with my Tattoo on both breast. He is kind, caring and gentle. Very sterile environment too. My 3D nipples look so real, I could not believe how real they look. I didn’t think it would make a difference and almost did not want them. Now I am very glad I did! Thanks Vinnie…
Muse22 says:
Made my appointment with Paul at Vinny Myers tattoo place. Spoke with Paul last night. He seems so nice and really took his time explaining everything to me. My appointment isn’t until March 2015, but I am so excited. Vinny and Paul’s work looks amazing. I cant wait to be “human” again.
julieped says:
I went to see Vinnie last week. He is a kind and gentle person. But most importantly, I love my new tattoos. They are amazing. I am so happy I chose this option.
ICASEY says:
My appointment with Vinnie was last week and I must say, EVERYONE in the shop is extremely friendly, well-informed, and talented. Paul and Anna were so friendly. My bilateral tattoos with Vinnie took just over an hour, and I was so pleased with my experience, I stayed and received a free-handed drawn tattoo of my daughter’s name from Chico. I’m so happy with the end result and the nipples look amazingly real! I cannot rave enough about this business. They are remarkable people doing a wonderful service. #supercoolpeople