Areola Restorative Tattoo
Karina now accepts some insurance for her services and offers financial assistance for areola tattooing for breast cancer survivors when insurance is not accepted. Additionally, she welcomes donations to support her in continuing to offer this valuable service.
What is an areola tattoo?
Non-surgical procedure augmenting breast reconstruction by creating the illusion of a natural, three-dimensional areola and nipple. For women who have undergone mastectomies or may have irregular or fading areolas, this complex intra-dermal pigmentation and 3-D nipple restoration, helps women to recover physically and emotionally from the scars of breast cancer.
Scars should be 3 months to 1 year healed depending on the location of the scars.
Before coming in:
If you need to reschedule, please let us know at least 72 hours before your appointment or you will need to pay a $200 fee in order to reschedule.
The appointment will take between 2-3 hours depending on what is needed. The tattoo will appear bright for the first 7-14 days and have mild flaking for a few days. You cannot sweat for 7 days after or be in direct sun for 4 weeks so make sure you don’t schedule your appointment before any special events or vacations.
Make sure to not have an MRI scheduled until after your tattoos are fully healed.
No caffeine, alcohol, vitamin E, fish oil, aspirin, or pain medications 24 hours before as these thin the blood.
Do not tan or spray tan two weeks prior or have sunburned skin.
Must be off prescription Accutane or other oral acne medications one year prior to treatment. Must be off chemotherapy one year. We require a doctors note of approval if you are taking the chemo pill.
It is recommended to shower before your appointment because you will not be able to wet the tattooed area for the first 24 hours.
Please NO CELLPHONES during tattooing and NO GUESTS in the room, NO CHILDREN. If you arrive over 15 minutes late to your appointment then we may not be able to accommodate you and you will lose your deposit. You will need to pay another deposit in order to reschedule.
- The effects of cosmetic tattooing can be permanent but it may need touching up every few years to keep the color looking fresh.
- Pain is very minimal but the area is NOT numbed for areola tattooing.
- Tattoo will be bolder for the first 7-10 days. Minimal flaking will occur for a few days. Once all flaking is done the tattoo will be lighter and softer underneath.
- Healing takes about 1-2 weeks. No sweating for a few days and no sun exposure for 4 weeks.
Who cannot receive cosmetic tattoos?
Those who are pregnant, nursing, HIV positive, have certain immunodeficiency disorders, have been on Accutane or chemotherapy in the past year, are hemophiliac, or have eczema/rosacea on tattoo area. Diabetes and Autoimmune diseases will require a doctors note of approval. You must be off any lash growth serums six months before your eyeliner procedure. If you get cold sores and desire a lip tattoo, you must get a prescription of Valtrex to take beforehand to eliminate the risk of an outbreak. No eyelash extensions can be worn during eyeliner tattoos.