Areola Pigmentation

Nipple tattooing is a way to recreate the appearance of your nipple and areola. The process is similar to getting a tattoo anywhere else on your body. In this case, the difference is that it involves the application of medical-grade pigments to the center of your reconstructed breast.

One of the biggest advantages of nipple tattooing is that it is very customizable. You can work with our team to choose details such as the color, size, and placement of your nipple tattoos.

There are a few different reasons to get a nipple tattoo. To begin with, it is a relatively simple treatment that has a high degree of satisfaction among patients. And unlike some secondary surgeries after breast reconstruction, it does not add any new scars to the breast. It can also be repeated as necessary to achieve the desired outcome and maintain the best possible results.

Nipple tattooing is almost always done after breast reconstruction. It is uncommon to perform it at the time of implant-based or autologous procedures. Instead, most surgeons recommend waiting at least four months after reconstruction is finished to see the results of that surgery.

For patients who have undergone nipple reconstruction, there is also a waiting period. It is generally recommended to complete areola pigmentation no sooner than three months after nipple reconstruction. That will allow the latest incisions to heal well before doing a tattoo.

You may be a candidate for nipple tattooing if you had breast reconstruction with a tissue flap or implant. It can also be done if you had subsequent breast shaping surgeries such as fat grafting.

However, areola pigmentation may not be right for everyone, including women who have damaged breast skin after radiation. It also may not work for those with overly thin breast skin due to mastectomy surgery. Our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons will gladly evaluate your candidacy and determine if nipple tattooing is an appropriate treatment for you.

After mastectomy and reconstruction, most women lose sensation in their breast area. That means that it is common to feel little to no pain when getting a nipple tattoo. After the treatment, pain should be minimal and can typically be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications.

It can take up to three weeks for a nipple tattoo to heal completely. At first, your tattoo will look red and irritated. The color may also look much darker than what you anticipated. These things are a normal part of the healing process. Please be patient as the color will gradually get lighter.

Nipple tattoo aftercare is relatively simple and straightforward. You will need to keep the area moist with a triple antibiotic ointment for at least five days. Expect some peeling to occur.

You may resume most regular activities, including eating, drinking, and exercising immediately following your procedure. However, please refrain from soaking in water for three weeks.

Nipple tattoos should last for many years without noticeable fading. But keep in mind that there are many different factors at play. These include the color of the tattoo and how well you care for it over time.

Because every situation is slightly different, It is difficult to predict exactly how long your areola pigmentation will last before the color degrades or gets blurry. Fortunately, you will have the opportunity to touch up your tattoo if you ever decide that you want to enhance its appearance.