Poll on 3D Tattoos...who did you use and would you do it again?

aviva5675

Still giving this thought- for sure no nip reconstruction for me. Am also thinking about just a nice tattoo design across my chest instead of the 3d nips. Was disappointed to see no one in the Chicago area on Vinnie's list.  But my sis lives in SF east bay, so a trip out there would be nice!

Ally2345

Aviva- isn't that odd that there is not one in Chicago...you would think a city that size would have a couple. Best of luck in your search!

Ally

Anonymous

saw this:

http://blog.thebreastcancersite.com/nipple-tattoos...

Might be another alternative?

farmerlucy

2ta - Wonderful video. Thanks for sharing. 

ojoyjoy

2ta- great video! Thanks for sharing. 

renee-tattoos

aviva......www.PinkInkProject.com

aviva5675

thanks, where are they out of?

Anonymous

Aviva, there are various areas. Click the Links to see the locations

Speedy4

Does anyone have an idea of the cost? I was on the phone with someone today who quoted $2000.  I thought that was very high.  

exbrnxgrl

speedy,

That is not high at all. The person who will be doing mine charges 250.-300. Vinnie Myers, according to one of the vids, linked above, charges 400. for a uni, 600. For a bilateral. 

Speedy4

$2,000 sounds high compared to $250-$300, even $600 for Vinny. I'm going to continue to shop around. I think I could get my tattoo, spend a weekend in Maryland and it would still cost way less than $2,000. 

exbrnxgrl

speedy,

Sorry, I misread your post as 200. not 2000.! Yes, $2000. sounds very high. Time for you to look elsewhere.

3Dtatartist

Thought I would jump in on this topic and hopefully clear up a few misconceptions regarding Nipple/Areola Tattooing. There are many talented Permanent Makeup Techs who specialize in this work in every city. It's just the terminology that's a bit different as a lot of us refer to this work as Areola Re-Pigmentation. Most likely an effort to use a term that does not offend anyone and can be used in advertising! The term 3-D Nipple tattoo is merely another descriptive label that means a tattoo that is shaded in such a way that it appears 3 dimensional. The techniques utilized create a very natural looking Areola and nipple. As I said there are many  talented women in the PMU field who do this work every day, and are very committed to providing natural looking results. If you're looking for a reputable Artist/Tech in your area...google the term areola repigmentation or areola restoration or areola micropigmentation. I hope this helps!

farmerlucy

Thanks for the info . Are the same types of inks used for permanent makeup vs regular tattooing? I heard once that the permanent makeup will fade but the ink used from the tattoo shop won't, or won't fade as much.

Jaimieh

I used Vinnie in 2010 and paid $350 at his shop. I am sure he has gone up because of his demand. His work is amazing and worth it. 

Moderators

Thank you 3Dtatartist as knowing the correct keyword is important to being able to get a good result when searching for a special skill in their area. So "Permanent Makeup Artist" and "Areola Re-Pigmentation" are valid search terms, along with nipple to find tatooists with the skills and experience to do a "Vinnie". 

Let's hope that only those with real skills on cosmetic tattoos use these terms in their websites and not just any tattooist trying to jump on the band wagon. If only there was some sort of certification of tattooist skills to reference, as a tattoo is forever, good or bad. As the last thing would be to have a bad one done as it is, for some, the final point of their long and painful recon journey. Referral is still probably the best source. 

Unluckily, we do not allow advertising of such services on the BCO website, but the web search is a powerful tool for those wanting this type of service done. There is also the Pink Ink Project links listing. Just remember - check on before and after photos and investigate before going ahead, as it is a big decision.

The Mods

Blogger

After my bilateral, TE's, exchange, nipple reconstruction and waiting, waiting, waiting and researching, I knew I had one chance to get the nipples and areolas correct. My plastic surgeon was the best and gave me gorgeous new breasts but they needed the finishing touch. Boy, did I research!

I found a remarkable tattoo artist in Minnesota. Randy Culver has owned Ace Tattoo in Golden Valley, MN, for over 25 years. His talent and attention to detail is unmatched and I have the most beautiful nipples and areolas you can imagine. I have to do a double take when walking in front of a mirror because they look so remarkably perfect. After a long, two year battle with breast cancer, this final step is "just what the doctor ordered. 

The process was affordable, pain free, not time consuming and very private. Randy has very gentle hands, a huge heart and a lovely sense of humor. My results are spectacular. I think it is what we all deserve after our long battles. 

 Randy's contact information: Cell: 904-738-9555 

Blogger

That is absolutely correct. I had my nipples/areolas tattooed at my plastic surgeons ofiche by one of his nurses. They used a vegetable based ink. They never looked real and the color began wearing off almost immediately. I researched and found a remarkable artist in Golden Valley, Minnesota. 

Call Randy Culver at Ace Tattoo. He has owned the shop for 25 years and his talent and attention to detail is remarkable. I look and feel beautiful after a long battle.  Contact him with any questions you might have. 904-738-9555.

Blogger

Call Randy Culver at Ace Tattoo. 904-738-9555. Excellent artist. My nipples and areolas look stunning, natural and beautiful. His attention to detail is remarkable and the end results are perfect.

bookgeek79

I am getting a bilateral mastectomy next week. I am 35 and just diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. I am getting reconstruction and debating about what to do in the future about nipple reconstruction. I am leaning towards the 3D tattoo and wanted to see if anyone has used the Chicago area place on the Pink Ink Project site or know of places in the Chicago/NW Indiana or Denver, CO area that does it. As far as I can see my insurance doesn't cover it unless it's at the plastic surgeon's office and since I am on insurance from Indiana, I know the Chicago one won't be on there. I will need to save up to cover the cost and want to plan ahead.

KSteve

Bookgeek79 - I am from the Denver area and I'm actually flying to Baltimore in 10 days to have my 3D tattoos done by Vinnie Myers.  I have not found anyone in my area that can do them yet.  This is my 2nd try.  I recently had to undergo another reconstructions (3 years after the original) due to skin damage from radiation.  The first time around, I did the nipple reconstruction and tatts in the PS office.  The nipples mostly flattened out with time and the tatts really faded (and they weren't very good to begin with).  So I decided since I had to go through another round of surgeries, I decided to "treat" myself to what I think will be a much better outcome.  Good luck with your BMX next week!

Kathy

farmerlucy

I have been talking to Travis Koenig at Bound By Design in downtown Denver. He doesn't have a lot of experieince with 3D nipples, but his regular tattoos are stunning and he has experience with scar covering. It might be worth touching base with him. I had mine done by Vinnie, but he is out of reach by many women in my area so I was trying to find someone closer. Ironically Travis' mom is a BC survivor as is Vinnie's sister. The tentacles of this beast are long and many are impacted.

KSteve

Farmerlucy - Since I'm going very soon to Vinnie, I'm just curious.  Are you happy with yours?  I'm so ready to put this all behind me (again!) lol

farmerlucy

Yes I am very happy with them. In my mind I know it is just ink, but my heart says they are my nips.  I'm so glad that you get to close this chapter. Surprisingly it stung quite a bit when I got the tattoos. I didn't mind a bit. I was glad to have some feeling there! Good luck! 

doxie

bookgeek79,

You are too young to have to be dealing with BC.

I've been looking for a touch up on my nipple reconstruction by my PS. She did a good job matching my native nipple, but I want a more 3D look and know she cannot do this.

Some gals on the Illinois Ladies facing BC topic in the Help Me Get Through Treatment forum have suggested Jeff Paetzold of Insight Studio. He does 3D tattoos for Northwestern, but also regular tattoos at the business. mdg said he did a great job on hers. Check tab 1009 for her comments. I'm thinking of trying him through the shop, not Northwestern.

bookgeek79

Thanks for the tip. I'll check him out.I remembered something on the news before about 3D nipple tattoos but couldn't remember who it was.

Anonymous

West Coasters: Vinnie and his associate Renee Maschinot, are scheduling a trip out here to SoCal in the spring. Passing the word along, they'll be sending me info and flyer soon.

Juliecc

Yay!  If I need fat grafting sometime in the next couple of months, would I need to wait a certain number of months after that to get tattoos?

KSteve

One week from right now I'll be at Vinnie's!  Wow, it's finally almost here!  Words can't describe how excited I am to be done

I'll report back when I return.  Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Kathy

lovemytats

I had my 3D nipple/areola tattooing done by Kyla at Cosmetic Transformations in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.  I live in Ohio and it only took 5 1/2 hrs. to get there.  Her work is amazing and so realistic.  I never imagined that this final step in my reconstruction would have affected me the way that it did, but when I looked in the mirror I just cried.  I finally felt complete again, and this was all because of Kyla.  She is so compassionate, professional and most of all talented.  She is also a cancer survivor(ovarian), so I think this is where her passion for her profession comes from.  You can find her at cosmetictransformations.com.  When you go to her website, scroll down to the bottom and you will see the pictures of the nipple/areolas. I have absolutely no regrets!!!!!