Nipple flattening after tattooing - anyone experienced?

Nolton9

Just wondering if anyone has noticed that areola/nipple tattooing (micropigmentation) has caused their reconstructed nipple to flatten? Considerably! and fairly immediately.

I had a nipple reconstruction (CV flap) in June and the new nipple, until I had my first tattoo (micropigmentation session) was doing very well - just some minimal shrinkage but a very good match following a uni mx and immediate diep.  However, within 48 hours of the tattoo the nipple has virtually disappeared - I would describe it's appearance as dehydrated!

Does anyone know if the healing process after a tattoo can cause this? or experienced it. (The hospital said it was probably just a coincidence but I feel it's very odd that the new nipple had stayed, so well, for four months and then suddenly a huge reduction in size )

Thinking back the lady who did it did ask me if I wanted the nipple included? I thought it a bit of a strange question at the time, but with hindsight I wonder whether this is a common "reaction" to the micropigmentation process.. I'm wondering whether when I have the 2nd session I should ask her not to include the nipple?? Or if there's anything I can do post 2nd session to limit any further flattening?

There is virtually no info out there on this part of reconstruction or the "little" issues that can happen along the way, so I am hoping someone out there can help me out. All I have found out from various hospital/clinic staff is that flattening, to some degree, is universal

Many thanks,