Nipple: micropigmentation vs tattoo

IzzyF

Hi all, looking forward to finishing up the reconstruction. I had my implant (hated it) removed and fat graft inserted, I'm not fully symmetrical but it looks OK. My nipple was reconstructed with the skin somehow and now I need to put on the color. I'm confused over the difference between micropigmentation, which where I live in Europe is done in a cosmetic or dermatology center, or a tattoo, done in a regular skull-and-bones tattoo parlor.

My plastic surgeons have recommended some people who do "micropigmentation". From what I understand this is a semi-permanent tattoo with medical-grade inks, the kind that people use for semi-permanent lip liner and eyeliner. Not sure if they do a 3D effect - since my nipple is getting flatter already I wouldn't mind having dimension in the colors. Micropigmentation is semi-permanent and very expensive. Each session would be more than 300 dollars, I would probably need 3 sessions to start with, and then you need to do it again 5 years later.

Not wanting to spend that kind of money, I happened to be walking by a tattoo parlor the other day and made my friend go in and ask. This particular place was run by 2 women and they do realistic tattoos from photos of people and animals and whatnot but have only done 1 nipple. They would see this as an act of volunteerism and would only charge 60 dollars to cover their costs.

Now, if you ask the micropigmentation technicians, they will tell you that their way is much safer. I don't feel that's true. However the one I talked to yesterday did say that tattoos fade and change color over time and do I really want a permanent tattoo that has turned orange, for example?

Vinnie was supposed to come to my city to give a workshop to tattoo artists a couple of years ago. According to the micropigmentation specialist, they had to cancel the trip because his inks are not approved in Europe. I know that would be because of beaurocracy more than any real safety issue, but I think she may have a point about the color changing over time.

I just wish I could ask a neutral source about the advantages of one technique over the other, and how much you can expect color to change. I'm guessing it may be hard to find out because since this is the last step on most of our journeys, I'm guessing there are not many women reading this who got their tattoos several years ago. But any insight would be appreciated!!!!

Izzy

OrcaPorkka

I have no knowledge but I am interested to hear what you find out

MicropigmentationStudio

I am a micropigmentation technician and I know my answer might have some bias but I can tell you the two differences between the two types of tattoo.  In general, both micropigmentation and tattooing can give you wonderful results.  I do not think one is better then the other.  In relation to inks and pigments, there are some differences.  The inks used by tattoo artists are usually meant for the body and art pieces.  They are also safe but what they fade into over time will differ.  An example is black ink.  A tattoo artist will use a black ink that over time will fade into a greenish blue.  A micropigmentation technicians ink is formulated (often for the face) so that they do not fade into unnatural colours.  The "black" I use for eyeliner is not really black. Its a very dark brown so when it fades, it fades into a brownish-grey.. not green.  All the colours we as micropigmentation technicians use are fairly dull and natural looking because they are not meant for art.  A tattoo artists ink is usually very bright.  If you have a good tattoo artist they will know how to mix the colours so they turn out very natural looking.  As opposed to ours which are already kind of done for us.  The other difference is the machines used.  Tattoo artists use coil machines.  Micropigmentation technicians usually use an digital machine where the end looks like a pen.  The machines we use are very precise and the needles are tiny because they are meant for your face which are small delicate areas.  From what I have learned, coil machines are just larger and shakier then the digital ones we use.  This makes a difference when doing eye brow hairs or eyeliner, but it should not make a difference when doing a larger piece like a nipple.
In regards to long term results, both pigments and tattoo inks will fade.   That is just the nature of ink in skin.  From the moment you get the ink in your skin, your body starts trying to take it apart. Fading starts from day 1.  I do not think the pigments micropigmentations technicians use last any less then tattoo ink.  I have seen eye liner done 20 years ago and it is still there and in tact.  How long ink lasts in the skin is a product of many factors such as pigment/ink quality, how deep the needle went into the skin, persons skin type, and how they care for that area. 

Also, as to your 3d question.  Both options can give you a 3D effect.  How good it will look is a matter of the person doing it.

The last thing to consider is how many of these procedures the person has done.  More often than not, a micropigmentation technician has done more nipple tattoos than an average tattoo artist only because it is a part of what we do in general.  We don't do art, we simulate make up, hair, and skin.  However, this also means that many Micropigmentation technicians are not artists.  You can train someone to make lines on a face but it is a lot harder to train someone to do proper drawing that needs to be shaded to look 3D.  Many tattoo artists are exactly that: artists.  So they will know about making things look 3D a lot more than your average micropigmentation technician.  You can see how I can argue both.

Overall, I can tell you that it is a personal choice of who you go to.  I am positive one method is not any better than the other.  The important part is finding the right person who knows what they are doing.  There are both great and not so great micropigmenation technicians and tattoo artists out there.  Your best bet is to find a person with a great portfolio and whatever ink or machine they use, if they are good you will be satisfied with your results.