What is a 3D areola tattoo + PS vs. artist?

My PS office admits that a tattoo artist who knows how to do nipple tats can do a better job than they can in the office, but for me it will be an out of pocket expense. They referred me to a specialist in our area if I wanted to check it out. Of course there is also the most famous tat artist, Vinnie Myers, but he charges A LOT compared to others. His clients seem really happy, though.

My PS also said that if you get the medical tattoo and are not satisfied, a tattoo artist can redo it. That's the route I'm taking for now. My PS actually did a nipple and areola recon. He grafted skin from my hips to make the areolas. Because it is a skin graft, the color is different, kind of a reddish brown. It looks like an areola without tattooing. If it doesn't lighten they said all I will need tatted will be the nipple, which was made from the breast skin and is currently white.

Keep in mind that Vinnie isn't the only game in town. There are a number of very good tattoo artist around the country that specialize in areola tattooing. I went to a micropigmentation specialist who works out of my PS office at Penn. She also works in NYC a few days a week. Because the work was done in the office some insurance will pay for it. I lost the papers and failed to file with my company, but it cost half as much as Vinnie so it wasn't such a big deal to just pay out of pocket. Three years later my tattoos still look great. My tattoo artist matched my skin tone and gave the tattoos plenty of texture and a 3-d appearance. They fooled my GYN at first and my MO always remarks how nice they look when she does her exam.

There have been posts listing the various option across the country. Maybe others will give their recommendations.

For the PA/NYC/NJ I recommend Mandy Sauler https://www.pennmedicine.org/providers/profile/mandy-sauler

I am also in Seattle. I just finished my mastectomy and was looking ahead to something that would make me feel good a year from now. My bestie came up and we met with Madama Lozonga just below Pike Place. Half her business is breast tattoos. She told me not to let the plastic surgeon do the nipples. I am going to get a tattoo to cover my left breast scars

Jenny I saw her advertisement. I am thinking of trying it, I have 2 failed tatoos complete fade at doctors office.

Hello LeftDCISWoman,

My PS does or has the tattooing done in his facility by a medical tattooist who comes up from Miami several times a year and she was trained by Vinnie Myers. During the third phase (I still have TEs right now) he will do any lipo and fat grafting with nipple reconstruction should I decide to and my insurance will cover all this. However, my insurance will not cover the tattooing which can just be coloring the areola or making a realistic 3-D tattoo that includes the appearance of the nipple. This is what I think I'm leaning toward and the cost is the same thru my plastic surgeon's office whether is just coloring or the 3-D. The cost of this out-of-pocket tattoo for me is $800 and I had a dbl mastectomy. Your insurance may cover it so I would definitely call a customer service representative for clarification. Good luck and best wishes.

I'm so sorry you had a less than perfect experience with your tattoos. It sounds questionable that Vinnie couldn't match your natural color. My cosmetic tattoo artist was able to use my skin tones (redhead/pale freckles) to get a natural look for me. I didn't have pictures, but they sure look like the originals. However, mine did fade a bit over a two week period. Originally, they were a little too dark for my taste. They have since faded to a perfect tint and have remained that shade for four years now. Maybe yours will fade?

i'm so sorry to hear about a bad experience. I'm very interested in this topic. Plastic surgeon versus tattoo artist for Areola

Thank you So sorry about the long delay in reply my words did not alert me. My plastic surgeon said he could do it but he didn't sound very convincing that he would do a good job. So for $700-800 but it's worth it to get a good job somewhere. I feel there's no rush and I will take my time deciding who to go to though. I live about an hour and a half from New York City and Connecticut

Kristina, I live in Los Angeles and do 3D nipple tattoo's (And I have them!) I can look for someone good in your area if you like??

Thank you Jackster, I live in SW Connecticut. About 1 1/2 hours to NYC.

Kristiina,

I'm planning to get an artistic tattoo on both breasts. I spoke with the tattoo artist about what I'd like and that I don't want it right on the scar; eventually I will need another surgery to swap out the implants. I think they recommend every 10 years to do that.

She looked at my scars and I gave her pics of ideas I have for the tattoo and she's in the process of sketching it out for me to see. I'm not rushing! I want to see it, tweet it and make sure it's where and what I want. I did contact my plastic surgeon who did my reconstruction after mastectomy to inquire about getting numbing cream or lidocaine. I think I'm most nervous about the pain.

Are you looking to get tattoos? What has your experience been? Type/stage at diagnosis, treatment, etc

I live in Connecticut. Where about a in Connecticut are you?

Dear mommyathome, I am not brave enough to do designs but quite curious about it. I live in Ridgefield. And you

Janetanned,

Mandy sounds amazing! I am on the last journey of my reconstruction and live 2 hours north of NYC. You said Mandy had offices in NYC? Any info would be appreciated! I am about 4 hours from Philly.