Nipple Tattoo

Insurance plans usually cover nipple tattooing. However, it’s important to contact your insurance company to verify coverage for it.

After a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, most people lose sensitivity in their new breast. However, pain tolerance varies for each person and the type of surgery performed.

To ensure you have a comfortable experience, we use a special numbing cream on the tattoo area. You may have a sensation like that of a minor sunburn for a few days after your procedure.

We follow strict sterilization and sanitation standards for tattooing. The standards are in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. Each patient gets their own needles. They are never shared between patients.

Tattoos don’t generally have any adverse health effects, but there is a small risk of infection, allergic reaction and raised scarring. Tattoos do cause small trauma to the top layer of your skin. If you had radiation to your breast or you have diabetes or autoimmune disorders, your skin may take longer to heal than someone who has not had these treatments or conditions. If you take immunosuppressant medications, you may also have a longer healing time.

Your plastic surgery team will clear you for tattooing when it’s safe to do so. It’s important to let your reconstructed breast completely heal before getting a nipple tattoo. Wait times depend on your specific surgery and healing process.

For the first 10 to 14 days after the tattoo, it’s important to keep the site clean and apply a healing ointment twice a day. Avoid direct sunlight, swimming or soaking in water during this time. You should be able to return to work and daily activities right away, and moderate exercise is safe.

Over time, your tattoo will soften, and the color will lighten as new layers of skin grow over the tattoo. Avoid scratching or picking at the tattoo while it’s healing.

Most people only need one tattoo session. However, eight to 10 weeks after your initial tattooing session, you will meet with the artist again to see how your tattoo looks after healing. During this follow-up appointment, you can ask for any color or size adjustments, if needed.

Tattoos are permanent and will last a lifetime. However, as you age, you will notice the tattoo softening. Many people feel this lightening matches the natural aging process.

Keep in mind that exposure to direct sunlight and individual body chemistry can cause tattoos to fade faster than normal. If your tattoo fades, you can undergo a color touch-up if you would like a darker tattoo.