Episode 18: Medical Tattoos for Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer patients seek information about medical tattoos for varied reasons. This can include decorative tattoos to cover scars after breast surgery or 3D nipple/areola tattoos to artistically recreate the nipple/areola area of the breast sometimes removed during surgery.

I am speaking to two medical tattoo artists on this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast, Nicole Rizzuto and Eric Eye. Connecting these cross-continental experts and discussing their work combines out collective interest in helping those affected by breast cancer understand what medical tattoos are.

Nicole and Eric explain the technical and emotional aspect of their work with patients in their tattoo studios. There can be fear associated with getting a tattoo because for many, it is their first tattoo. These two well trained, experienced medical tattooists work with a variety of “canvases.” They must consider radiated skin, skin that is healing, age, pigmentation, and other factors.

One of the best resources to view a medical tattoo artist’s work is their Instagram accounts. You can find Nicole’s account at nmr_medical_tattoo. Eric’s Instagram account is at eric_eye_restorative. They show work with a variety of clients and show fresh work, second sessions, and final work so you can see the progression of the process.