Nipple tattoos 'a necessity' for people post-surgery

Tattoos may be seen as a fun form of self-expression for some people, but for others they can be "more of a necessity that a decoration".

That is according to Tanya Buxton, who has been tattooing for 17 years and began offering 3D nipple tattoos to cancer survivors about six years ago.

In 2021, she set up the Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance (MTA) charity, which helps people who have had treatment and surgeries to reclaim their skin with tattoos for free, or at a discount, while artists still gets paid.

Buxton, who owns Paradise Tattoo Studio in Cheltenham, said the tattoos were "very rewarding because I get to be part of the good bit at the end for people, restoring that person's confidence".

The MTA provides financial support for mastectomy and/or areola tattoos through its directory of artists, with prices at Buxton's studio starting at £250 for one 3D nipple tattoo and £450 for two.

Buxton said she first became aware of mastectomy tattoos while giving cosmetic tattoos to cancer patients who had lost their eyebrows.

She began doing mastectomy tattoos for free on her days off but said she "underestimated the demand".

"I think being able to restore that part of you, and just feel more like yourself again and have that inner confidence, is a really important part of someone's journey to be able to keep moving forward," Buxton said.

As well as working with people who have had breast cancer, the charity also helps transgender people who have had gender-affirming surgery, and those with the BRCA (breast cancer) gene who have had preventative masectomies.

Buxton said the main question people ask her is if the tattoos hurt, as many of her clients have not been inked before.

"After mastectomy surgery and reconstructions, your nerve endings are compromised in some shape, way or form, so a lot of people do say they don't have that full sensation there," she said.

"They can feel little bits of the tattoo but not as if you were tattooing a piece of skin that hadn't been through surgery. A lot of people find it quite relaxing and comfortable."

While some people opt for a 3D nipple tattoo, others go for completely different designs on their chest, such as the pink breast cancer awareness ribbon or tattoos of a botanical theme.

"It feels like a celebration for a lot of people as a way of reclaiming themselves again and just being able to move on," Buxton said.

"A lot of people sort of say, when they look in the mirror, they don't want to be reminded again."

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