areola restoration

An areola restoration tattoo can 'create' an areola after breast reconstruction, minimize the appearance of scars, or restore an areola to a more natural looking color and shape.

Why get an Areola tattoo?

People consider having an areola tattoo for a variety of reasons, including to:

• help them to feel more confident after breast cancer treatment
• mark what they have been through and create something personal
• cover or disguise a scar

Before getting an areola tattoo your operation sites need to be completely healed. This may take up to a year but it can be longer. You should have also finished any chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment.
Check with your treatment team if you’re considering getting a tattoo.

Health history - please complete and submit prior to your appointment.

Consent for treatment - please complete and submit prior to your appointment..

Photography consent - please complete and submit prior to your appointment.

Payment and Appointment Time Understanding - this will be filled out at your appointment.

Aftercare instructions - you will be provided these at your appointment  

Payment receipt for your health insurance company for POSSIBLE reimbursement for Breast Cancer Reconstruction tattoos ONLY. Permanent makeup and areola cosmetic tattooing are not covered by insurance. 

The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 requires insurance to cover postmastectomy reconstruction, including areola/nipple tattooing. Insurance may reimburse some of the cost of procedures. We can provide you with a receipt to turn into your insurance provider for POSSIBLE reimbursement. You must turn the receipt in with a prescription from your physician’s office for the tattoo including medically appropriate diagnosis & CPT codes on the Rx itself. It is suggested that you check with your provider prior to your procedure to be sure this service is covered. 

Here is a link to the US Department of Labor’s details on insurance coverage for women post breast cancer.  http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/Publications/whcra.html

Pricing includes consultation & procedure: IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING: Payment due in full (by cash or card) on 1st appointment, nothing owed at 2nd visit. If you intend on using an FSA/HSA method of payment, bring a back up form of payment as well, in case I am not recognized as a health care service provider to that specific company.  I can give you reimbursement forms to turn in to them. The 2nd visit must be completed within 12 months of the 1st application of color to be included in price bundle. This is typically done within 10 weeks of 1st visit but I will accommodate schedules to fit your needs as best I can (especially for those who travel for appointments). If any additional visits are deemed necessary at completion of 2nd appointment, they will be done at either no fee or a reduced fee per tattoo artist’s discretion, and completed within the 1st year.  ***Moving forward with touch ups following the 1st 12 months… if additional color is desired after one years time, the charge rate is to pay 1/3 cost of the original price paid. 

• Nipple and Areola Reconstruction – In cases where a patient’s nipple-areola complex was entirely removed by either mastectomy or a surgical complication. The nipple-areola complex is COMPLETELY absent here. Can be 3D on flat skin, or over surgically performed nipple reconstruction (for nipple-sparing mastectomies, please see areola re-pigmentation pricing). ***Price includes two visits done 10 weeks apart (see paragraph under “Pricing & Scheduling” header for full details).
  
  • Unilateral reconstruction breast (one side tattooed only) $450
    
    • Note: If you start out doing just the reconstructed side and return later for the other breast- 2nd appointment costs start at $250 and up. If it is suggested during consultation, to do the native breast as well on the 1st visit to match- costs start at $700 and up. *Final cost is quoted per individual case, based on size of areola, scar/tissue damage present and time estimated to be required for the native areola work.

• Bilateral reconstruction $800

• Corrective - If you had previous undesirable tattooing elsewhere that needs fixed, or a “touch-up” on previous work done elsewhere. See above pricing with possible additional costs. Additional costs are due to: fixing of poor placement, cover-up of retained/faded cosmetic pigment, working on scar tissue caused by previous technician. Many times this is completed in two visits. However, additional sessions may be required. Prices quoted individually. .***Price includes two visits done 10 weeks apart.
  
  • Unilateral correction starting at $450
  • Bilateral correction starting at $800

• Areola Re-pigmentation – after a breast surgery: nipple-sparing mastectomy, breast reductions or mastopexy, to even out color and shape, restore a lost nipple to surgery complication or injury, vitiligo located on the nipple-areola complex (M.D. clearance note required), or to simply darken your natural areolas. Normally this is done to both breasts to ensure symmetry. (Artist will determine cases where only one areola needs to be tattooed.)  The price is quoted individually and based on size of areola, difficulty of work, amount of scar tissue/tissue damage present, expert techniques utilized (involving glandular and scar tissue), and time estimated to be required. Numbing creams are used for your comfort. Insurance does not cover this procedure for cosmetic purposes, it has to be deemed medically nessesary by them to cover. ***Price includes two visits done 10 weeks apart.
  
  • Unilateral areola starting at $450 
  • Bilateral areola starting at $800

• Breast decorative (hearts, flowers, pink ribbons) - these are never covered by insurance. Prices are quoted individually by the piece. Requires in person consultation first. ***Price includes two visits done 10 weeks apart.

Tattoo artists should always use sterile equipment and fresh needles.

Risks include:

• infection 
• changing your mind – it’s possible to get tattoos removed but it’s expensive and can be very painful
• the color (pigment) fading – this can sometimes happen over time. It’s best to avoid swimming or sunbathing for two weeks after having a tattoo to reduce the likelihood of this happening. You can use sunscreen on your tattoo to help reduce fading
  
  

The tattooed area may be swollen and possibly red but this should go away over time.
If any redness or swelling doesn’t go away and you develop a high temperature or feel feverish you may have an infection. If you think you have an infection contact your doctor as soon as possible as you may need a course of antibiotics.