Many women begin their long journey through the dark tunnel of breast cancer hearing these words,"Your mammogram shows some irregularities.  We will need to do further tests.".

Often, women with cancer find that they need to endure mastectomies, radiation or chemotherapy to rid themselves of cancerous cells and move on to vital, healthy lives.

Many of these women choose to have breast re-construction after the initial surgery.  Their desire is to be able to wear normal clothing and to appear "curvy".  It's not that they are going to be seen by people other than their spouse and themselves, but feeling comfortable in their own skin is important.  Not being afraid of "being seen" in the locker room at the gym, is also important.

The final touch of breast re-construction is the areola repigmentation, performed by a tattoo or permanent makeup artist.  Often, the breast mound is blank with no color or nipple protrusion.

A talented permanent makup artist can create a real-looking areola with an illusion of a 3D nipple.

As a permanent makeup artist who performs this procedure, I have had the inexpressible joy of hearing things like, "Thank you for what you do.  It is very important!".  Or, "I feel like a woman again.  It's good to have "the girls" back!". Or, "Wow!  This is amazing!  They look real!".

Many insurance companies cover the costs of breast re-construction, including the nipple tattoo. 

For hundreds of women, this final touch is what marks the end of a difficult journey, and the beginning of the rest of their healthy lives.  What a blessing to me, personally to have a part in their recovery!