In The Netherlands A Free Tattoo For Survivors Of Breast Cancer
2023-01-16T03:59:56.324Z
On Jacqueline van Schaik’s flat chest, flowers and butterflies look away from the scars where her breasts once stood, a tattoo cherished like a “jewel” by this woman…
“It’s beautiful,” exclaims Ms. Van Schaik, 56, with tears in her eyes, when discovering herself in the mirror of a tattoo parlor in Lelystad, in the center of the Netherlands.
“I no longer see the scars, I see that, this jewel,” rejoices this mother of a 17-year-old young man.
Radiant today, she says she has come a long way, she who underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy after being diagnosed in October 2020 with cancer in both breasts.
Darryl Veer, her tattoo artist, is part of a network of artists willing to help post-mastectomy women love their bodies again after seeing it change so drastically.
Around 1 in 7 women in the Netherlands will develop breast cancer during her lifetime, according to figures from the health authorities.
In a third of them, a mastectomy is necessary, according to a website specializing in cancer.
This was also the case for Myriam Scheffer, 44 years old.
She, too, wants a tattoo on her chest, “probably a large bird spreading its wings,” but her scars haven’t healed enough.
In the meantime, she created a foundation last summer to offer free tattoos to women after a mastectomy.
Jacqueline van Schaik is the first to benefit from it.
The principle already exists, notably in the United States and France.
Todaycom: Meet The Tattoo Artist Making Breast Cancer Survivors Feel ‘whole Again’
Joan Lunden
Joan’s Blog / / October 16, 2015
This morning on the TODAY Show I shared my interview with Vinnie Myers, the guru of nipple tattoos. Vinnie has changed the lives of so many breast cancer survivors through his art, giving them back the confidence they may have lost after undergoing a mastectomy. This #PinkPowerTODAY piece is very special to me, so I hope you enjoy!
If you want to find our more about Vinnie and his tattoo pallor, or just hear more stories from women ‘getting a Vinnie’, visit ALIVEwithKJoan.com!
Joan Lunden truly exemplifies todays modern working woman. An award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, successful entrepreneur, one of Americas most recognized and trusted television personalities, this mom of seven continues to do it all. As host of Good Morning America for nearly two decades, Lunden brought insight to top issues for millions of Americans each day. The longest running host ever on early morning television, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered 4 presidents and 5 Olympics and kept Americans up to date on how to care for their homes, their families and themselves.
Nipple Tattoo After Mastectomy
Unlike traditional nipple tattooing performed by medical aestheticians in a plastic surgeons office to add color and create an areola around a reconstructed nipple, 3-D tattoos are often used instead of reconstruction.
These permanent nipple tattoos are designed and performed by tattoo artists in shops and in some specialized medical centers. Some aestheticians are now also offering 3-D nipple tattoos using a semi-permanent technique similar to that used for microblading eyebrows.
The practitioner uses an oscillating tattoo needle coated with pigment. The pigment is inserted into the skin to create the appearance of a nipple.
Heres what you can expect when you go for a nipple tattoo:
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Tattoo Artist Creates 3d Nipples For Breast Cancer Survivors
A Baltimore-area tattoo artist is making a name for himself inking 3D nipples onto the chests of breast cancer survivors.
For many women, Vinnie Myersâ tattoo shop in a nondescript strip mall in Finksburg, Md. is the very last stop of a âphysically and emotionally taxingâ journey.
âIâm the last person they see in that big battle,â Myers told the Daily News. âThey need nothing else. They beat it, theyâre done.â
As one of his customers put it, the nipple and areola tattoos are âthe icing on the cake.â
Lillie Shockney, a nurse at Baltimoreâs John Hopkins Breast Center, went to Myers after she saw his work on one of her patients.
When he was done, âhe turned my chair so I could see what I looked like in the mirror, and I burst into tears because they truly look real,â she told the Daily News.
Typically in the breast reconstruction process, a nurse or physicianâs assistant does the dermal abrasion that creates the appearance of nipples and areolas.
When Shockney had it done about ten years ago, she had three colors to choose from: light tan, dark brown or salmon.
âI donât think anyoneâs breasts should be referred to as fish, but that was the most common color,â she said.
Shockney chose salmon, and the result âlooked like two pancakes.â
While color options have since improved, itâs hard to match Myersâ decades of experience in color-matching and shading.
He does about 4 to 5 nipple and areola tattoos a day, 5 days a week.
What Is A Breast Cancer Tattoo
You might want a breast cancer survivor tattoo, or a tattoo to show support for a loved one with breast cancer. Whatever the case, breast cancer tattoos often incorporate the pink ribbon. They often also incorporate meaningful symbols. Some of the common symbols used in breast cancer tattoos are:
- Butterflies: Symbolize hope, as well our souls and rebirth.
- Birds: Different birds represent different things, but birds in general represent freedom, life, and peace.
- Flowers and Plants: Once again, different types of flowers can symbolize a wide range of meanings, but all flowers and plants can be used to represent growth and creation.
- Dragonflies: Symbolize transformation and light.
- Boxing Gloves: Represent the fight that those affected by cancer have faced.
- Crosses and Religious Symbols: Represent faith in God.
Symbols and imagery that have a more personal meaning are also very common in breast cancer tattoos.
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How To Find A Provider
Asking others who have had nipple tattoos for a recommendation is a good start. If you dont know anyone personally, you can reach out to members of a local breast cancer support group or your cancer center.
There are plenty of tattoo artists offering nipple tattoos, so doing an online search should give you a few options to choose from.
Youll also want to do some homework to make sure you find someone youre comfortable with and who has experience doing nipple tattoos.
Here are some things to consider before choosing a tattoo artist:
- Visit different tattoo shops, taking note of cleanliness, atmosphere, and professional and friendly staff.
- Make sure that the artist and establishment have the proper licensing.
- Ask if the artist practices nipple tattoos outside of the shop, as some artists also work with local breast surgery centers and cosmetic surgery clinics.
- If privacy is a concern, look for a shop that has a private room for tattooing or an artist that also works at a medical facility.
- Ask the artist about their sterilization practices.
- Ask to see a portfolio of the artists previous nipple tattoos, not just their artistic tattoos.
Why Do Survivors Get Tattoos
When someone has breast cancer, it is not only the patient who needs to cope with the changes. It also affects their partner and their children. Tattoos are a way of connecting all the people who have been through this experience. The tattoo can be a symbol of hope or strength that they will carry through life. It can represent how they feel then, like gratitude or acceptance. They can also be used as commemorative tattoos to honor those who have passed away from breast cancer, including their own mother or grandmother. Tattoos are one way for these patients to show what they went through and find meaning in it. Tattoos are a great way to mark what they have been through and create something personal.
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Are There Any Risks
Like any other tattoo, mastectomy tattoos come with minor risks of infection and allergic reactions to the pigments used, as board-certified plastic surgeon Frank Dellacroce previously told Allure. Be sure to keep an eye out for any redness, inflammation, and warmth in the area you got tattooed. ” haven’t seen it happen in the patients we treat, but would be treatable with antibiotics,” he added.
Also, not everyone is a candidate for mastectomy tattoos. After numerous surgeries, the area where the tattoos are typically done may not be thick enough to handle the procedure, Myers notes. “Clients that have had their skin stretch to the point where it’s only a millimeter or so thick would be extremely dangerous to tattoo,” he adds. Again, be sure to talk to your doctor to see if you’re a suitable candidate for mastectomy tattoos.
Can A Tattoo Be Removed
Its possible to have a tattoo removed using laser technology, but it can take several visits a few weeks apart and can be expensive. Theres also no guarantee that it will be completely removed. It can be painful and cause skin problems, such as becoming red and swollen. The pigment of the skin can also change.
Sometimes its possible to change the tattoo by covering the previous design with another tattoo.
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+ Breast Cancer Tattoos
1. Breast Cancer Ribbon With Thorns of a Rose
2. Dream a Little Dream Tattoo
3. Flower Masectomy Tattoo
5. Pink Butterflies and Ribbon
6. Breast Cancer Ribbon and Crab
7. Wrist Ribbon
8. Fight Like a Girl
9. Symbolic Rose
10. Tribal Breast Cancer Ribbon
11. Fuschia Flowers
12. Geometric Breast Cancer Ribbon
13. Mom in Pink Ribbons
15. Butterfly Breaking Off Into Ribbon
16. Breast Cancer Arrow and Flowers
17. Flower Nipple Covering
18. Breast Cancer-Inspired Balloons, Alebrije, Nature Cover, Sun Pinup, and Baphomet
19. American Traditional Bicycle Chain and Ribbon
20. Breast Cancer Ribbon on Wrist
21. Breast Cancer Ankle Tattoos
22. Flower Crown Mastectomy Tattoo
23. Bloom Anyway Tattoo
24. Butterfly With Ribbon Body
25. Lavender Cancer Ribbon
36. Purple Ribbon With Heart
37. Floral Mastectomy Design
38. Breast Cancer Ribbon and Sword
39. Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon With Tribal Designs
40. Cancer Ribbon and Peacock Design
41. Pink and Lavender Cancer Ribbons Together
42. Lavender Ribbon With ‘Ohana’
43. Symbolic Breast Cancer Turtle
44. Pinup Girl With Breast Cancer Ribbon Tattoo
45. Half-Heart, Half-Ribbon
46. Faith Hope Love – Survivor
47. Floral Mastectomy Tattoo With Pink Ribbon
48. Matching Pink Ribbon Heart Tattoos
49. Scissors and Breast Cancer Ribbon
50. Embroidered Breast Cancer Awareness Tattoo
51. Faith Over Fear Tattoo
52. Not Going Down Without a Fight
53. Believe Tattoo
55. Trumpet Flowers and Hummingbird Inspired by Breast Cancer and Heart Disease
Tattoos After Breast Cancer: Know The Facts
Breast cancer survivors often get tattoos to celebrate their recent victory over their disease. They may choose one or more artistic tattoos and, if theyve undergone a mastectomy, can elect to receive tattoos that have the realistic look of nipples.
Tattoos, however, can cause health complications for breast cancer survivors, many of whom are still recovering from the effects of treatment or the disease itself. Before you make that artistic statement on your body, take a closer look at the tattoo-related risks with this guide from Regional Cancer Care Associates.
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An Interview With Alexia Cassar The Tattoo Artist Who Redesigns Women’s Breasts After Cancer
How did you become interested in reconstruction tattooing?
Alexia Cassar:“I have spent a little over 15 years in the field of cancer research. When my daughter was 10 months old, she was diagnosed with leukemia, which was a devastating shock. In 2014-2015, I discovered the work of an American tattoo artist specializing in 3D nipple tattooing and it was total a revelation.
So how did you get trained?
It took me two years of training to develop this project and open my tattoo parlor dedicated to treating patients affected by cancer. There are no recognized certifications or official training programs in France or Europe. The only quality training courses are available in the United States but unfortunately, it is very difficult to get access to them. As such, it is important to be wary of the fact that this work could be performed by anyone, regardless of the qualifications and skills required.
“The most remarkable thing about this tattoo is its lifelike nature. We can reproduce the fullness, color, shape and fine details of the nipple and areola.”
What is reconstructive tattooing exactly?
It’s a technique that is used to complement what already exists. There is an alternative tattooing technique that doctors and some plastic surgeons use to reconstruct the nipple and areola after a mastectomy. They use a type of pigmented makeup. However, the pigment is not sufficiently permanent.
So does a reconstructive tattoo offer something permanent?
Areola And Nipple Tattoos By Stacie
Want more information about Stacie-Rae or her amazing work? Check her out at , or check out her Facebook page: @ARTareolatattoos
What do you think of nipple tattoos? Please share your opinion below.
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Meet Tattoo Artist Vinnie Myers Team: The Mission And Motivation
Shockney then made it a point to make sure other women could have the same option. With her influence, reach and recommendations among Johns Hopkins patients and survivors, word spread quickly about Myers. His schedule filled up with nipple tattoo appointments.
It got super busy, busier than I really wanted it to be, he recalled. Then, about five years ago, he felt he reached a tipping point.
Thats when I kind of decided I wasnt going to do it anymore. And the day that I decided to stop is the day my sister called me and told me she had breast cancer, he said.
That was on a Monday. I decided, This is a sign that Ive got to keep doing this.
Myers made a decision to devote his career entirely to nipple and areola tattooing.
And from that point, it just went completely ballistic.
Ucf Student Helps Breast Cancer Survivors Heal One Tattoo At A Time
Stacie Becker, a UCF art major and medical tattoo artist at Empower tattoo, has been changing the lives of breast cancer survivors, and is taking new steps to level up her practice.
UCF art major Stacie Becker, a medical tattoo artist who specializes in 3D areola nipple tattoos, is changing the lives of cancer survivors post surgery.
One of my favorite things is giving women some control back, Becker said. The best part about tattooing is that the choice is totally theirs. What I love to tell women is that we can make you look however they want its really gratifying.
Becker, 41, who is in her final year at UCF, has specialized in medical tattoos for four years but has been traditionally tattooing since 2007. She really wanted to focus on medical tattooing by taking more art classes, reaching out for the research aspect of it and seeing what her “arm span” could be if she reached for things.
About one in eight women will get breast cancer in their life, and if its invasive breast cancer, surgery may be required and the nipples may not make it through, according to the CDC. For Becker, she feels that her presence is needed because she gives back what survivors have lost.
One of those people who has benefited from Becker’s talent is breast cancer survivor Robin Layne.
Layne, 57, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2021 and got her tattoos done this past September.
One person who just wanted traditional tattoos instead of the 3D tattooing was Linda Browning.
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Lebanese Tattoo Artist Helps Breast Cancer Survivors To Heal
Lebanese tattoo artist Joa Antoun attends an interview with Reuters at her studio in Dekwaneh, Lebanon March 11, 2022. Picture taken March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Emilie Madi
BEIRUT, March 27 – For Lebanese breast cancer survivor Roula Saad, a decade-long struggle with the disease was not over until tattoo artist Joa Antoun concealed her surgical scars, helping her deal with the physical and psychological impact of a double mastectomy.
“I hated looking at myself in the mirror, I changed a lot. I felt I was forced to live in a state of grief, I was mourning my femininity and the loss of part of my body,” Saad said. “I was not reconciled with myself at all, nor with my own image.”
The mother of two now proudly wears her tattoo designs as a testament to her victory over the disease. She described it as a therapeutic and life-changing experience, adding: “It was like being born again.”
In addition to offering tattoos to conceal surgical scars, tattoo artist Antoun, 31, has also been offering free nipple tattoos, designed to look three-dimensional.
Often in their 50s, many of the women she works with were reluctant at first, she said, reflecting social taboos in Lebanon.
“They thought that it was not worth it, that it was too late for them. But getting these tattoos is becoming more normalised and accepted,” added Antoun, who also helped survivors of the 2020 Beirut port explosion cover their scars with tattoos.
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My tattoos are part of who I am as a woman, kind of like my scars have become. As an artist and as a woman living with metastatic breast cancer, I have a story to tell, and I just happen to wear my story on my skin. Ive spent my 21-year career in the field of tattooing, so not every tattoo has an intention behind it. They do, however, all speak to me. They serve as reminders of where I was at any given moment, physically or mentally, over the last 20 years, as well as how far Ive come in life. Some of my favorites are my childrens names, my grandparents portraits, and the Hindu god Ganeshathe remover of obstacleson my throat, which I got just after my terminal breast cancer diagnosis. Beth Fairchild
I was introduced to a group called Live a Great Story after my breast cancer diagnosis, and its message really resonated with me as I slowly worked toward acceptance: No matter what life throws at you, you can and should live a great story. It isnt over! One of my dreams was to take my family on a beautiful vacation. Last February, just before COVID, my husband and I took our three adult children and our husbands or significant others and grandkids on a dream trip to Hawaii. The palm tree and water represent that trip and the words speak for themselves: Whatever your story, make it a great one! Lynn Calhoun
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