I've had the pleasure of tattooing over surgical scars but nothing is quite as gratifying as covering mastectomy scar tattoos. Many people get mastectomies because of cancer but others have elective mastectomies for preventative purposes, or to embody their identity better. Whatever the reason for the mastectomy, in many cases the remaining scar is not favorable to the patient. Tattoos are a way of reclaiming your body after the trauma of surgery; as a female tattoo artist, I empathize deeply with the struggle of body acceptance and modification in our respective journeys as human beings.
Even if the scar isn't too much of a bother for the person, sometimes a tattoo in the area can be really empowering. Below are some of my thoughts on the subject of tattoos after mastectomies as well as frequently asked questions.
How Long After a Mastectomy Can You Get a Tattoo?
The only people who can safely answer this question are your doctors and surgeons. These life transitions are permanent so it's important to take your time. No tattoo is worth compromising your health in any way.
What is the Best Way to Cover a Mastectomy Scar?
Every scar and every body shape is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. When proceeding with a coverup tattoo, you want to make sure that the artwork compliments your unique body shape and that the tattoo honors the scar tissue.
I have found that many mastectomy coverups only serve to highlight the scar by staying in the immediate area. Though this may be the goal in some cases, it's important to keep your mind open to larger sizing if it is not. As with any coverup tattoo strategy, the thinking should be just as much about distraction as actual coverage.
How Painful are Mastectomy Tattoos?
I'm not going to lie, any tattoo on the core of the body is pretty rough. Chest work in particular can be extra spicy. When the body has undergone a surgical procedure, sensation in the skin can be affected. Some areas might have less sensation or numbness, others might be extra sensitive. It's important to get to know the different areas of your chest that have been impacted by your surgery so you can cultivate the best pain management strategy with your tattoo artist. Learning about numbing products can be a very useful tool for this process as there are a few routes you can go.
Does Radiated Skin and Scar Tissue Take Tattoo Ink?
In my experiences most scar tissue and radiated skin takes ink just fine. After healing, there could be slight variations in ink retention but a good design can combat these factors. Additionally, there are products like Bio oil and Overnight Scar Creams that when used over time, can minimize the appearance of scar tissue. Keep in mind, a tattoo cannot smooth or flatten the texture of your skin.
What Mastectomy Tattoo Should I Get?
Only you will have the answer to this question. As an artist it is part of my job to ask questions and help hone in on images or symbols that have meaning to you. But it can be helpful to the process if you put some thought into this before embarking on a tattoo journey. Sometimes people want to have artwork that feels ultra-feminine or complimentary of their curves, others want to be reminded of their strength when they look at their tattoo. What are the qualities in yourself that you love the most? What reminds you of your support system or inner strength? What are your favorite things to do or your favorite places to go? All of these things can play a role in this decision.
As with any coverup, I usually recommend having 2-3 ideas that you would be open to so that the artist has some leeway to find the best fit for your body. It is more than ok to have a consultation with an artist to get some ideas and then take some time to think. There is no reason to rush into a tattoo just because it interests you. Learn about all your options!
Will I need a touch up?
As with any tattoo, you may need a touch up at some point down the line, but touch ups usually take very little time and depending on the artist would have a much lower cost.
