Mastectomy Tattoos

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.

This client decided she was more interested in "adorning" than "covering" her surgery scars. She opted for a cross-body design that complimented her figure.

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!

This project involved obfuscating a mastectomy scar as well as covering up / fixing up an old pre-surgery tattoo.

The intention pre-surgery was to try and retain the older tattoo, but post-surgery, the piece was not complimenting her body in a way that brought joy anymore. Our plan was to mostly address the older tattoo and create shapes that complimented her body.

In the end, we chose a feminine, bold design. Confidence restored!

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.

What is the coverup tattoo experience like?

What would you like it to be like? How has the treatment of your body been like thus far? What were the different stages of your medical treatment like? How have you and others treated your body?

In my practice, I see my role as tattoo artist as being extremely sacred. My job is to execute the best tattoo I possibly can in every case. But how I do this is equally important. The health and comfort of my clients are always first and foremost. Feeling uncomfortable, pressured or abused during a tattoo experience is never ok. It is vital that you feel cared for by your artist, especially during a tattoo that is meant to address scars or inner pain. Take the time to meet your artist and see their space. Get a feel for their policies and ethical considerations. Ask questions. Do you feel trust and comfort with them? Are they able to accommodate your needs for this process? Do you think they have a good understanding of your goals?

What are your goals with your mastectomy coverup?

The most important thing to remember about getting any tattoo (and especially a tattoo after a battle with cancer), is to honor your body. Ask yourself some of these questions:

• Do I want to restore something I feel I've lost? Can I put a name to what that is?

• Am I hoping to build something new in how I perceive myself? Have my recent experiences led to changes in how I perceive myself and the world? Can that be reflected in tattoo adornment?

• What would make me feel like the courageous warrior I am? What would make me feel beautiful and strong?

• How do I want the aesthetics of my body to make me feel? When I look in the mirror, what are the emotions that I currently feel and why? What are the emotions that I would like to feel?

• What is my ideal end result (wether I think it's possible or not)? How can I strive to achieve that end result?

  
  

Take the time to think about these questions. A coverup tattoo may not be the answer. Learn about all your options and take the time to execute a plan of action carefully. You deserve the boundless care in this process.

This piece has elements that represent herself, her mother, and her daughter. There are three generations of strong women depicted in this tattoo.