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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Some women who have had breast cancer treatment have chosen to have a breast tattoo to create the look of a new nipple or through a more elaborate expression of tattooed art on their breasts to cover their scars.
I wrote an article in July, 2014 about P.INK, the organization that helps women find tattoo artists.
P.INK , which stands for Personal Ink, is an organization that connects women to tattoo artists who have scar or mastectomy experience. The artists are able to provide any kind of art, not just nipple tattoos.
P.INK held their first P.ink Day last October 10th 2013 and plan to have their second gathering this October 10th.
“P.ink Day 2014 is our second annual effort to connect tattoo artists and survivors for a day of healing with tattoos. Our local leaders are making it happen with all-volunteer crews in 12 cities across North America this year.”
P.ink Day is being held at the 12 different sites across North America listed here.
P.INK also has developed an Inkspiration app that currently is only available for the iPhone.
The app gives survivors the ability to see what a tattoo would look like in the privacy of their own home. You can upload your own photo or choose one of the body types from the app.
You can select various tattoos from their growing library of tattoos and place them on your body, sized to fit to see what they would look like on you. You can save the image or share it with someone you care about.
When you are ready, P.INK will help you find someone with mastectomy experience to help you redefine yourself.
Go here to see the youtube of the app and to download it.
The P.INK website also has a page about 10 things you should know before you sign up to get a tattoo for P.ink day.
You need to check with your doctor before you consider actually getting a tattoo. Most survivors need to wait 18 months before they can.
In general when considering a tattoo, you should only work with artists who are experienced with mastectomy tattoos.
Take your time deciding what you want. Talk to the tattoo artist about any medications you are on that might affect bleeding.
P.INK lists those artists with this experience on their website through a pinterest link.
To keep abreast of P.INK day activities go to:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PersonalInk
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/personalink/pink-day
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Personal_Ink
Remember, one in eight women will develop breast cancer and 50 percent are left with mastectomy scars after surgery.
You or someone you are close to could get breast cancer so this is all good information for all women to know about to share.
Sources:
Nipple Tattoos are Reconstructing Areolas for Mastectomy Patients. EmpowHer. July 14, 2014.
https://www.empowher.com/breast-cancer/content/nipple-tattoos-are-recons...
PINK.org
http://p-ink.org/index
Michele is an R.N. freelance writer with a special interest in woman’s healthcare and quality of care issues. Other articles by Michele are at http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/499625/michele_blacksberg.html
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a Comment2 Comments
I believe you do have to wait 18 months after surgery to have the tattoo done but you should check with your doctor. The October events are done as a volunteer effort for women who cannot afford to have tattoos done . You can contact Pink to locate a tattoo artist near you so that you can discuss and plan a design you would want.
Michele
October 19, 2014 - 6:50pmThis Comment
I am a survivor and just finished reconstruction would love to do this! Would I need to wait till next October?
October 17, 2014 - 9:53amThanks
Ellie Fagundes
This Comment