Areola Microp
igmentation: The Final Step in Breast Reconstruction
For patients with breast cancer, their journey to healing may include both addressing physical needs and providing emotional support. After a mastectomy, women frequently have breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction alleviates the deformity of the breast and constructs breasts that meet the patient\rquote s expectations aesthetically and psychologically. Melissa Johnson is a certified micro-pigmentation specialist and derma-graphic technician, certified in the para-medical feild of needling, for scar treatment and camouflage. Utah Dermagraphics provides Areola Micro Pigmentation and scar treatment in a comfortable and professional environment that can give back an element of normalcy to survivors.
Areola and nipple Micro Pigmentation techniques involve implanting custom color pigment into the dermal layer of the skin as a way to restore the natural beauty of your breasts. Advanced techniqes in care will be taken during the asthetic design to give a three dimensional appearance to the nipple reconstruction,creating a 3D effect to accomplish the illusion of protrusion. Melissa corrects scars with a needling “raque” technique, which allows for the re-surfacing of keloided tissue and the correction or re-application of pigmentation to the skin due to hyper-pigmentation/hypo-pigmentation (white or dark
scars). This radical and effective procedure can remove scars and add a natural color to the skin. I provide a natural appearance to help women recover physically and emotionally from the scars of breast cancer. When Utah Dermagraphics does the work, we take into consideration areola position, breast contour, creates the illusion of nipple protrusion factoring in the diffusion of color and your own skin tone. Your comfort is an important consideration. Most areola procedures are painless but may have some sensation.
The color will go from deep color to healed preferred color. It will heal about 30% lighter in just a week or two. Getting the right shade of color may require more than one procedure. Plan on 2-4 visits to “build your breast” with layers of color, achieving even more realistic definition. Also at times scar treatment work is also needed and can take multiple visits.
If only one breast has been reconstructed – pigments are custom blended, to create the most natural looking result to match the existing nipple and areola. It is obviously harder to match what is natural (as in a unilateral mastectomy) than to create two areola complexes that match exactly… but with her superior artistic ability, Melissa can “replicate” what the client has on the healthy breast even down to the montgomery glands (those small white areas that protrude) for unbelievable, natural-looking results. If you had blateral reconstructions, I can request your preo-operative photos to recreate the nipple color , or you can choose a new desired color to complement your skin tones.
For men and women who have areolas that are too small, asymmetrical, and too pale or without definition, cosmetic tattooing can achieve a balanced shape, even coloring and clarity. Permanent cosmetic tattooing is a simple, non-surgical procedure that when performed properly, is safe and effective. It\rquote s an excellent way to enhance your natural appearance. Scar treatment procedures help with breast augmentation scars, breast reduction scars and radical mastectomy scars.
Jeanine Nilsson, a breast cancer patient of Melissa’s, shares, “I am a breast cancer survivor. I had a masectomy on my right breast and then after chemo, I had recontructive surgery called TRAM Flap surgery where they take the skin and fat from your stomach and form a breast. So there are many scars, stretch marks from my tummy skin and, of course, no nipple or areola. I decided to get nipple surgery and I thought this included aerola tattooing but it did not. So I was referred to Melissa @Utah Dermagraphics. She was super friendly and made me feel at ease. Her work area was clean and santitized. She took the time to match the color of the areola she was going to tattoo to my left breast. I am really liking my areola tattoo that Melissa did alot. She also need “needling” on my stretch marks and I am amazed at the difference from before and after. I highly recommend Melissa at Utah Dermagraphics”.
*Please note: Your procedure may qualify to be covered by your health insurance. Find out more information about your rights for coverage and to select your tattooing provider under the Federal Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998. Most insurance companies have to cover all areas of breast reconstruction, so the procedure is reimbursable.
Breast Reconstruction Resources: Insurance Laws by State of Utah follows the example of the federal statute by requiring coverage for medical and surgical benefits for mastectomy and for all stages of reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy has been performed and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance. The measure also requires coverage for prostheses and physical complications of mastectomy. [31A22630]
