50. Adrenalin Tattoos

I book in for my areola tattoo 14 months after my first mastectomy. I choose to have a permanent 3D tattoo rather than a medical micropigmentation tattoo by the nurse as the latter is more likely to fade and require several treatments. I am going to a proper tattoo parlour in the back streets of Luton - Adrenalin Tattoos. The owner, Richard, has been trained in the art of areola tattooing by Vinny Myers in the US. I send him some photos of my breasts in advance so he can assess what needs doing.

The shop is full when I arrive, but Richard has kindly offered to do my tattoo after hours when the shop is closed to ensure full privacy. I sit patiently for an hour as whole families have piercings and tattoos completed. The walls are decorated with examples of art work - I feel tempted to book in for
something more creative but am a tattoo novice and chicken out.

Richard had suggested that he might tattoo the left nipple to ensure it matches the new reconstructed nipple and 'areola' but my husband has asked that I leave it natural. I decide to leave it to Richard as the expert and advise my husband that he will have to tell me it looks great whatever.

I'm pretty nervous despite the cup of tea and banter. Richard draws the new areola on me in red biro and assures me that it won't have a hard line around the outside. He then spends a significant amount of time mixing brightly coloured inks - including purple, green and yellow as well as the flesh toned pinks and browns. He matches the colour to the existing areola on my left breast and then begins the tattooing. The sensation is not pleasant but is easily bearable due to the reduced sensitivity on my breast - although I do have some nerve endings and can certainly tell the skin is being pierced with a needle. I'm lying flat and trying to concentrate on the jokes being told for my benefit (with a slight sense of deja vu from my last procedure). I make a mental note to improve my repertoire for future audiences.

The procedure takes an hour and at the end I have a new areola that looks really quite remarkable. I'm impressed - the shape and colour match are good (the colour will lighten further as it heals over the coming week) and there is indeed a 3D impression with shading under the reconstructed 'nipple' and some 'Montgomery's glands' cleverly highlighted. I feel relieved at the outcome, having not known what to expect and am overall pretty pleased with the result. Richard gives me some aftercare advice, shows me one of his tattoos, kisses me on the cheek and I'm on my way.

My husband's initial impression is very positive - my breasts definitely look more complete and are now offset by the long awaited lingerie for my birthday.