Nicole Rizzuto

Absolutely not! The needle is only entering the dermis layer of the skin less than 1 mm. No deeper than the thickness of a nickel. If your skin has been thinned out from reconstruction surgery, evaluation of your skin during the consultation will be documented. This is why it is important to find a tattoo artist who understands fundamental body art tattooing and adjusts the techniques to every body properly.

Consultations are 45 minutes for new clients. The artist will examine the area needed for tattooing, making sure the skin/scars are safe to tattoo. Other information such as aftercare, tattoo process, your medical history and any questions you may have will be discussed. Tattoos are not performed the same day as your consult. You must be approved to tattoo due to the complications of tattooing scars/surgical sites.

Everyone healed at different timeframes. Ideally, you should start consulting with a tattoo artist 6-8 months from your last surgery. Scars should be white with no visible redness or sutures. It's best to wait around a year to safely receive tattoos on a surgical site/scar tissue. Make sure to discuss all related medical history with the artist as well such as medications, chemo or radiation treatments and dates of surgery.

Nipple restorative tattoos due to breast cancer surgery is a part of your entire reconstruction process thanks to the “Women’ Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) of 1998”. Very commonly, the surgeons office may provide the tattoos in-house either performed by the surgeon themselves or another staff member. Authorization through your insurance company is processed as any other visit or procedure. A itemized bill or “SUPERBILL” are provided to all breast cancer/genetic susceptibility clients the day of your tattoo as well as receipts and note to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Tattoos will have to be paid in full, out of pocket and is due the day of your appointment. Because you will be receiving your tattoos by a licensed tattoo artist and is categorized as a “out of network” provider, medical information will be needed such as: diagnosis/ surgical procedures/ medical history to submit for possible reimbursement of tattoo payment. To be prepared for your consult, bring with you: copies of any operative reports diagnosis/ICD codes (can be retrieved by your oncology surgeons office) Each persons plans are different. We suggest calling your insurance company in advance to find out the reimbursement benefits for “OUT-OF-NETWORK” providers.