Areola Repigmentation
What is Areola Repigmentation?
Areola Repigmentation is also called Areola Pigmentation, Areola Restoration, Areola Recoloring, or Areola Coloration. It is an advanced and specialized area of expertise within Permanent Cosmetics that is also called Medical or Paramedical Cosmetic Tattooing. Areola Repigmentation can help individuals with certain needs after any breast surgical procedure that creates an areola scar.
How can Areola Repigmentation help people after breast surgery?
The areola is part of the human breast in both women and men. It is the circular area of skin around the nipple that is typically thicker and darker than the surrounding skin, and it plays a key role in the aesthetic look of a breast. Since a woman's self-image can depend on the a
Many breast surgeries leave a scar around the areola called a peri-areolar scar. Some breast surgeries also create a vertical scar from the nipple through the lower portion of the breast that can also be camouflaged. Incisions at or around the edge of the areola may occur during the following surgeries: Breast Enlargement (Augmentation Mammoplasty); Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty); Breast Lift (Mastopexy); and Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastis).
Post-Surgical Corrective Treatments
- Areola-Nipple Complex Simulation: This procedure is for patients who have had breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Cosmetic tattooing techniques create the appearance of an areola with color. It makes the reconstructed breast match the other breast and look more natural. This process is the "finishing touch" that helps people feel "complete", "whole" or "normal" again. With bilateral reconstructions, both areolas are re-created. Areola simulation or restoration can be done with or without a nipple button.
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Areola Color Correction: Color is added to soften, balance, or enhance grafted or non-grafted areolas after breast surgical procedures. This tattooing technique can also help women who have discoloration or lightening of the areolas after breastfeeding. In addition, people who have not had breast surgery but are self-conscious about their areola size or color (too small, too light, too dark) may choose this procedure to adjust the size or color. This procedure can be performed on both women and men.
- Areola Scar Camouflage: Many breast operations require one or more incisions around the areola at its edge which may produce scarring called a peri-areolar scar. The scar's appearance can be softened, blended, or minimized with corrective pigment scar camouflage techniques. Women and men can benefit from this.
Design and Color
At the initial visit, the patient's needs regarding areola shape, size, and color will be assessed. Because the patient's surrounding skin tone will affect the final color results, it is best to conduct a color spot test before the actual procedure is performed. A color spot test is strongly advised for scar camouflage since the idea is to match existing color. The color spot testing should be completed 4 to 6 weeks prior to the actual corrective pigment tattooing procedure to allow for healing and color stabilization.
Timeframe for Post-Surgical Scar CamouflageSurgery
Breast areola scar camouflage may occur as soon as 6 months after surgery or when a patient is released by his or her physician. In most cases, 2 treatment appointments are needed following the color spot test. The procedure visits are scheduled 6 to 8 weeks apart. An estimate of the number of sessions needed will be discussed and determined at the free consultation appointment. Dr. Reed follows any recommendations made by her patients' surgeons and she communicates with them regarding their mutual patients' progress.
| Breast Augmentation Surgery Scar Camouflage | |
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| Breast Reduction Surgery Areola Scar Camouflage | |
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| Areola Creation after Reconstructive Surgery | |
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