Tattoo innovation: restoring nipples lost to cancer treatment
When Lucy’s auntie shared that following breast cancer surgery she had been left traumatised by attempts to tattoo new nipples onto her reconstructed breasts, Lucy was devastated. A tattoo artist herself, Lucy became the UKs first tattoo artist to offer specialist paramedical 3D nipple tattoos for people who have had breast reconstruction following cancer treatment. She uses her specialist skills as an artist, and compassion as a relative and friend to support her clients in their full recovery from cancer. Photos are shared with permission from those featured.
Lucy Thompson is an innovative international medical tattoo artist and the founder of The Nipple Innovation Project, the UK’s first mastectomy tattoo charity. Since 2017, Lucy has been a pioneering advocate for enhancing post-mastectomy tattoo services, empowering breast cancer survivors to embrace their bodies. Through her Areola Academy, she trains a new generation of practitioners, while her partnership with the NHS ensures high-quality treatment is accessible to all. Lucy’s dedication to expanding her charity’s reach underscores her commitment to supporting and uplifting the breast cancer community, making a profound impact through her artistry and empathy.