Lucy's Journey: From Traditional Tattoo Artist to Areola Tattoo Advocate
As the founder of The Nipple Innovation Project (NiP), my story is deeply intertwined with the charity's mission. It all began with my passion for tattoo artistry, particularly the potential for tattoos to aid healing, especially for those with scar tissue. For over a decade, I've honed my skills in this area.
In 2016, a request for a nipple tattoo sparked a life-altering shift. It was uncharted territory for me, so I turned to my beloved aunt, a brave breast cancer survivor who had undergone a mastectomy. Her story left me heartbroken. The hospital nipple tattoo she received was poorly done, bleeding heavily before scabbing and ultimately fading away. This left her unable to look at her reconstructed breast for a decade.
This revelation was deeply unsettling. How could such a crucial aspect of a woman's physical and emotional recovery be addressed so inadequately? The idea of these semi-permanent tattoos fading only added to the frustration. Determined to offer a better solution, I delved deeper into the world of Areola Tattooing.
My research led me across the Atlantic, where I discovered the art of 3D Areola Tattooing. This innovative technique promised beautiful, natural-looking nipples that wouldn't fade or distort over time. Upon returning to the UK in early 2018, I became the first artist to offer a 3D, realistic service.
Initially, I offered these tattoos for free, overwhelmed by the number of women and men living with unsatisfactory hospital tattoos. However, the sheer demand coupled with my existing workload became unsustainable. It was clear a more sustainable solution was needed.
This realization, along with the growing awareness of the limitations of traditional hospital tattoos, fueled the creation of NiP in 2018. The UK's first mastectomy tattoo charity, NiP has two core goals: establishing a network of specially trained artists and raising funds to make this service accessible to all.
The journey hasn't been easy. Building a registered charity from scratch demanded countless hours of hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment from myself and the entire volunteer committee. But in 2020, after two years of tireless efforts, we achieved a significant milestone – official recognition by the Charity Commission.
The past six years have been a whirlwind of challenges and triumphs. From winning the realism contest at the prestigious Titanic Tattoo Convention in 2019 (with a client empowered by her new Areola Tattoos) to presenting the psychological benefits of Areola Tattooing at the Oncology Convention in 2021, NiP has steadily gained recognition and respect within the medical community.
Most recently, my Areola Tattoo training program received approval by an NHS trust. This signifies a monumental step towards achieving our ultimate dream: taking over this service from the NHS and ensuring a higher standard of care for all women.
This journey is far from over. But looking back, I'm incredibly proud of everything we've accomplished – from launching my own pharmaceutical-grade Areola pigment line in 2022 to forging connections with medical professionals.
My aunt's story remains a powerful inspiration. It's a constant reminder of the profound impact Areola Tattooing can have, and why NiP strives to empower women on their road to healing, one beautiful, permanent tattoo at a time.