When a woman has a breast reconstruction after cancer or trauma, the finishing touch is to have a coloured nipple/areola created on the new breast.

Nipple tattooing is a process in which the nipple and areola complex is recreated, using tattoo pigments to colour the area so that it looks as natural as possible.

The combined Breast Service realised the importance of being able to provide nipple tattooing in a safe, secure and familiar environment for their patients. This led to the Women’s Breast Care Nurses Monique Baldacchino and Clare Noonan, and the Royal Melbourne’s Wound Care Nurse Jenny Langdon being trained in the art of nipple tattooing. Treasure Chest funded their specialist nipple tattoo training in England – Monique in 2012 and Claire and Jenny in 2016 due to the growing demand for the procedure.

The nurses take the time to properly support women as they choose the right pigment for their skin and desired size. The tattooing is applied over two sessions and is semi-permanent, so patients may come back every four-or-so years for a touch up.

“When the women see the results,” says Monique, “they often cry tears of joy that their breast looks like it used to. For me and the women I see, it is a lovely way to spend a Friday afternoon.”