Beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder,¹ but we sometimes need a gentle reminder that the only eyes which truly matter, are our own. Just as beauty embodies a personal and very individual experience, the aftermath of breast cancer treatment can look different from patient to patient. Whether you’ve experienced chemotherapy or one of the various surgical treatments available for breast cancer, know that, if you feel the need to, there are options available to put that sparkle back in your eye and help you feel like you again.   

Permanent makeup and tattoos can play a great part in the psychological healing process helping you to conceal, conclude or even celebrate your story.²  

Permanent Makeup

Chemotherapy can be such a daunting word. Thoughts immediately turn to hair loss, and for many women, the prospect of losing an important part of their appearance and identity.³ However, be assured that hair loss is not inevitable⁴ and losing a part of who you are definitely doesn’t have to be.   

Chemotherapy targets all rapidly dividing cells to eliminate cancer from the body. Unfortunately, it doesn’t distinguish between the healthy cells and the cancer cells, meaning that hair follicles -which are some of the fastest-growing cells in the body- are often caught in the crossfire.⁵ Because of this, hair loss, be it your eyelashes, eyebrows, underarm, leg and even sometimes pubic hair, has been associated with most chemotherapy drugs. However, this is usually a gradual process, beginning within 2-4 weeks after treatment starts and for some, only resulting in slight hair loss or hair thinning.⁶   

If you think you might need that extra confidence boost post-treatment, permanent makeup can always be an option. Also known as micropigmentation,  permanent makeup is a cosmetic procedure available to patients to create both eyebrow definition and long-lasting eyeliner.⁷ Microblading involves dipping a small blade (made up of a row of tiny needles) into colour pigmentation and creating small, hair-like motions in the top upper layer of skin to give the appearance of natural eyebrows whereas permanent eyeliner draws pigment along either your top or bottom lash lines to give the illusion of a thicker lash line.⁸ It’s usually recommended that these procedures should be carried out before your treatment, firstly for safety purposes and secondly because you can achieve more natural results if the technician can follow your eyebrow shape and lash line. If you do wish to carry out the procedure after treatment, that’s also completely fine, it’s just advised you leave at least three weeks after your last chemotherapy session.⁹ In any case, whatever you decide, always consult your healthcare professional before booking an appointment.   

Here are some top tips to bear in mind once you’ve spoken to your medical team and are ready to make that next step:⁹  

• Look for an experienced and well-respected practitioner   
• Ensure they are planning to carry out the appropriate sensitivity tests for the treatment   
• Ask to see a portfolio of their work so you can ensure the results are in line with the right look for you  
• As this is effectively a permanent decision, remember that make-up styles are subject to change over time – so you may wish to keep things very natural

Breast Tattoos

Physical scarring after breast cancer surgery often holds more of a psychological burden than we may realise. Whether a small area of the breast has been removed, keeping the majority of healthy tissue intact, or one or both breasts in their entirety, the remains of the incision have been linked to lower ratings of attractiveness and self-esteem amongst women.¹⁰ This is why some women who are uncomfortable with their scar may choose to conceal it with a tattoo. Deciding whether or not to get a breast tattoo is a big decision and one that should be made in your own time (there’s no rush!). The skin is usually very fragile after surgery, so to minimise risk, ensure you’ve consulted your physician. However, you may wish to know that for most women, the wait time is usually a year, so your scar is completely healed.  

There are two types of tattoos available for breast cancer patients: decorative tattoos and realistic tattoos. Decorative tattoos are a popular way of commemorating your journey and helping you to feel feminine and beautiful, often incorporating any scarring into intricate and elaborate artwork. Realistic tattoos refer to 3D nipple work, which involves the fine detailing and colouring of where the nipple and areola would be to give the illusion of its physical dimension again.¹¹ Patients often opt for this choice over nipple reconstruction surgery as it provides an easier healing and recovery process and avoids potential additional scarring.   

Here are some top tips if and when you’re ready to get your own breast tattoo:¹²  

• Consult your healthcare professional to ensure this is the best option for you  
• Visit a couple of studios before making your decision to see how the artists work, how clean the space is and examples of their previous work  
• Ensure your artist has all the relevant and up-to-date health and safety certificates   
• Find a tattoo artist you feel comfortable with, make sure they make you feel as special as your journey is (it’s completely normal if you’d prefer to request a female artist)   
• Make sure you follow all their aftercare advice and apply barrier cream regularly to prevent dryness and maintain the tattoo’s high quality

Price of Treatment

Permanent makeup and/or tattoos often come at a cost that not all women can afford. Fortunately, many cosmetic and medical practitioners like those involved with the Angels Ink Foundation in Canada¹³ and the Nipple Innovation Project¹⁴ in the UK offer free services for cancer patients for both permanent makeup and breast tattoos treatments. So, make sure you take your time when choosing to ensure you’re getting the best deal for yourself whilst not compromising on the quality of service you deserve.  

You have the power to choose if and when you’d like to explore these beauty options or whether you’d be more content at the end of the breast cancer journey staying just the way you are.   

No one should influence your decision. You are the main character in the story as well as the proud author of its beauty standards.

The information provided on this website is not intended to replace professional advice. Please always consult a healthcare professional if you require healthcare advice.