Areola Tattooing in Massachusetts

Areola Repigmentation is a cosmetic tattooing technique, also referred to as nipple tattooing. This service is provided to those who have undergone breast reconstruction surgery due to illness or disease, or anyone whose looking to add some more color or dimension to an existing nipple. Most commonly performed on breast cancer survivors, it can provide a whole new areola or nipple where there is no longer one (as seen in the photos above.) It can also benefit clients who have had gender-affirming surgeries. This process involves creating a hyper-realistic, 3D nipple & areola, or two. This service can be absolutely life-changing for those who need it most, and we are honored to be a part of something so beautiful.

FAQs

How long does Areola Repigmentation last?:

All cosmetic tattoos fade at different speeds depending on skin type, lifestyle, sun exposure, medications, genes, etc. It’s normal to see fading as the years go on. After a few years, if your tattoo has faded so much that it’s bothering you, come on back for a colorboost!

Does it hurt?:

Mild yet manageable discomfort can be expected during any tattoo service. However, many post-mastectomy clients experience numbness in the area due to the nerve endings being damaged during surgery. Therefore, clients who fall into that category often experience no discomfort at all. Every client has a unique experience. Regardless, we do use topical numbing agents throughout each service, to make our clients as comfortable as possible.

How long does it take to heal?:

While everyone heals at their own pace, most clients should expect around 10-14 days of “visible” healing, and an additional 4-5 weeks of healing beneath the skin.

What’s the aftercare process like?:

Click here to review aftercare instructions for every TGF service, including Areola Repigmentation / Nipple Tattooing.

Is there anyone who is NOT eligible for this service?:

We do have a full list of medical contraindications that would prevent us from performing the service, or require us to push it out a few weeks/months, with the client’s health and safety being our top priority. Head here, and scroll down to the ‘contraindications’ section, as all of the same ones apply to permanent makeup services & areola repigmentation. Please note: Clients interested in any type of cosmetic tattooing must be 6+ months cancer-free, OR have a note from their oncologist clearing them for tattoo services.

Will insurance cover this procedure?:

We recommend calling your insurance company directly to inquire. Because we are not healthcare providers, we can not charge insurance companies directly for this service. Some clients are able to share their receipt with the insurance provider, and get reimbursed. See the bottom of this page for more information on this.

Is there any other way to pay for the service outside of insurance?:

Our studio does offer a “Pay Later” option at checkout, where the cost of the service can be broken into smaller installments, spread out over the 6 weeks following your visit. At checkout, you’ll simply connect your checking account to our secure payment processor, and interest-free payments will be automatically debited every 2 weeks. Please note that Vagaro runs a soft credit check upon requesting to use the Pay Later feature, and not every client is approved. There are also grants that you can apply for through The United Breast Cancer Foundation, to help with the costs of the procedure!

Pricing:

One Side: $350 - 90min

Both Sides: $500 - 120min

6-Week Touchup (If Needed): $0 - 75min

PS: Ask us in advance how to save 10% at checkout!

In your email, please include whatever details of your medical history that you are comfortable sharing, as well as photos of the areas to be worked on. Please note that our email inbox is secure, and photos are only viewed by three people: Jessie (owner), the educator that we consult with on all cases, and the TGF artist that will be performing the service.

Additional information about getting reimbursed by your insurance provider:

We did tons of research on this topic, so that you don’t have to! Almost every insurance company stated that "medically necessary" breast procedures would have to be due to illness/disease/injury, and that the member would have to call and see if their individual plan covers it. They also noted that one member's request could be approved, while another member’s may not. We recommend calling your insurance company before booking your service, if cost is a determining factor for you! Below are some soundbites from the top insurance companies’ webpages, touching on this topic, to get you started.

Aetna:

• Aetna considers breast reconstructive surgery to correct breast asymmetry cosmetic except for the following conditions:

1. Surgical correction of chest wall deformity causing functional deficit in Poland syndrome when criteria are met in CPB 0272 - Pectus Excavatum and Poland’s Syndrome: Surgical Correction; or

2. Repair of breast asymmetry due to a medically necessary mastectomy or a medically necessary lumpectomy that results in a significant deformity. Medically necessary procedures on the non-diseased/unaffected/contralateral breast to produce a symmetrical appearance may include areolar and nipple reconstruction, areolar and nipple tattooing, augmentation mammoplasty, augmentation with implantation of FDA-approved internal breast prosthesis when the unaffected breast is smaller than the smallest available internal prosthesis, breast implant removal and subsequent re-implantation when performed to produce a symmetrical appearance, breast reduction by mammoplasty or mastopexy, capsulectomy, capsulotomy, and reconstructive surgery revisions to produce a symmetrical appearance; or

3. Prompt repair of breast asymmetry due to trauma Note: See CPB 0031 - Cosmetic Surgery for criteria related to surgical repair of cosmetic disfigurement due to trauma.

United Healthcare:

• The following procedures may be considered Reconstructive and Medically Necessary when performed with a breast reconstructive procedure.
  - Creation of a nipple (by various techniques) and areola (tattooing)
  - Mastopexy or breast reduction when required prior to Mastectomy to preserve the viability of the nipple.
  - Reconstruction with a breast implant with or without the following:
  - Implantation of a tissue expander as the initial phase of reconstruction
  - Use of an Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) including but not limited to Alloderm™, Cortiva® (AlloMax™), DermACELL, or FlexHD

Harvard Pilgrim:

• Harvard Pilgrim reimburses contracted physicians for the provision of cosmetic, reconstructive and restorative procedures only in limited circumstances where Harvard Pilgrim determines the procedures are medically necessary. Cosmetic, reconstructive and restorative procedures must be performed in a Harvard Pilgrim contracted facility.

• Cosmetic and reconstructive procedures are reimbursed in accordance with the member’s benefit. Harvard Pilgrim reimburses cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to repair severe disfigurement due to injury or disease or birth defect.

• (Post-mastectomy reconstruction is on this list, but areola repigmentation is not mentioned. Further down tattooing is mentioned under a Provider Billing Guidelines & Reimbursement chart - Please call your insurance provider directly)

Fallon Health:

• Skin Tattooing: The introduction of insoluble pigments to correct color defects of the skin.
  Tattooing may be medically necessary:
  1. To give the nipple-areola complex a more natural appearance following breast reconstruction surgery.

BCBS MA:

• Tattooing of the areola as part of nipple reconstruction following a covered mastectomy is considered MEDICALLY NECESSARY. Tattoo Removal or Application for indications other than the above listed criteria is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY.

Health New England Inc:

• Exclusions include: Cosmetic procedures, supplies or medications. Cosmetic surgery is covered if it is needed because of an accidental injury. It is also covered if it is needed to improve the function of a malformed part of the body. Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is covered.

MassHealth:

• In addition, breast reconstruction can also include nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing of the nipple area. MassHealth bases its determination of medical necessity for breast reconstruction surgery on clinical data including, but not limited to, indicators that would affect the relative risks and benefits of the procedure, including post-operative recovery.