Every October, we have a national conversation about breast cancer and what we can do to further understanding, awareness, and acceptance. But every month of the year, breast cancer patients are battling and surviving. And every month of the year, women undergo mastectomies — during which breast tissue and sometimes nipples are removed — as a result of the disease.
Sure, many opt for reconstruction afterward. But more and more often, they're opting for reconstruction and mastectomy tattoos.
"I see emotional, physical, and mental improvement for the client if tattooing is their choice of recovery/reconstruction," says Amy Black, a tattoo artist who has worked on hundreds of mastectomy patients over the past three years and recently started her own nonprofit, the Pink Ink Fund.
"They can see something new and beautiful that either helps cover, distract, or sometimes even enhance what is left after surgery. To see someone beam true happiness is indescribable for me."
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Like Black, many other tattoo artists are now teaming up with nonprofits and plastic surgeons to work one-on-one with breast cancer survivors and create beautiful body art on their busts. We rounded up 10 images of their gorgeous work.
Check out these 10 beautiful mastectomy tattoos.
Image via iStock.com/Brainsil
Cherry Blossoms
This beautiful chain of cherry blossoms is just one of Black's many remarkable pieces.
"I work proudly at my own studio and receive referrals from local plastic surgeons," she explains.
Blooming Flower
P.ink, an organization dedicated to educating breast cancer survivors about mastectomy tattoos as an alternative healing option, held their annual P.ink Day earlier this month — a 12-city event with 38 survivors receiving tattoos.
In Baltimore, survivor Kathy (pictured here) had this impressive floral tattoo done by Anali De Laney of Never Say Die Tattoo.
Cynthia Rowley Flowers
This bold and bright flower tattoo, also done by Black, was inspired by fashion designer Cynthia Rowley.
More from The Stir: 10 Awesome Tattoos for Breast Cancer Awareness
Royal Heart
Tattoo artist Darren Hall from Rising Tide Tattoo created this colorful, powerful Claddagh (an Irish design that symbolizes friendship, loyalty, and love) for survivor Jennifer at the P.ink Day in Boulder, Colorado. The next day Jennifer shared that she "woke up feeling like I'm living a dream!!"
Grapevines
Black did this beautiful grape vine tattoo for a survivor who had a bilateral mastectomy with no breast reconstruction, explaining, "She wanted art to heal." Incredible.
Monarch Butterflies on Trees
At this year's annual P.ink Day in San Francisco, Kristy Quiñones of Black and Blue Tattoo inked this stunning piece. It was her first time working with a breast cancer survivor.
"I really connect with my recent client Kerri's story and wanted to do more and get involved to help women in her same position," she tells The Stir. "It really hit me hearing about women who don't feel sexy or womanly at all due to their battle."
Kerri's reaction? "It's amazing. I can't see scars at all anymore and the last thing that comes to mind now is missing nipples. This is totally life-changing for me mentally and emotionally. "
Nature-Inspired 'Bra'
North Carolina-based tattoo artist Baylen Levore tattooed this feminine, feathery bra-like piece for a survivor. So gorgeous!
Orchids
"This client had her mastectomy several years before we connected," Black explains of this whimsical design. "She wanted flowers and a butterfly instead of the anatomical nipple/areola tattoos and was very happy with her results!"
Rainbow Butterfly
For this lateral mastectomy, Black tattooed a small, multi-hued butterfly. So simple, so lovely.
Rose Vine
Breast cancer survivor Jennifer received these stunning roses from tattoo artist Samantha Mancino of Clubhouse Tattoo Photo at the annual P.ink Day in Oakland, California.
