I had my nipple tattoo yesterday. All went well, if you want the details read on:
I had a skin test a couple of weeks ago and was given an appointment but told to get there 30 minutes early so they could apply some numbing cream. I did and undressed just my top half so they could put the cream on then the nurse prepared all the consent forms, I had one for the procedure and another for photos of before and after. Next she gets a few inks/pigments out and a couple of cotton buds and starts to apply a sample of ink to a small area next to and including my existing areola. She does that with about four colours and we agree which is the nearest. The same as if you are buying a new foundation and they are checking the shades, She writes that down and we do the same with my actual nipple. She then says she needs other colours to create the shading for the 3d effect but I leave that to her because I have no idea what she is looking for.
Next she produces a template which is a piece of plastic with holes cut in it and she places it over my existing areola and gets the best match for size and makes a note of it. Ditto another hole for my actual nipple. Then she says the cream has had long enough so she wipes any residue off and asks me to stand up, she takes a couple of photos and then starts measuring me for placement and when she is happy she gets the template and puts that in the area she has calculated to be the best placement and marks it in the centre.
The next step has me sitting on a couch/table/bed and she lowers the back down so that I am almost flat just my head raised so that I am comfortable. She then presses a button and raises the bed up so that it is at a comfortable height for her to work standing up. The nurse covers me up with a sheet which has her work area cut out and she asks me to be as still as I can with my arms by my side.
Next she turns the machine on and gets to work. It is not at all uncomfortable but you are aware of the vibration of the machine and it buzzes. After a few minutes she asks if I need break but I am fine and let her carry on with it all. It takes her about 25 minutes and then she shows me in the mirror and it looks just like the other one! I stand up again for her to take a photo and she shows me in the mirror again and I am amazed - it looks so real. She puts a dressing over it and says to leave it on for 48 hours then remove it, don’t get it wet for 10 days, so no swimming, have a bath sitting up and be careful in the shower etc. She will send me an appointment for a top up in about 6 to 10 weeks.
I am delighted. It is a bit sore now, nothing dreadful - just feels like a graze but I don’t need pain killers for it.