Tattoo artist gives free nipple tattoos to breast cancer survivors

By Emma Dunn

A woman tattoos nipples onto cancer survivors for free - to help them feel "human again."

Emily Ponte, 44, has been doing permanent make-up for 14 years and has been helping give cancer survivors their confidence back by tattooing on eyebrows after hair loss.

But she wanted to go one step further and trained in areola tattoos a year ago.

Now she offers out sessions for free for those who have been through cancer treatment - often having mastectomies, reconstruction and losing their nipples - with patients telling her the tattoos make them feel "human again".

Emily, a permanent make-up artist, from Welwyn, Hertfordshire, said: "It's a way of giving back.

"I love it.

"It's not just about a cosmetic thing.

"Areola work is free for mastectomy patients.

"The first thing a patient said to me was I feel human again."

Emily has always had a passion for helping cancer patients - and has enjoyed helping them gain confidence with eyebrow tattoos after losing their hair to treatment.

She started offering areola tattoos at the beginning of 2024.

She said: "I've been working with cancer patients for years.

"Areola tattoos are a new part of the business.

"It's realistic in appearance."

Emily says a lot of cancer survivors have a long wait on NHS waiting lists for nipple reconstruction OR? tattooing and she wants to make it known that artists like herself often offer the service for free.

She uses the same tattoo pens used to do brows or lips and will spend on average an hour to two hours detailing a patients nipple - which creates a 3D effect.

She said: "Working on scar tissue - it's more delicate to work on.

"I'm learning the art of doing areola.

"It can be quite an emotional thing.

"Some people will be like 'you've changed my life.'"

Nicola Deadman, 67, underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction but had to have her nipple removed after surviving lobular breast cancer.

She was able to have nipple tattoo due to Emily's services.

She said: "I was getting ready and got out the shower and I went 'OMG I feel like I have got proper boobs again'.

"It's very surreal.

"Now I've had it done I didn't realize how much I did need it doing.

"It's given me this new found confidence."

Emily offers the sessions once a month - and tries to do three patients in one day. She'll make sure they have a consultation beforehand to discuss their needs.

She said: "We take for granted that we have two of everything.

"It's the final part of their journey.

"For the NHS - it's a priority to get rid of the cancer.

"But as a woman with no breast or nipple - it's huge for them.

"It needs to be a priority.

"They should work closely with artists like myself."