Tattooing with a Mission: How Nipple Tattoos Bring Healing to Those Who Need Them

Thousands of people have mastectomies or top surgeries each year. Often, one or both nipples are removed during the process, leaving those patients feeling insecure about how they look. Some people find that having nipples tattooed is an important final step toward feeling more like themselves again.

Helping people feel more whole is why Eden Body Art owner Deanna James started tattooing nipples for free for those who need them.

What got you started with tattooing nipples? 

Deanna: I tattooed my first nipples years ago. A woman had paid $3,000 for nipples from a surgeon that looked very orange and towards the center of her chest. She brought her two daughters and after I fixed them, I realized how happy it made her, and her daughters started crying. One of them said, “mom, cover up!” Like she had real nipples to cover up. When they were checking out I couldn’t bring myself to charge her because it didn’t take very much time and she had already paid so much. So I thought, why not offer them to anyone who needs them?

How do you feel hearing the stories from women before and after the experience?

I feel the biggest sense of purpose. And don’t get me wrong, I love tattooing other things, but I feel like a lot of times that’s for myself, whereas this feels so selfless to me and makes me feel like what I’m doing is for a bigger purpose. 

It’s difficult for you to showcase this kind of work because social media sites (Instagram specifically) take photos down. What do you wish you could say about that?

I feel like there are so many other pictures on Instagram that should be taken down. It’s crazy to think that what I’m doing, which is immensely helpful to people, is the thing that draws negative attention from Instagram.

Do you tattoo nipples just for women? 

I tattoo nipples for anybody who needs them, including people who have gone through top surgery, to women who have had double mastectomies. 

What’s the best way to get in touch with you if you’re someone who needs this? 

Just send us an email! Nicole handles all of the nipple inquiries and she’s more than happy to walk anyone through the process.