Permanently Beautiful

The nice weather has brought out waves of pink-shirted walkers and runners bobbing their way through American towns. They wind through city streets in their pink shirts to support women who are fighting breast cancer and to raise money for local cancer hospitals and the American Cancer Society. Nearly everyone in America has shared a family member’s battle with cancer or has supported a friend who is fighting against this insidious disease. Every year, breast cancer strikes 1in 8 women and a number of men. An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer were reported among American women in 2009, in addition to 62,280 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. Among U.S. men, 1,990 new cases of invasive breast cancer were reported.

When breast cancer necessitates the removal of a breast, the decision can be traumatic, affecting a woman’s core view of herself. Our breasts are part of what define us as women. Losing a breast to mastectomy makes many breast cancer survivors feel less feminine and less confident about their appearance. Long experience working with breast cancer survivors led paramedical cosmetic tattoo expert Melany Whitney to develop a realistic three-dimensional nipple and areola restoration technique that helps women regain their feeling of femininity after a mastectomy. Click here to find out more.

In good news for breast cancer survivors, a new survey of women who underwent paramedical tattooing to create nipple-areolas as part of breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy found a high rate of long-term patient satisfaction. Published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, the report demonstrates acceptance by both the medical community and breast cancer patients of nipple-areola tattooing as a viable alternative to additional surgery in breast reconstruction.

Six years following paramedical tattooing, fully 84% of the women surveyed continued to rate their nipple-areola tattoo as satisfactorily pleasing in appearance; and 86% of patients agreed they would again choose a nipple-areola tattoo over other possible breast reconstruction options. Two to six years post surgery, more than half of the women (57%) surveyed reported that their nipple-areola tattoo still looked like a normal areola. Fewer than 3% reported problems with rash or infection post-procedure.

While 60% of tattoos in the study were marginally lighter in coloration than the natural areola, only 10% required any touching up to correct for excessive fading. Expert paramedical tattoo artist Melany Whitney has developed a procedure that minimizes potential fading of nipple-areola tattoos. By implanting a second layer of pigments six weeks after the initial implantation of permanent cosmetics, Melany is able to increase color retention and tattoo longevity. She has received no complaints about premature fading from her nipple-areola patients. In fact, Melany’s clients have been amazed by the realism and illusion of nipple protrusion achieved by Melany’s unique artistry and expert tattooing technique.

What's you bra color?

Tiger stripes. Purple with lace. Boring beige. Plain white. What’s the update in your Facebook status box today? Color. Just a single word statement of solidarity and support. Women started posting their bra color to their Facebook status update in the morning. Before they arrived at the office the phenomenon had gone viral. Single color statements of white or black were soon joined by the more colorful choices of women who enjoy expressing their individuality with their undergarments. Plaid with tiny flowers. Pink roses. Leopard spots. Red with yellow polka dots. No one really knew what was going on or why but it was fun!

For many it turned became a way to “spread the wings of cancer awareness.” It started out just for us girls with women sending their status only to gal pals. But it didn’t take men — and the media – long to catch on. Some guys even started posting their boxer colors in support! Whatever the reason for participating, it was a fun way to show your support for the fight against breast cancer.

Permanent cosmetics expert Melany Whitney is a long-time supporter of breast cancer awareness. Her revolutionary areola repigmentation and nipple restoration techniques have helped breast cancer patients undergoing breast reconstruction regain confidence in their personal beauty and femininity. Combining her skilled artistry with expert cosmetic tattoo micropigmentation techniques, Melany is able to create a natural three-dimensional appearing nipple and areola for women who have lost a breast to cancer.

I love the cool tat-designed Warriors in Pink t-shirt worn by NCIS star Pauley Perrette in the new Ford Cares fight against breast cancer public service announcement. Pauley plays the fabulously funky, tat-loving, sweet and huggable Princess of Darkness Abby Sciuto on the hit CBS crime show. The fight against breast cancer is close to Pauley’s heart. She lost her mom to breast cancer in 2002. When you purchase Pauley’s cool Midnight Warrior T-Shirt or other Warriors in Pink gear, Ford donates 100% of net profits to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

Warriors in Pink is just one of several new breast cancer awareness efforts aimed at younger women. At the forefront of this edgier, humorously self-aware approach is Canadian-based charity Rethink Breast Cancer. Their tongue-in-cheek, jiggly, giggly Save the Boobs psa recently rocked YouTube. Sponsors of Toronto’s annual Boobyball breast cancer benefit gala, the group is trying to connect with MTV-raised women who don’t see breast cancer as a personal risk, despite the fact that 5% of U.S. women battling breast cancer are under 40.

Pink t-shirts proclaiming “Save the ta-tas” and other cheeky slogans have catapulted Julia Fikse’s same-named Southern Cal t-shirt business to popularity among 20- and 30-somethings. The fashion designer donates 5% of every sale to breast cancer research and awareness in support of family members who are battling the disease.

That same personal involvement with women battling breast cancer led renowned paramedical tattoo artist Melany Whitney to develop her unique 3-D nipple and areola breast restoration technique.

As women we reject the chauvinistic notion that we are defined by our most protruding feature. We are not our breasts. Yet, the undeniable reality is that our breasts do differentiate us as wholly female and are inextricably intertwined with our sense of femininity. When a woman loses a breast to cancer, she grieves. Part of what makes her feel female is gone forever. The emotional struggle to adjust to the loss of a breast from mastectomy is one more hurdle toward recovery.

Breast reconstruction surgery has helped many breast cancer survivors regain confidence in their femininity. But breast reconstruction provides only the shape of the lost breast. For many women, the scarring and lack of areola and nipple definition can be as horrible as the initial loss and a jarring daily reminder of that loss. A breast is more than a mound of tissue. The deeper colored areola and protruding nipple define a woman’s breast. Without that essential definition it is difficult for many women to embrace a reconstructed breast as their own.

Many plastic surgeons do not understand the emotional need to create an aesthetically realistic breast. Through her work with mastectomy patients, paramedical tattoo expert Melany Whitney came to realize the deep emotional need breast cancer survivors had for reconstructed breasts that looked real. Combining her artistic ability and professional expertise, Melany developed a unique micropigmentation tattoo technique that recreates the natural, three-dimensional look of a real breast. Click here to see actual results. Paramedical breast restoration can be the final step in successful breast cancer recovery.

Most of us have a family member or close friend who has had or who is now struggling against breast cancer. For women, the fight against breast cancer is a universal experience, the struggle that binds us to each other, the cause that brings us together. Breast cancer doesn’t distinguish rich from poor, CEO from sales clerk, professional woman from hotel maid, Hollywood celebrity from small town soccer mom. For women, breast cancer is the great equalizer and the fight against it, a common bond.

If you are close to someone who has fought against breast cancer, you understand the difficulty and intensity of the struggle. You’ve held her hand and cried with her. You’ve kept her company in cold, drafty hospital rooms. You’ve watched her children when the nausea from chemotherapy made her ill. You’ve delivered endless casseroles when she was too exhausted to cook. You may have shaved your head in solidarity or grown your locks for donation to Locks of Love. You’ve walked and cycled countless miles to raise funds for cancer research. Most of all, you’ve been there when your friend needed you most. If you are fortunate, you’ve helped your friend survive for we are slowly, at long last, winning the fight against breast cancer.

But even after the fight is won, the struggle to adjust to the loss of a breast from mastectomy can be a difficult hurdle, one more agonizing battle in the fight against breast cancer.

Thursday: How Permanent Makeup can help your loved one fight the final battle in breast cancer recovery.

Time to wear pink! October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we’re happy to report that progress is being made. According to the American Cancer Society, since 1990 breast cancer deaths in the U.S. have been declining by about 2% a year. Even so, 192,370 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 40,170 will die from the disease. The good news is that survival rates are improving: 89% at five years after diagnosis, 82% after 10 years and 75% after 15 years. But survival often carries a high price tag. Women lose their hair, eyebrows and eyelashes to chemotherapy. They may lose a breast if they have to undergo a mastectomy. Cancer surgery can leave unsightly scars. Certainly, it seems a small price to pay for life; but the physical aftermath of battling cancer can continue to reopen emotional wounds as survivors try to move on with their lives.

If you are a cancer survivor, we want you to know that you are not alone. The caring staff at the Whitney Center for Permanent Cosmetics offers our support. Specialized paramedical tattooing techniques perfected by nationally-recognized technician Melany Whitney can help cancer survivors regain their beauty and self-confidence. Permanent makeup can recreate natural eyebrows and eyelashes lost during chemotherapy. Artistic paramedical tattooing can camouflage scars from tumor surgery. Melany’s unique three-dimensional nipple and areola restoration can make surgically reconstructed breasts look natural again. There is life after cancer. Permanent makeup can help a beautiful new you enjoy each new day.

Just a year after a double mastectomy for breast cancer, Christina Applegate looked radiant at this year’s Emmy Awards in a stunning navy silk charmeuse gown from Basil Soda. I loved the sensually draped bodice and eye-catching sheer lace midriff. At the January SAG awards, the Samantha Who? star was just as gorgeous in an emerald green off-the-shoulder gown from Emanuel Ungaro. Christina hasn’t let her battle with breast cancer or her decision to undergo a double mastectomy hold her back. Thanks to the surgery, the television comedian is cancer free, as lovely as ever and working hard.

Like many women who undergo a mastectomy for breast cancer, Christina had breast reconstruction surgery. While surgery can return nature’s curves to a woman’s body, the lack of visible areola and nipples can make reconstructed breasts seem less than real to cancer survivors. It was her desire to help cancer survivors reclaim their femininity that led nationally recognized paramedical tattoo artist and permanent makeup specialist Melany Whitney to develop a realistic-looking three-dimensional areola/nipple complex for reconstructed breasts. Click here to see the amazingly realistic results of Melany’s unique nipple and areola restoration technique.

As Christina knows, self confidence comes from within, but how we look does affect how we feel. Paramedical tattooing restores the breast’s natural beauty, helping cancer victims regain confidence in their own femininity.

Breast cancer survivors who have undergone mastectomy are often anxious to proceed with breast reconstruction surgery. When the trauma and worry of surgery and subsequent treatment end, they are eager to move forward and reclaim their femininity. It can be hard to wait when you just want to feel whole again.

Difficult as it may be, it is necessary to allow the body to adjust after surgery so that the finished breast reconstruction will look natural. After the breast mound has been reconstructed, breast cancer survivors must wait another two to three months before the nipple and areola can be recreated with paramedical tattooing. It takes time for swelling in the breast mound to reduce and for the new breast to settle into its natural sag. It is necessary to wait so that the permanent cosmetics technician can correctly place the nipple and areola in line with the other breast to achieve a naturally symmetrical appearance.

Observing first-hand the pain and doubt that affect breast cancer survivors as they struggle to rebuild their sense of self, permanent makeup and paramedical tattoo artist Melany Whitney has developed a unique paramedical tattooing technique that creates the three-dimensional appearance of a nipple and areola on a reconstructed breast. To view photographs, visit The Whitney Center for Permanent Cosmetics website.

While we may chide men for their sometimes obsessive interest, our breasts are among the features that make us uniquely female. Losing a breast to cancer, while sometimes necessary, can be a very traumatic experience. For the sake of their health, some women must choose to sacrifice a piece of their femininity. Melany Whitney’s unique three-dimensional cosmetic tattooing allows these courageous women to regain breast beauty.

Many were shocked when 36-year-old actress Christina Applegate, whose mother is a repeat breast cancer survivor, made the difficult decision to have both breasts removed after being diagnosed with breast cancer and finding she carried the BRCA1 breast cancer gene. Even though cancer was found in only one breast, the beautiful star of ABC TV’s hit comedy Samantha Who chose to have both breasts removed to ensure complete elimination of the cancer and minimize its chance of returning. It can’t have been an easy decision for a woman at the height of her career.  

Losing her breasts has been emotionally traumatic, Ms. Applegate admitted. “Sometimes, you know, I cry. And sometimes I scream. And I get really angry,” she said. But the actress considers her anguish “all part of the healing.” Over the next eight months, Ms. Applegate will be undergoing breast reconstruction surgery.  “I’m going to have cute boobs till I’m 90,” joked the irrepressible actress.

Restoring breast beauty after cancer loss to help survivors recapture self-confidence in their femininity has been particularly satisfying to Board Certified permanent cosmetics technician Melany Whitney. To restore natural beauty to reconstructed breasts, she has developed a unique cosmetic tattooing procedure that recreates the realistic three-dimensional appearance of a natural nipple and areola. “When my client cries after seeing herself looking whole again, I cry also,” she said. “I am so thrilled I can help each woman regain what she lost and move forward with their lives.”