In recent years, medical tattooing has gained popularity as a way to help people who have undergone surgery to feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies. Post-op tattooing can be anything that helps create a more natural appearance after gender-affirming surgery.
For top surgery, this can range from blending color and adding realism to existing nipple grafts to creating completely 3D nipples (which are portraits of nipples to give the chest a more life-like appearance if the client chooses not to have nipple grafts). Some clients may also choose to include decorative designs to help distract from top surgery scars.
For bottom surgery, tattooing can benefit clients who have had radial forearm free-flap (RFF) phalloplasty or vaginoplasty. Your tattoo artist can create skin tones that match the surrounding area or correct color inconsistency issues, and can create veins, wrinkles, and other details to enhance the overall appearance.
Nipple graft before and after medical tattooing
Point of Pride Board Member Liz shares, “After I had my surgery, I developed an infection that led to deciding I wanted a revision. Even after the follow-up surgery, my results weren’t what I had hoped for.
I consulted with numerous surgeons about a second revision but the feedback was unanimous that a third surgery wouldn’t yield the results that I was hoping for. Disappointed, I began to explore alternatives and the idea of medical tattooing piqued my interest. After a lot of searching and consultations, I found an experienced artist to work with.
I could see significant improvement after just the first session. While it was more complicated to tattoo over not one but two layers of scar tissue, the artist was able to make significant progress in reducing the appearance of the scar tissue and creating a more symmetrical appearance on my chest. It definitely helped me feel much more comfortable about my surgery results.”
One practitioner of this art form is Shane Wallin of Garnet Tattoo in San Diego, a skilled tattoo artist who creates 3D tattoo nipples for trans folks and individuals who have had mastectomies. While most of Shane's tattooing focuses around masculinization, he also works with feminization to correct color inconsistency issues in vaginoplasty and increasing nipple size for clients desiring enlarged areola.
The impact of Shane's work on his clients is profound, as he helps them reclaim a sense of wholeness or confidence. We chatted with Shane to learn more about about his journey to becoming a medical tattoo artist and what guidelines he'd offer to folks considering this option for themselves.
[Shane Wallin]: "As long as I can remember, arts and creativity in all its many different forms have been an important part of my life.
In my teenage years, I became fascinated with tattooing. When I turned 18, I found a super talented artist for a sleeve tattoo I wanted. By the time we were finished, I had convinced him to apprentice me. I’ve been tattooing since 1994, so about 30 years now.
My path to medical tattooing began in 2012. I had the opportunity to tattoo a client who wanted to create a lace bra tattoo covering her scars from a double mastectomy. Working with her was a powerful and emotional experience that would be the spark that inspired me to shift the focus of my work.
At that time, nipple tattooing was primarily done in the doctor’s office. With my artistic background, I knew I could achieve a much better result for the client. And as my mastectomy-related clientele grew, I understood the need for medical tattooing, nipple restoration, 3D nipple tattooing, and post-op tattooing—and the positive impact it has on folks."
[SW]: "I have friends in the community, and I realized my work and passion could benefit those who had surgery as part of their transition. I find it especially rewarding to be a part of their affirmation journey—helping someone achieve gender euphoria while also easing dysphoria and creating safety. Clients have expressed that tattooing adds an element of safety in situations where they don’t necessarily want to explain their scars.
I believe everyone has the right to be the person they are meant to be, living their best lives free of fear or judgment. I’m also the proud parent of a transgender child!"
[SW]: "I believe that medical tattooing is often a great alternative to grafting, as you have less surgery and more control over the final look of your overall size, shape, color, and placement."
For answers to more specific questions, be sure to speak with your artist directly.
Shane is based in San Diego and offers appointments in Minneapolis, MN and the Bay Area. Visit www.ftmtattoo.com or follow his work at @ftm.tattoo on Instagram.