While Breast Cancer Awareness Month has passed, it’s still essential to keep this disease top of mind to continue supporting those affected in our communities. With that in mind, we sat down with longtime client, Theresa L. recently for an in-depth interview to share her breast cancer journey. From the point of her diagnosis, until after her visit at The FACE Studio for her areola tattooing session, we hope her story provides you with some valuable insights, advice and inspiration.
How did you find out about your diagnosis and what did treatment look like for you?
Like many, my cancer journey began unexpectedly and unfolded over the course of several years, marked by difficult decisions and surprising turns. Upon discovering my lump, I was reassured that it was just a cyst. Trusting that diagnosis, I didn’t follow up again until four years later with another mammogram during the first week of the pandemic. That same “cyst” was diagnosed as cancer, and it had doubled in size. Though it was stage 1, it was so surreal to realize I had cancer for four years.
The journey that followed was intense: a double mastectomy, a second surgery because one of my expanders wouldn’t open, a third for implants, and finally, a procedure to use fat from my stomach to fill out my upper breast area (though only 30% of it lasted). Physically, I was healing, but I struggled with how I looked and felt in my own body.
My advice to those who find a mass in their breasts is to see your doctor immediately and advocate for yourself to have it properly analyzed and tested. I was so incredibly lucky my tumor didn’t mutate within those four years.
How did learn about areola tattooing?
Initially, I didn’t know much about areola tattooing, and all I’d heard about were fake silicon nipples that go inside a bra. It felt disconnected from what I needed, so I didn’t give it much thought. Then I was given sticker try-ons to help me visualize the result, and they stayed on for two weeks. Seeing that glimpse of normalcy made me realize this was the path forward for me. It was an option that I never knew would be so impactful.
How did areola tattooing contribute to your emotional and physical healing process after breast cancer treatment?
When I learned more about areola tattooing, I felt excited—like I was reclaiming a part of myself. Without the tattoos, my chest felt unfinished, even freakish to me, with visible tissue ripples and a lack of structure. Adding the areola tattoos transformed how my chest looked, taking it from just skin to something that felt and looked natural.
This process also brought comfort to my spouse, who had struggled to understand and accept my new appearance. I realized that my partner’s experience had been different, seeing only the surgeries and reminders of suffering. The tattoos made it easier for us to connect and look beyond the trauma. My daughter, who’s a nurse, also supported me through my journey, especially with aftercare. Her knowledge and care brought us closer and offered me the additional support I needed.
What was your experience like during the actual tattooing process? Did it meet your expectations?
I approached the tattooing with mixed emotions, thinking it might be painful but hopeful for the results. Surprisingly, it was easier than I expected. Tuyen is incredibly skilled, taking my skin tone, my original color, and my desired look into account. She let me try on different designs and colors so I could feel comfortable. By the end, I was thrilled with the results.
The healing process itself was easy, too—under a week, with no complications. It felt like the “cherry on top” of my recovery journey, the final step in making me feel whole again.
How has areola tattooing affected your self-image or confidence after your breast cancer journey?
The tattoos didn’t just change how I looked—they changed how I felt. I was more confident, felt more “normal,” and loved the freedom to show them off to other women. It’s funny, but in sharing this part of my journey, I found a community of support and encouragement. In a way, the tattoos restored something beyond the physical—they helped bridge the gap between my pre-cancer self and who I am now.
Even my husband, who used to feel uncomfortable looking at my chest, could finally see me without being reminded of the surgeries and the trauma we’d gone through. Areola tattooing brought us a sense of closure and wholeness.
Any advice for those who are considering areola tattooing?
Yes, I wholeheartedly encourage them to go for it. It’s the final step in the journey and brings a sense of normalcy and healing that surgery alone cannot provide. The choice to reclaim your body in this way is deeply personal, and it has the power to shift how you see yourself.
Having a skilled, empathetic medical tattoo artist like Tuyen makes all the difference. He or she should see you, understand your journey, and be committed to making you feel empowered and comfortable.
Do you have any advice for those currently going through breast cancer treatment?
One piece of advice I wish I’d known earlier is that a double mastectomy is an option, even if doctors don’t always offer it upfront. A single mastectomy can be jarring, and in my experience and that of many other survivors, having both breasts reconstructed provides a greater sense of balance.
Joining a support group also brings invaluable comfort, and it’s important to remember to not isolate yourself. As cancer touches everyone differently, your spouse/partner may not be able to fully meet your emotional needs as the fear and helplessness can be overwhelming for them.
Breast cancer is the hardest journey I’ve ever faced, from that first unexpected call to the surgeries, isolation, and emotional upheaval. But through it all, I’ve found resilience. My journey, my scars, my tattoos—they’re all part of my story, a testament to my strength. Areola tattooing allowed me to close a painful chapter and start anew, finding beauty in a body that’s been through so much. For anyone facing this path, know that you’re not alone, and that wholeness, in whatever form you choose, is within reach.
