Medical
Areola reconstruction; step by step process
Dec
The areola can be reconstructed using a special micropigmentation technique and optical reconstruction.
After undergoing a mastectomy with subsequent reconstruction of the breast and nipple through plastic surgery clients will then be referred to a specialist in advanced micropigmentation to start the reconstructive process of nipple and areola micropigmentation. Oncology patients should be informed about micropigmentation at the beginning of their diagnosis to help boost self esteem thereby improving their willingness to confront the diagnosis for a successful treatment.
Micropigmentation of the nipple and areola requires the application of many different techniques and shades and must only be performed by highly experienced professionals who have acquired great skill and knowledge within this specialist area. Below we show a step by step guide on how this treatment is performed.
STEP 1
The areola design will be pre-drawn using the chosen pigment and will serve as the reference for the completion of treatment. Once the design has been confirmed with the client, the technician can go ahead with starting the treatment.
STEP 2
The design will be transferred with a light reddish brown using a ‘reference lines’ technique that will contour the areola. This is a series of dots close to each other to outline the design.
STEP 3
The treatment continues by using a ‘skin on skin’ technique working from the outline to the inside of the areola covering one third of the design using the same colour as the previous step.
STEP 4
The same technique is used again to progress greater saturation towards the innermost part of the areola, starting from the outside again working inwards with the same colour pigment as the tone in the previous step.
STEP 5
A “small circle” technique is used as a ‘filler or coating’ marking the outer border of the nipple. Then using ‘zig zag’ techniques very close to the pigmented area that represents the nipple itself using a medium reddish, leaving an unfilled area brown to create a three dimensional effect.
STEP 6
Using an ‘eights’ technique, we make small figure of eight movements to create a blurred effect of colour, starting from the middle of the areola outwards using the same tone used in the previous step to create a blended effect.
STEP 7
Using ‘giro’ technique movements, to right and left, from the middle of the areola starting from the nipple working outwards. Colour is then expanded from the inside towards the ends using fast maneuvers careful not to oversaturate using the same colours used in the previous step.
STEP 8
Using a ‘spiral’ technique in the middle of the areola, we create random small curved lines, this creates a darker area with brown spots, with very clear light beige tones and organic yellow illuminators we create a 3D effect of areolar skin glands by applying this highlighter colour just on top of the curved lines.
STEP 8
The procedure is concluded creating a capillary using small ‘fine lines’ techniques from the inner to the outer areola using organic reds.
