Sun Signature Article - March 2009

Sun Signature Article - March 2009
What you need to know about medical tatoos and micropigmentation

To some, the word “tattooing” takes on a different light than what the normal take is on this ancient art of body marking.

Body marking occasionally comes into play in the realm of healing, and more often than not, there is a practical motivation for an unchanging mark and at times, art is not the motivating factor. In this case the tattooing would be referred to as medical tattooing.

The most common application of medical tattooing comes in the realm of radiation therapy for cancer. A sort of targeting pattern is often tattooed onto these patients, as the treatment schedule is frequently stretched over a period of months. This is the most reliable way of marking the treatment ar- eas without having to re-measure and remark, giving the oncologist a fixed map to follow.

Increasingly, there is also us- age of tattooing for reconstructive purposes, often called “Areola Restoration. Areola Restoration and Scars Camouflaging follow- ing mastectomy are the leading areas where tattooing can be a part of a patient’s post-surgery treat- ment options.

In this case, doctors and medi- cal tattoo technicians collaborate with patients to restore a pre-ill- ness and pre-surgery appearance. Medical tattooing is simple, safe, effective and minimally invasive. This procedure promotes accep- tance of self-image and closure on the breast cancer experience.

“I feel whole again;” “I can un- dress in the same room as my husband again,” or “I don’t feel that there is something missing any- more,” are some of the common responses and feedback that Le- Anne Nguyen, a veteran medical tattoo technician often heard from her clients who have received the Areola Restoration procedure after their mastectomy.
LeAnne Nguyen is a medical es- thetician (M.E.) with a combina- tion of over 13 years experience in esthetics industry.

Ms. Nguyen is the owner and founder of San Diego Permanent Make-Up Center (SDPMC) since 2004, specializing in permanent cosmetic micropigmentation as well as medical tattooing.

SDPMC is regarded as one of the nation-leading specialists in the field of medical tattooing. Ms. Nguyen’s innovative approach delivers the very latest performance and techniques to her clients.

SDPMC’s medical accounts include: Gupta Plastic Surgery Center of Carmel Valley; Centre for Health Care of Poway; Tem- ecula Valley Physician Medical Group; Hemet Community Medi- cal Group and Coastal Plastic Sur- geons of Poway, Carmel Valley and Temecula.

While insurance does not nor- mally cover Areola Restoration, there are cases where medical insurance could apply. If this procedure improves your ability to function normally both emo- tionally and psychologically after mastectomy, it may be partially covered by insurance and/or state funded programs.

Check with your oncologist or reconstructive surgeon office for more information.

If you, or anyone you know are breast cancer survivors and would like to bring closure to your breast cancer experience by the way of Areola Restoration, feel free to contact Ms. LeAnne Nguyen for more information.

You may also obtain “before and after photos” of Areola Restora- tions performed by Ms. Nguyen by contacting her directly at: in- formation@sandiegopermanent- makeupcenter.com or by calling her directly at (858) 4885-7895.