By Julie Waters
LINDSAY Workman is helping breast cancer survivors who have undergone a mastectomy reclaim their body and their confidence with specialised nipple tattoos.
The Donaghadee woman was one of four tattoo artstis from across Northern Ireland selected to complete an intensive programme in realistic 3D areola tattooing.
The training was led by Lucy Thompson, medical tattoo expert, TEDx speaker and founder of The Nipple Innovation Project that has been helping to transform lives since 2018.
Lucy’s charity helps breast cancer survivors restore their nipples without the worry of cost, with its team of specially trained artists providing realistic, long lasting tattoos. For many people the tattoos have an empowering impact and are a boost in confidence after a traumatic time.
Lindsay, who runs Luxe Day Spa, at Blackwood Golf Club, has been offering semi-permanent make up, including for brows and lips, for the past 12 years and was thrilled to be selected for the training.
Explaining her inspiration, Lindsay, a semi permanent make up specialist, said: “I would treat a lot of ladies before they start their chemotherapy journey with their eyebrows. I have had a lot of clients who have gone through the process of cancer treatment and this was always something I was interested in.”
After undergoing an arduous selection procedure, Lindsay took part in the three day ‘life changing’ training, the first of its kind for Northern Ireland’s breast cancer community, offered by Ms Thompson in partnership with Ballysillan Community Initiative.
Said Lindsay: “The training was life-changing, it really was. For three days I was surrounded by incredibly talented artists that I learned a lot from. Just learning such specialist skills, knowing the confidence it is going to give women who have had trauma in that area is humbling.
“I learned so much from Lucy and experienced such joy treating these amazing ladies post mastectomy, to see them looking in the mirror at that area with love again – there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It was amazing.”
As part of her advanced areola training, Lindsay will be seeking breast cancer survivors who wish to receive free 3D nipple tattoos to complete her practical casework.
This is a vital part of the training process, ensuring she will gain hands on experience while offering survivors the opportunity to regain their confidence and bodies after cancer.
Said Lindsay: “I would be keen to find three ladies, who are a year post surgery. Even if they are flat (and have not had reconstructive surgery) and would like a nipple, I can work with that. It is for ladies who want to reclaim that area of their body and give them their confidence back.”
Lucy praised everyone involved in the training saying: “This partnership is about restoring dignity, confidence and a sense of wholeness to people after cancer.
“Thanks to Ballysillan Community Initiative’s support we are now able to build a skilled local team who can offer this life-changing service for free and give survivors the choice of beautifully realistic, long lasting Areola tattoos.”
For the past seven years, The Nipple Innovation Project has been the UK’s first mastectomy tattoo charity, offering free, hyper-realistic nipple tattoos as a compassionate and empowering alternative to the basic, semi-permanent options often available in clinical settings.
After partnering with NHS Bradford in 2023 they have seen a huge increase in demand for their services and this training initiative was the charity’s first formal expansion into Northern Ireland.
For further information about realistic 3D areola tattooing please email Lindsay Workman on: lindsay@luxedayspa.co.uk or telephone: 02891 852112.
