A tattoo artist has told how she was inspired to create hyper realistic nipple tattoos for cancer survivors after hearing about her aunt's negative experiences.
Lucy Thompson is celebrating five years of the Nipple Innovation Project - a charity offering free permanent 3D nipple, areola and mastectomy tattoos.
She learnt her craft from Canadian Stacie-Rae Weir, a leading pioneer in the skill of breast cancer tattooing.
Her empowering work helps people of all genders rediscover their new self, sexuality, and confidence after life-changing surgery.
Now, she hopes to open up her own training course for skilled tattooists looking to perfect the art of mastectomy tattoos.
The Nipple Innovation Project’s new private and welcoming base can be found in Cullingworth.
The charity’s founder said: “After seeing the negative psychological impact a poorly done nipple tattoo had on my own auntie, I couldn't understand why her and other folk were being offered 'semi permanent' nipple tattoos after going through mastectomy surgery and breast cancer treatment.
“I wanted to use my artistic skills to help empower people after going through such an arduous journey.
“I'm so proud our charity has achieved so much in the past five years and the awareness we have raised by working collectively together.”
The NHS can spend as much as £856 for bilateral semi-permanent tattoos that can fade away after as little as three months.
Lucy and her army of pen-wielding volunteers have helped hundreds of cancer survivors since 2018.
“It’s a true honour to be trusted with such an important part of their healing journey,” she said.
“It sometimes doesn’t feel real that it’s my job. It doesn’t feel like work, it’s like I’m giving people a gift. It’s just so wholesome.
“I’ve opened a studio in Cullingworth, dedicated to all types of restorative tattooing in a private setting. It’s very homely, welcoming and it’s just something I felt from doing this work this is the environment people want to come to.
“They haven’t had tattoos before. It’s nice to have a safe, inclusive place to offer.
“Cancer affects people in different ways. Some people lose their jobs. Some people become so poorly they’re unable to work. Sometimes people might not have private healthcare insurance which would cover it or be able to afford it. I don’t feel like money should be an issue.
“We’ve given hope to people that have been going through reconstructive surgeries. The people we have helped go on to do fundraisers for us.”
For more information, people can visit the charity’s website on www.nipcharity.org or contact the team at info@nipcharity.org
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