Ashley Hernandez, the owner of Monterey Med Ink, specializes in creating 3D areola tattoos for breast cancer survivors. Her personal connection to this work runs deep, as her mother battled breast cancer twice before passing away in July of last year. “I’ve always been fond of tattoos and have witnessed the struggles women face during their treatments,” Hernandez shared. “I’ve seen firsthand how strong they must be during that time, so if I can do anything to help them feel whole again, it’s by creating a 3D areola tattoo.”
Hernandez collaborates with her patients to select ink colors that match their skin tones, along with deciding on the size and placement of the tattoo.
“Some patients get very emotional, shedding a tear or two, but they are overwhelmingly happy,” she noted. “This tattoo marks the final step in their healing process, allowing them to finally put that experience behind them. While it can be traumatizing, this helps them move forward.”
One of Hernandez’s patients, Megan Reis-Orque, discovered her breast cancer in 2017 after performing a self-examination at home. “I found it myself, went and got it checked out, and it was positive,” Reis-Orque recounted.
She expressed how receiving the tattoo has helped her regain her sense of self. “I felt super uncomfortable in my own skin and had almost forgotten what I looked like. But after reconstruction, I truly felt empowered and realized that breast cancer wasn’t going to take my appearance away from me,” she explained.
Reis-Orque also emphasized the importance of self-examinations. “Please, please do self-checks. If you notice any bumps or changes, don’t hesitate to get it checked out, even if it’s just a skin marking that looks funny,” she urged. “It can save your life.”
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