When women with breast cancer undergo a mastectomy, many are often left worried about the future of their bodies.

Even after reconstructive surgery, the journey for most is still not complete.

Howick-based permanent make-up paramedical artist Jill Mitchell is helping cancer survivors regain their sense of confidence and normality by creating 3D nipple and areola tattoos using microneedling to help reduce the appearance of postoperative scarring.

She said that permanent make-up also offers a wonderful solution for women who, due to chemotherapy, have lost their eyelashes and eyebrows.

Mitchell, who owns Esther’s Clozet — Beauty Within salon in Howick, is also a qualified bio sculpture nail technician.

She said the urge to want to help breast cancer survivors came to her in 2020 during lockdown after she watched “the most wonderful” documentary on how permanent make-up has found a new purpose in paramedical solutions.

I was so moved emotionally that I embarked on the journey to complete my permanent makeup training to help restore self-confidence in women especially after chemotherapy has stripped away the lashes and brows.

Asked why she wanted to do areola artistry, Mitchell said she felt that the topic of what breast cancer looks like is not discussed or seen.

“The truth is that after augmentation the breasts look much like a prosthetic with no nipple or areola. Putting back the nipple and areola is for me the final step to healing and restoration.”

She completed her paramedical artistry in 3D areola pigmentation in March 2022. Before undergoing the procedure to create the look of areola and nipples, Mitchell explained that it is important to ensure that the augmentation or reconstruction surgery has healed completely.

She explained that areola pigmentation requires a minimum of two appointments.

Each appointment is three hours long and combined the two procedures cost R5 500. Additional appointments are charged accordingly.

She said she uses paramedical numbing cream and gel to ensure a pain-free procedure. Before the procedure, Mitchell said, she needs approval from the surgeon as each patient’s reconstruction is unique as there are factors that may exclude someone from having areola pigmentation like the thickness of the skin after radiation.

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“Working with women who have waged war against breast cancer and are now walking the journey to restoration has been an inspirational and humbling experience,” said Mitchell.

She said the reactions she gets from her clients when they see the results of her work are what makes her fall in love with what she does.

“The reactions are very emotional and the comments I have received are of awe. A client once said, ‘I can finally look at myself in the mirror’,” said Mitchell.

Areola pigmentation artistry is a relatively new procedure and not many women are aware of the option.

Mitchell, who is the only permanent make-up paramedical artist in the Midlands, said the response she has received so far is that of excitement that there is a final step to complete restoration.

Breast cancer survivor Lydia Nel from Hilton, told Weekend Witness that after having her first 3D areola and nipple tattoo session, she feels like she finally has her breast back.

Nel said she had a mastectomy in 2019, then started the process of reconstruction last year. About four weeks ago, Nel got the go-ahead and had her first session with Mitchell.

When I looked in the mirror after the first session, I was crying. I had got so used to seeing the ugly scars and after the first session with Mitchell, I actually felt like I have another breast again

Jenny Caldwell, Reach for Recovery’s regional chairperson KZN, told Weekend Witness that the international organisation has been in South Africa 55 years, giving support and bringing hope.

Caldwell, along with the other volunteers, are all breast cancer survivors who are passionate about breast cancer awareness.

Caldwell was diagnosed in 2000, fortunately, she said it was caught early and she has lived a full and abundant life for the past 22 years, and looks forward to the next 22 years.

She said the organisation renders emotional and practical support services to those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families. She said the organisation also provided disadvantaged women who don’t have medical aid with silicone breast prosthesis following a mastectomy. She said many of these women do not own a suitable bra to hold their prosthesis and urged women to donate their ‘gently used bras’ to disadvantaged breast cancer survivors.

Here are their MStores where you can drop off your bra donations:

· 3 Monzali Drive, Hilton, Ground Floor, Suite 7, Project Health

· 22 Hopelands Road, Overport, Suite 5, Level 1, Durban

· 52 St Andrews Drive, 1 Panache House, Physio Solutions, Durban North

· 134 Mahatma Ghandi Street, Suite 1, Jay Krishna Centre, Stanger

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