Why are so many people getting therapeutic tattoos?
As humans, we have the power to make the world around us meaningful. Nowhere is this truer than tattooing. This is because, despite the potentially arbitrary nature of inserting ink into the skin, humans have given it immense meaning across its roughly 5,000+ years of existence. The reasons for getting a tattoo have changed over time. A very recent example of this is the creation of therapeutic tattoos: tattoos that are received for psychological purposes, to improve one's body-image, sense of identity, etc.
Therapeutic tattoos are particularly common among cancer-survivors. These individuals often go through several body-changing treatments such as chemotherapy, causing port-scarring, or amputations, causing missing body-parts. However, while some survivors take pride in the bodily marks of their survivorship, others may feel unattractive, constantly reminded of their cancer, and unable to navigate their identity post-treatment.
From TEDxChicago, tattoo artist David Allen on how a post-mastectomy tattoo can help someone heal
For these reasons, many cancer-survivors decide to receive therapeutic tattoos, as they allow these individuals to carve out a new interpretation of their changed bodies, putting them back in control of their own story. Such tattoos can take many forms, and can be categorised as Medical (tattoo performed on scarred skin) or non-medical (tattoo performed on non-scarred skin), and decorative (tattoo design creates a new symbol) or reconstructive (tattoo design recreates a part of the body which has been lost).
Below are the stories of two breast cancer survivors, which showcase the impact therapeutic tattoos can have.
Lisa's story
"I didn't want a tattooed nipple, they never meant that much to me when I had two, I wanted something to symbolise what had happened to my boob.
When I was told I had breast cancer, I said to the surgeon, "just take it out and get rid of it", my mom had had breast cancer 10 years before, so I knew the process.
My zip tattoo came about as when I looked in the mirror, they had actually cut open my boob, gotten rid of it, and sewn my skin shut again.
I wanted the zip to be slightly open to have butterflies (my moms favourite) coming out of it, representing me, my mum and my dad as we all had cancer that year.
Unfortunately, my parents both passed away the year I got the tattoo, so it represents more than just my cancer now.
After getting my tattoo, it was easier to look in the mirror, I was so proud of it and what it represented. It wasn't just a lump with silicone in it, it was still part of me and my journey through this life.
I show anyone who asks, and you can see the butterflies when wearing a strappy top. I'm someone that will explain how I found my cancer, show them my reconstruction and tattoo, and try to get people to understand that it's not always the end of the world, most people do survive and live a normal life if you have a positive outlook."
The drawing process for decorative therapeutic tattoos provided by Stacie Becker from Empower Tattoo
Lourdes' story
"When I first learned I would need a mastectomy, there were so many unknowns—how I'd feel, what I'd look like, how I'd explain everything to my daughter. But one thing I knew for sure from the start: I wanted a nipple tattoo.
That might seem like an unusual thing to focus on while facing a stage III cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, and major surgery. But when you lose control over so much—your body, your hair, your future—you begin to hold onto anything you can still plan. And I wanted to feel as normal as I could, as soon as possible.
After surgery, when I looked in the mirror, I didn't feel whole. It wasn't about vanity—it was about identity. There's a deep kind of grief in losing a part of yourself that's always been there. Without a nipple, I didn't feel complete.
That feeling quietly turned into insecurity. I smiled and celebrated being cancer-free—but whenever I looked down, it reminded me of what was taken.
That's when I started looking into nipple tattoos. I didn't want anything symbolic or artistic—I wanted to get something that looked real. I wanted to feel like myself again.
When I saw the final result, I couldn't believe it. I smiled in a way I hadn't in months.. The tattoo looked so real.
The tattoo didn't erase the pain of chemo, the trauma of surgery, or the fear of losing my hair. But it gave me back my confidence, I felt like me again. And in a journey filled with loss, that little piece of restoration meant the world
Therapeutic tattooing isn't just about aesthetics. For many of us, it's part of healing. It's not just art—it's restoration. It's compassion. And it's a reminder that even after the medical part of recovery ends, the emotional and spiritual healing continues.
I'm still figuring out what life after cancer looks like. Most days I feel strong. Some days I feel delicate. But now, when I look in the mirror, I don't see a scar or a loss. I see myself—whole, alive, and healing."
Importantly, these tattoos for cancer-survivors are not as uncommon as you may think, being performed on men and women in hospitals and tattoo studios on the island of Ireland and abroad, in part thanks to the work of non-profit organisations such as the Nipple Innovation Project and Tittoo.org.
However, we have only scratched the surface in terms of understanding their potential applications, which may include self-harm scar tattoos and gender-affirming tattoos. With further research, we may be able to fully unlock the meaning-making ability of therapeutic tattoos.
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RTÉ News
4 days ago
- RTÉ News
Why are so many people getting therapeutic tattoos?
Analysis: many cancer survivors get therapeutic tattoos to allow them to carve out a new interpretation of their changed bodies As humans, we have the power to make the world around us meaningful. Nowhere is this truer than tattooing. This is because, despite the potentially arbitrary nature of inserting ink into the skin, humans have given it immense meaning across its roughly 5,000+ years of existence. The reasons for getting a tattoo have changed over time. A very recent example of this is the creation of therapeutic tattoos: tattoos that are received for psychological purposes, to improve one's body-image, sense of identity, etc. Therapeutic tattoos are particularly common among cancer-survivors. These individuals often go through several body-changing treatments such as chemotherapy, causing port-scarring, or amputations, causing missing body-parts. However, while some survivors take pride in the bodily marks of their survivorship, others may feel unattractive, constantly reminded of their cancer, and unable to navigate their identity post-treatment. From TEDxChicago, tattoo artist David Allen on how a post-mastectomy tattoo can help someone heal For these reasons, many cancer-survivors decide to receive therapeutic tattoos, as they allow these individuals to carve out a new interpretation of their changed bodies, putting them back in control of their own story. Such tattoos can take many forms, and can be categorised as Medical (tattoo performed on scarred skin) or non-medical (tattoo performed on non-scarred skin), and decorative (tattoo design creates a new symbol) or reconstructive (tattoo design recreates a part of the body which has been lost). Below are the stories of two breast cancer survivors, which showcase the impact therapeutic tattoos can have. Lisa's story "I didn't want a tattooed nipple, they never meant that much to me when I had two, I wanted something to symbolise what had happened to my boob. When I was told I had breast cancer, I said to the surgeon, "just take it out and get rid of it", my mom had had breast cancer 10 years before, so I knew the process. My zip tattoo came about as when I looked in the mirror, they had actually cut open my boob, gotten rid of it, and sewn my skin shut again. I wanted the zip to be slightly open to have butterflies (my moms favourite) coming out of it, representing me, my mum and my dad as we all had cancer that year. Unfortunately, my parents both passed away the year I got the tattoo, so it represents more than just my cancer now. After getting my tattoo, it was easier to look in the mirror, I was so proud of it and what it represented. It wasn't just a lump with silicone in it, it was still part of me and my journey through this life. I show anyone who asks, and you can see the butterflies when wearing a strappy top. I'm someone that will explain how I found my cancer, show them my reconstruction and tattoo, and try to get people to understand that it's not always the end of the world, most people do survive and live a normal life if you have a positive outlook." The drawing process for decorative therapeutic tattoos provided by Stacie Becker from Empower Tattoo Lourdes' story "When I first learned I would need a mastectomy, there were so many unknowns—how I'd feel, what I'd look like, how I'd explain everything to my daughter. But one thing I knew for sure from the start: I wanted a nipple tattoo. That might seem like an unusual thing to focus on while facing a stage III cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, and major surgery. But when you lose control over so much—your body, your hair, your future—you begin to hold onto anything you can still plan. And I wanted to feel as normal as I could, as soon as possible. After surgery, when I looked in the mirror, I didn't feel whole. It wasn't about vanity—it was about identity. There's a deep kind of grief in losing a part of yourself that's always been there. Without a nipple, I didn't feel complete. That feeling quietly turned into insecurity. I smiled and celebrated being cancer-free—but whenever I looked down, it reminded me of what was taken. That's when I started looking into nipple tattoos. I didn't want anything symbolic or artistic—I wanted to get something that looked real. I wanted to feel like myself again. When I saw the final result, I couldn't believe it. I smiled in a way I hadn't in months.. The tattoo looked so real. The tattoo didn't erase the pain of chemo, the trauma of surgery, or the fear of losing my hair. But it gave me back my confidence, I felt like me again. And in a journey filled with loss, that little piece of restoration meant the world Therapeutic tattooing isn't just about aesthetics. For many of us, it's part of healing. It's not just art—it's restoration. It's compassion. And it's a reminder that even after the medical part of recovery ends, the emotional and spiritual healing continues. I'm still figuring out what life after cancer looks like. Most days I feel strong. Some days I feel delicate. But now, when I look in the mirror, I don't see a scar or a loss. I see myself—whole, alive, and healing." Importantly, these tattoos for cancer-survivors are not as uncommon as you may think, being performed on men and women in hospitals and tattoo studios on the island of Ireland and abroad, in part thanks to the work of non-profit organisations such as the Nipple Innovation Project and However, we have only scratched the surface in terms of understanding their potential applications, which may include self-harm scar tattoos and gender-affirming tattoos. With further research, we may be able to fully unlock the meaning-making ability of therapeutic tattoos.
Sunday World
21-07-2025
- Sunday World
Country star Nathan Carter rallies behind Lisa McHugh after brain disorder diagnosis
CART OF GOLD | Nathan also said he is in constant contact with Lisa and she is remaining positive about the condition going forward Nathan also said he is in constant contact with Lisa and she is remaining positive about the condition going forward. The mum-of-two is battling functional neurological disorder (FND), which affects how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body. Posting on Instagram this week, Lisa (36), who has a three-and-a-half year old son, Milo, and one-year-old daughter Hallie, said she underwent CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, blood tests, lumbar punctures and 'every kind of test you could imagine,' before being ultimately diagnosed with FND. She posted: 'FND is a condition that affects the way the brain and nervous system work. Singer Lisa McHugh posted on Instagram about being diagnosed with FND 'It leads to neurological symptoms such as limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, sensory issues, cognitive problems and more. 'The specific cause is unknown, but one of the main triggers is stress, trauma and anxiety. 'While there is no cure, it is treatable providing you adapt your life as much as possible to manage it. 'I guess the stress and trauma of this year and everything we've been through has finally caught up with me and my body and it's now decided to make me physically stop, process and heal properly.' Posting photos in her hospital bed and on a walking aid in the ward, Lisa added: 'So that's the plan. As you can see, I've a good bit to go on the healing front, going from walking in to hospital with a very bad headache, severe facial pain, to losing function in both legs and then trying to walk again using a Zimmer frame. 'It's quite a lot to wrap your head around. So I need to drastically adapt things in my life to reduce the severity of symptoms. 'But rest assured, I will be cared for like a queen until I recover.' Lisa paid tribute to the care she received at South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen where she lives. She added: 'With all of that said, I'm going to sign off and take time out from everything for a while to concentrate on recovering fully. 'I'll soak up this time with my beautiful family and be grateful for every day, sending you all lots of love. I'll be back soon L xx.' Lisa, who married her husband, Nathan Khan, in 2022, recently told the Sunday World how the couple had 'a rough seven to eight months with Hallie, who has a lot of allergies and it was incredibly traumatic for the entire family. We're still trying to process what happened and everything she went through.' Yesterday, her long-time friend Nathan Carter said he has been in regular contact with Lisa since her shock diagnosis. 'I've been chatting to her every other day to see how she's doing,' he said. 'She's home now, but her balance and the movement in her legs is very, very limited, so she's on crutches trying to get about the house. 'But she seems very positive now. Since she got diagnosed she heard of other people that had this, other mums in the same situation. It's something that, unfortunately, she's got to live with, but hopefully it's manageable going forward.' Nathan also told how he received numerous calls from other Irish country singers asking about Lisa's diagnosis. 'Everyone was shocked to hear the news from Lisa, so she's in everyone's thoughts,' Nathan said. 'They want to know how she is doing and, of course, everyone is wishing her the best in her recovery.' Nathan Carter and Lisa McHugh Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 20th
The Irish Sun
17-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
The signs of ‘incurable' neurological disorder you might mistake for tiredness after Lisa McHugh reveals shock diagnosis
IRISH country singer Lisa McHugh has revealed she has been diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder - a complex condition that affects how the brain and body communicate. The star's shock diagnosis came after she was hospitalised for weeks with extreme pain, vision issues and the sudden loss of movement in both legs. 2 Lisa revealed she's been diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder Credit: Getty 2 And it comes with a range of symptoms you may not be aware of Credit: Getty Images - Getty Lisa says her body 'physically stopped' as a response to prolonged stress and exhaustion, and she's now focused on learning to walk again while managing her symptoms day to day. Her story has put a spotlight on a condition that many people have never heard of and may mistake for tiredness - but it's far more common than most realise. According to the These are known as medically unexplained symptoms, and while tests may show no obvious illness, the symptoms are still very real and can deeply affect a person's life. READ MORE IN HEALTH The 'Your symptoms may last more than a few weeks and doctors cannot find the cause. "This is sometimes called 'medically unexplained symptoms'." In some cases, unexplained symptoms are linked to Functional Neurological Disorder, which the HSE explains is caused by problems in how the nervous system functions Most read in Health According to the HSE, common signs include: The major symptoms of 'common cancer' as HSE say 'know the signs' tingling or numbness in the hands or feet tremors or shaking in the arms blurry vision or seeing flashing lights severe headaches or migraines muscle weakness or paralysis in parts of the body problems with coordination or walking speech issues blackouts or non-epileptic seizures fatigue trouble concentrating The list of symptoms can affect almost every part of the body, change over time and may not always match patterns doctors are used to seeing. And the HSE estimates that these types of symptoms account for up to 45 percent of all You're more likely to be affected if you're a woman, under 40, recently went through illness or bereavement or have a history of anxiety or depression. HOW YOUR GP CAN HELP Some people find that these physical symptoms are tied up with poorly understood conditions like IBS or fibromyalgia, which are also hard to diagnose and treat. The HSE is now encouraging people to tell their GP their symptoms and you may be offered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or referred to a neurologist or psychotherapist. Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed even if you're not There are also steps you can take yourself to feel better and manage symptoms in daily life. SELF-HELP Regular Health bosses also said that managing stress is key, because conditions such as FND, IBS and fibromyalgia often flare up when stress levels are high. And they revealed that simple things like walking, journaling, meditation or taking time out each day for yourself can make a real difference in dealing with your symptoms. The HSE added: "You can do things to improve some physical symptoms, such as doing regular exercise and managing stress. "Planning some personal time to unwind can help. "Do activities that help you relax, such as running, meditation or walking."
