Frequently Asked Questions

What services do you offer?

We offer paramedical tattoo services to make you feel whole again. This includes 3D areola breast reconstruction tattoos for post-mastectomy patients, scar camouflage, and stretch mark blending!

Is medical tattooing for me?

How can I book an appointment?

Does insurance cover 3D areola tattooing after breast cancer surgery?

Do you provide free consultations?

You can book directly via the "book now" button at the top of the page, contact us online via the contact page of our website, email us at empowerinkco@gmail.com or call us at 303-578-0395.

Yes, we offer free consultations, please contact us to schedule an appointment at our Denver office.

Yes, medical tattooing if for anyone with skin! It is for people of every background, every skin tone, and every story!

At EMPOWERink, we proudly welcome people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations, and expressions. Our work is inclusive of people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, and we are a committed to providing a safe, affirming space for everyone.

My training focused on understanding the full range of skin tones across the Fitzpatrick scale. Alicia has a strong eye for color matching, and with a deep understanding of color theory, can create a custom pigment combination tailored specifically to your skin - whether it be for areolas or camouflaging a scar.

Yes, in most cases. Under a federal law called the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), insurance providers that cover mastectomies are legally required to cover all stages of breast reconstruction, which explicitly includes nipple and areola restoration.

Because we are an independent medical tattoo studio, we cannot bill insurance companies directly. However, we can help you navigate the reimbursement process.

Get a Doctor's Note: Ask your surgeon for a Letter of Medical Necessity stating that areola tattooing is a required part of your reconstruction.
Secure Prior Authorization: Submit that letter to your insurance company before booking to get their official, upfront approval for out-of-network reimbursement.
Pay & File Your Claim: Pay for your session at at the time of service. We will provide you with an itemized Superbill (medical receipt) to submit to your insurer for your direct reimbursement. Your doctor will need to confirm the appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes are utilized.

Please note, while the coverage is mandated, it is still subject to the patient's standard plan deductibles, copays, and coinsurance limits. I am more than happy to collaborate with you and your doctor to make sure you have everything you need to advocate for reimbursement.

Where are you located?

We are located in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. Come visit us at 425 S Cherry St, Suite 115, Denver, CO 80246

Does tattooing hurt?

Yes, getting a tattoo does hurt, but the discomfort is highly manageable. Most people compare the sensation to a persistent cat scratch, a sunburn, or a mild vibration. The pain level depends on the location of the tattoo, the size of the design, and your own personal pain tolerance.

Where you get tattooed makes a massive difference.

Least Painful: Areas with thicker skin, more fat, and fewer nerve endings are the easiest to handle. Good spots include the outer arms, thighs, calves, and shoulders.
Most Painful: Areas with thin skin, no fat padding, or lots of nerves/tendons hurt significantly more. The ribs, inner elbows, armpits, feet, hands, spine, and sternum are widely considered the most sensitive spots.

I have an appointment booked, how should I prepare?

To minimize the discomfort and prevent lightheadedness, make sure you properly prepare yourself before your appointment:

Eat a good meal: Having stable blood sugar keeps you from feeling dizzy or fainting.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and during the session.
Get a good night's sleep: Being well-rested drastically improves your pain tolerance.
Avoid substances: Do not drink alcohol or take blood-thinning medications (like aspirin) for 24 hours before your tattoo, as they can cause you to bleed more and make the experience less pleasant

Is tipping expected?

The short answer is, absolutely not! I have carefully established my pricing to ensure it fully covers high-quality supplies, studio maintenance, and a sustainable living wage. Because of this, tipping is never expected or required.

However, if you are thrilled with your service and still wish to leave a gratuity, please know that 100% of tips are directed toward providing pro bono treatments for individuals facing financial barriers. Your generosity will directly fund supplies needed to offer these life-changing services to those who need them most. Let me know if this is something you’d like to add at checkout

How many sessions are typically needed?

Medical tattooing is a progressive journey rather than a "one-and-done" tattoo. Because we build your results safely and gradually, the timeline depends a bit on the specific area we are treating.

For areola tattoos, it typically takes two sessions: the initial appointment and a detailing touch-up about 6 to 8 weeks later. For scar and stretch mark camouflage, as well as hair treatments, it generally takes about 3 sessions to really start seeing those incredible changes. Because everyone’s skin heals uniquely, I’ll be able to give you a much more accurate estimate of your total sessions during an in-person consultation. While we can't completely erase scars, we can achieve amazing improvement—and I have seen fantastic results with our hair treatments, too!

All tattoos do naturally soften and fade over time, so you may want to come back in for a quick color refresh every 5 to 10 years, but that is completely optional and up to you.

Be sure to keep an eye on our photo gallery as we continually update it to see some of our recent client progress photos!

Aftercare varies depending on the type of service you receive. At your appointment, we will walk you through the healing process by providing detailed step-by-step aftercare instructions including a printed copy for you to take home and answering any questions that you may have.

Lost your printed copy or want a digital version? Download a copy of aftercare instructions on our Forms page.

Do you have other questions or concerns on aftercare? Please give us a call or send an e-mail with your questions.