"My clients often ask me why I decided to get into reconstructive tattooing and why areola tattooing in particular. The answer isn't as simple as it would seem. 

 

Yes, my mother has breast cancer. She wasn't a candidate for mastectomy. I truly wish she had been as that often is a very effective treatment, but unfortunately when we discovered the cancer it was already stage four. Her battle solidified my choice to get into this field, to be sure. She is definitely a role model for me in many ways and has been a constant inspiration for me in terms of how to treat others and the importance of helping people in general and I am forever grateful for her lessons and guidance.

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To be honest, though, the decision to work with scar tissue goes back to my own struggle to find an artist that would tattoo a self-harm, third-degree burn scar I had. Many artists that I had spoken to at the time were unwilling to work with scar tissue, citing various reasons. While I did eventually find a talented artist in New Orleans who did an amazing job, I realized there was a gap to be filled, though my journey to becoming an artist wouldn't start until much later.

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 My wife and business partner, Saga Wilkko, had already begun her career as a tattoo artist when I heard a story on NPR's 'All Things Considered' about a cancer survivor getting an artistic tattoo after having a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. The story had mentioned anatomical tattooing as an option as well which was something I had not previously been aware of. It was her story of how she felt after the tattoo that made me want to finally pick up a machine and start helping others achieve the same sense of peace with themselves, a degree of closure, and a feeling of completeness. 

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It took a lot of work getting to where I am now, but the first thing I did when I completed my areola micropigmentation course was to tattoo an areola on myself. 

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I couldn't in good conscience offer to cancer survivors something I'm not proud to wear myself."

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-Aadam Morgan, Co-founder of

Valkyrie Tattoo Gallery and

Midgard Tattoo Company

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