How do I book a Consultation?
At NMR Tattoo, we strive to provide transparent and comprehensive policies to ensure a smooth and satisfactory experience for our clients. Consultations can be accessed in the “Book Appointment” menu. We off in-person and virtual (ZOOM) consults.
The consultation fee is $50, payable at the time of scheduling your consultation appointment. This fee covers the time and expertise of our tattoo artist during the consultation.
Should you decide to proceed with the tattoo after the consultation, the $50 consultation fee will be applied towards your tattoo deposit. The tattoo deposit is a commitment to secure your appointment for the tattoo session. A consultation does not guarantee tattoo approval.Deposits are applied to rescheduled appointments.
Depending on the scars healing progress, tattoos may be put on hold until the condition of the scars improves. Follow-up appointments will be required and free of charge to evaluate the scars progress.
The consultation fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether you choose to proceed with the tattoo or not. This policy is in place to minimize "no-shows" and to compensate our artists for their time and expertise during the consultation.
What should I expect during a consultation?
Consultations are 45 minutes for new clients.
Video consults are available, make sure to choose “Virtual” appointments when booking a consult. A zoom link will be attached in your confirmation email. Should you decide to proceed with the tattoo after the consultation, the $50 consultation fee will be applied towards your tattoo deposit. The tattoo deposit is a commitment to secure your appointment for the tattoo session.
The artist will examine the area needed for tattooing, making sure the skin/scars are safe to tattoo. Other information such as aftercare, tattoo process, your medical history and any questions you may have will be discussed.
Tattoos are not performed the same day as your consult. You must be approved to tattoo due to the complications of tattooing scars/surgical sites.
Breast Cancer Survivors:
Areola tattooing may be a covered benefit for breast reconstruction due to breast cancer.
Bring relevant medical records to your consultation.
We provide an itemized bill for insurance reimbursement; however, reimbursement is not guaranteed. Call your insurance to find out your "Out-of-Network" benefits.
Transgender Clients:
Tattoo services related to gender reassignment surgery may be covered.
We provide an itemized bill for insurance reimbursement; however, reimbursement is not guaranteed.
Have your insurance card and pertinent medical paperwork for reconstruction surgery.
Decorative/Cosmetic Tattoos:
Decorative or cosmetic purposes are not covered by insurance.
Itemized bills for reimbursement are not provided.
Body Art/Scar Coverup Tattoos:
To prevent plagiarism, Tattoo designs are NOT emailed before the appointment.
Changes to the design are done on the tattoo appointment day. You may come the week of your tattoo to review the design. Schedule a review appointment with the tattoo artist.
For more information, visit our “Book Appointment” page.
I need to reschedule/cancel my appointment, what should I do?
Our Acuity schedule system makes managing & rescheduling your appointments easy. You can change/cancel your appointment through the initial confirmation booking email.
On the bottom of the confirmation email for your appointment there is an option to “reschedule/ cancel”. It will bring you to NMR Tattoo’ calendar and you can chose another available spot or cancel.
Appointments can be rescheduled 48 hours prior to the date of your visit.
Failure to provide sufficient notice or a no-show will result in forfeiture of the consultation fee.
Please call 516-261-9278 for cancellations within 48 hours of your visit. For more information, please visit our Appointment page.
How long does it take to do the tattoos?
Depending on laterality, color correction & pain management, the appointment may take 90 minutes to 2 hours. This includes drawing the nipple design, choosing color but the tattooing should take no more than 20 minutes for each side. It varies on time frame for scar camouflage depending on size and shape.
Will there be pain?
Everyone has a different pain tolerance but most clients report the tattoo is very tolerable. It’s common for some people to have little-to-no sensation after reconstruction surgery. There usually is decreased sensation of the skin to a more or less degree, depending on the type of breast reconstruction you had. Tattooing is a superficial process and afterwards feels comparable to a minor sunburn.
Numbing creams are not used prior to tattooing. For the creams to work, it has to be left on the skin for up to an hour. Lidocaine creams distort the texture of the skin(thing wrinkled fingers in a bathtub for too long) and coloration distortion(blanching). It is already a challenge tattooing on scar tissue as it is so adding a lidocaine pre numb is creating a skin environment that will make it nearly impossible to implant skin properly.
Bactine is used during the tattooing process as a antiseptic agent and does have 4% lidocaine in the spray which does help with any discomfort.
Is it safe?
Short answer, yes… but…no procedure comes without risks such as allergic reaction to the ink or infections. We will discuss the risks at the time of your appointment.
Single-use disposable sterile needles and disposable cups for pigments are used along with strict aseptic protocols for hand washing and gloves are worn at all times. In general, tattoos are safe.
Post procedural instructions should be followed to ensure safe healing.
Pets are not permitted inside the tattoo studio as instructed by the Health Department regulations.
Can you puncture my implant with the tattoo needle?
Absolutely not! The needle is only entering the dermis layer of the skin less than 1 mm. No deeper than the thickness of a nickel.
If your skin has been thinned out from reconstruction surgery, evaluation of your skin during the consultation will be documented.
This is why it is important to find a tattoo artist who understands fundamental body art tattooing and adjusts they techniques to every body properly.
How long will it last?
This is NOT a cosmetic tattoo and will not fade after a year. This is a permanent body tattoo with additional factors to be taken into consideration.
Most of the initial fading will happen in the first two-three weeks.
Because the skin that is being tattooed has scars and is compromised, from radiation/ multiple surgeries, it is common for initial fading to occur.
Tattooing scars are unpredictable & everyone will have different results. This is why the tattoo is done in two sessions.
Touch-ups may be needed after the TWO initial sessions but is not common. Certain factors may affect the pigment retention in the skin such as past radiation treatments, smoking, diabetes, necrotic tissue and/or thicker scar tissue.
Medical tattoos need to be performed in stages. This assures preventing damage to fragile, compromised skin and achieving the most natural results while avoiding multiple touch-up sessions.
With all body tattoos, over time they will fade and lose definition. Touch-ups can be done 5-10 years or MORE from your initial tattoo if desired.
The pigments used and tattoo techniques performed is the same as body art tattooing. Tattoos exposed to the sun, more breast surgery and chemical/laser treatments around the breast area can make your tattoo fade more. USE SUNSCREEN. It’s your best defence.
Do you take health insurance?
No. Because you will be receiving your tattoos by a licensed tattoo artist and does not participate with any insurance company, they are categorized as a “out of network” provider. All tattoos are a out-of-pocket expense.
If you need assistance, visit the MTA Section to learn more about funded mastectomy tattoos.
Are the nipple tattoos covered under my health insurance?
Nipple restorative tattoos due to breast cancer surgery is a part of your entire reconstruction process thanks to the “Women’ Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) of 1998”.
Very commonly, the surgeons office may provide the tattoos in-house either performed by the surgeon themselves or another staff member. Authorization through your insurance company is processed as any other visit or procedure.
NMR Tattoo offers a Medical Biller Service that may submit claims for breast cancer and transgender clients on their behalf. This allows professional medical billers to take the burden away from the client and assuring claims are correctly filed and submitted to the proper channels. This additional service includes:
Filing and submission of claim forms to any insurance company
Copies of Itemized bill and procedure note
Includes ONE appeal submission for claims that are denied.
Follow-ups and status checks on claims submitted
(Medical Biller Service Fee $55)
Ask to learn more about the Medical Billers Service at your tattoo consultation visit.
If you chose not to use the Medical Biller Service:
A itemized bill or “SUPERBILL” are provided to all breast cancer/genetic susceptibility clients the day of your tattoo as well as receipts and note to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
Tattoos will have to be paid in full, out of pocket and is due the day of your appointment.
Because you will be receiving your tattoos by a licensed tattoo artist and is categorized as a “out of network” provider, medical information will be needed such as: diagnosis/ surgical procedures/ medical history to submit for possible reimbursement of tattoo payment.
To be prepared for your consult, bring with you:
your insurance cards
copies of any operative reports
diagnosis/ICD codes (can be retrieved by your oncology surgeons office)
Each persons plans are different. We suggest calling your insurance company in advance to find out the reimbursement benefits for “OUT-OF-NETWORK” providers.
NMR Tattoo does NOT guarantee that any payment will be given to clients from their insurance.
For the Transgender community: Medical tattooing can also be covered and possibly reimbursed for out of pocket payments that includes areola/nipple and phalloplasty tattoos. An Itemized bill can be provided to you for your tattooing services. Please bring:
insurance cards
copies of operative reports
diagnosis/ICD codes ( can be retrieved by your surgeons office)
Nipple tattoos for cosmetic reasons are NOT covered by insurance.
What should I do to prepare for my tattoo?
**FOR ALL TATTOO/SCAR SERVICES**
Avoid any sun exposure, tanning beds or tanning lotions that can change your natural skin color. If you come to your appointment with noticeable sun exposure, you will not be allowed to get tattooed. It is highly critical to observe your natural skin tone for color matching and placement. No exceptions!!
One week prior your tattoo, you should avoid the following medications and foods, as their consumption causes an increased likelihood of bleeding problems: Steroids, anti-inflammatories, aspirin, ibuprofen, or any medicines containing aspirin or ibuprofen (i.e. Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, Midol). Foods and herbal supplements containing garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Feverfew, St. John’s Wort, dong quai, all ‘blood invigorating’ Chinese herbs, pure licorice, fish oil, Glucosamine or Vitamin E (found in all multi-vitamins).
If you have any questions about a medication or supplement, please speak to your physician prior ro getting tattooed.
Nicotine must be avoided for two (2) weeks prior to the procedure and two (2) weeks after your procedure.
If you are taking any medications that have been prescribed by another physician, please review these with your physician.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior to the procedure and no blood thinning medications & procedures as well.
The day of your tattoo, shower and wash area, do not use any creams on the breast area. Wear a loose bra and top for your comfort. Make sure you eat a meal before getting tattooed. You can bring water during the tattoo session. A family member, friend or guest can also come to support you but please limit to one person due to small tattoo rooms.
Make sure to check with your doctor that it is safe for you to proceed with a tattooing procedure if you have any medical questions or concerns prior to ANY tattoo.
How do I care for my new tattoo?
A tegaderm dressing will be placed over your fresh tattoo when completed. Keep the clear dressing on for 3-5 days. Take it off in the shower and clean gently with plain soap and warm water. Apply non fragrant oitments( Aquaphor is recommended) for 7 to 10 days, applying 2-3 times a day. Do not use bacitracin, vaseline or perfume lotions. No vigorous exercise for first 24 hours as it can raise your blood pressure and cause you to swell. Avoid pools, baths, jacuzzis, oceans and saunas for three to four weeks to prevent infection. No submerging of your entire body in water or extreme heat exposure.
Take over the counter medication for any discomfort. If you have a history of cellulitis, please take antibiotic tablets as necessary. The second session will be scheduled 8-10 weeks to ensure the skin is healed, safe to re-tattoo and do color boosting/ add final details in the tattoo.
Do not peel or scratch off any flaking skin in tattooed area. No vigorous exercise for first 24 hours as it may cause swelling. (i.e., gym)
** If you have any concerns about the tattooing while healing, please contact by phone or by email. If you experience frequent or unusual bleeding or discomfort please contact your referring physician.