Page 112 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2024

HEALTHY LIVING
The Gift of
Paramedical Tattoo Artist Helps Breast Cancer Patients Feel Whole Again
story by Cherie Ward photos courtesy of Jenni Huynh
Jenni Huynh’s work as a paramedical tattoo artist is not necessarily something the naked eye will catch, but it’s changing the lives of breast cancer survivors one tattoo at a time.
As the owner of Sanctified Med Ink in Biloxi, Huynh specializes in 3D areola and nipple restorative medical tattooing for women who have undergone a mastectomy. The breast removal procedure can make a cancer patient feel like their battle is unfinished.
“My patients tell me it’s closure for them,” she said. “Their look is complete again. Their womanhood is returned.”
Because tattoos of any kind are widely considered cosmetic, the work typically isn’t covered by medical insurance, therefore Huynh’s steady hands and expert skills with 3D areola and nipple restoration are free of charge for women who have just endured the fight of their lives.
“They no longer see the scars,” she said. “It’s just the absolute best feeling in the world to be able to do that for them.”
Paramedical tattooing is a relatively new enterprise and also features flesh-toned pigments that blend and camouflage imperfections, scars, and discolorations. Huynh’s fees for concealing or rejuvenating stretch marks, cesarian scars, and other types of blemishes are based on each case.
“I don’t charge per session,” she explained. “I charge by the project depending on the skin tone, the size of the area, and how many times there has been a cut. Some people might need 10 sessions. Others might only need five. Either way, I’m there for you.”
She began her career as a cosmetologist and still does eyelash extensions and tinting at her studio, but always knew her calling was to help people. She’s inspired daily by her childhood in Vietnam.
She and her mother journeyed to the United States when she was six, but life before that was a struggle. They could rarely afford fish, meat, or fruit but on her birthday, Huynh’s mom would borrow an egg from a neighbor.
“She would then break the fresh egg over hot steamed rice, add soy sauce, and that was the best meal I can remember to this day,” Huynh said.
She told her grandmother she would marry an American one day. When asked inquiring questions, Huynh said with the words of a child, “So he can feed me.” And now, Huynh sends money monthly to her grandmother so she can live in comfort.
Jenni Huynh.
Examples of restorative nipple tattooing.
Scar lightening before treatment.
Scar lightening after treatment.
112 | December 2024
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