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How mastectomy tattoos can help the healing process
The road of recovery from breast cancer is a tough one, but mastectomy tattoos can help women regain their confidence and move forward.
Cancer is responsible for 10 million deaths each year around the world, with New Zealand second only behind Australia for new cases.
It’s New Zealand’s biggest killer, responsible for around 1-in-3 recorded deaths in the country. Breast cancer is the third most common cancer in Aotearoa, taking the lives of around 600 women each year.
The good new is, breast cancer has one of the highest survival rates among cancers, with an with average 5-year survival rate for women with invasive breast cancer at 90%.
That doesn’t mean survivors come through unscarred.
Mastectomy tattoos
For many women, the only option is breast removal. A mastectomy or double mastectomy can leave emotional as well as physical scars, but many survivors are turning to tattoo artists to help.
For some women, getting a mastectomy tattoo gives them the chance to create something beautiful, reclaim their bodies, and can help them move forward after the physical and emotional trauma of breast cancer.
Many mastectomy tattoos feature feminine designs that follow the contour of the breast, but there are endless design options.
They can be large or small, and feature anything the client wants. Many women create their own designs and find something special to them.
Tattoo artists who specialize in mastectomy tattoos are able to sketch the survivor’s ideas and help design a flattering tattoo that fits their vision and body shape.
Feather Tattoo and traditional tattoo by Shane Wallin
The curvature of this tattoo gives the illusion of volume and depth, even though the chest is flat.
This tattoo has a traditional look with outlined waves, a sunset, and tropical flowers. The inspirational quote is a nice touch.
Colourful Flowers and Butterflies Tattoo
Colorful, vibrant, and feminine, this tattoo features pink flowers and various butterflies.
Check out Samantha Rae's work on instagram: @samrtattoo
New Year! New You! New Tattoo!
As we say goodbye to not only another year, but another decade, we think now is a good time to add to our collections with a beautiful new tattoo, don't you?
So how was your year?
Actually, never mind that, how was your decade?
We’re sure there were highs and lows, and for those of us who collect tattoos, those stories, good or bad, can be added to our collections.
If you’re in New Zealand, then there’s nowhere better to get a tattoo than right here at Sunset studio.
Based in the heart of Auckland City, Sunset has a reputation of excellence, honesty and skill, with a long line of satisfied customers behind us.
Our amazing artists specialise in traditional, blackwork, Maori tribalism, and Japanese tattooing. Our focus is on providing customers with the best possible service in a warm, private, sterile environment.
One of the safest and most respected tattoo studios in Auckland
Sunset tattoo studio is a clean, sterile, private and fun environment, which adheres to the strictest health standards.
We always keep our tattoo accessories in the most sterile condition. Before we start working on your tattoo, our tattoo artist will disinfect and shave the area where you want your new ink.
We do this with disposable razors that we only use once. We will also show you the sealed tattoo needle and open the pouch in front of you.
After we’re finished with your tattoo, we’ll throw the needle out. Each needle is only used once, and you can see this for yourself, putting your mind at rest.
It is likely that your skin will bleed a little when getting a tattoo. That’s why all our tattoo artists are wearing gloves throughout the entire tattooing process. It’s safer for you and for them. You could walk into a hospital and not notice the difference. That’s how clean and hygienic our tattoo studio is!
For a safe, and friendly tattoo experience, visit our Auckland tattoo studio today, or contact us via phone: +64 (9) 376-3423 or drop us an email on: info@sunsettattoo.co.nz
Merry Christmas from everyone at Sunset Studio!
We had a great year here at Sunset and we hope you did too. Thank you for all your support and bring on 2020!
Everyone here at Sunset would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to all our clients, staff and supporters and a big thank you for making our 2019 our best year yet!
Sunset goes from strength to strength!
2019 once again saw the Great Auckland Flash Party, only this time, it was our last one. Hundreds of people came down over two days of madness in April to check out the party, with dozens of people leaving with new ink. A big thank you to everyone who joined in!
In June we held another Flash event, this time for a great cause. Still Not Asking For It is a global flash event and fundraiser, born in 2015 to raise awareness and visibility for sexual abuse and assault victims. All money we raised on the day went to the Women’s Refuge here in Auckland, so thank you again for your support.
We had new members of the Sunset Family this year with Horiyama and Fern Ngatai taking up apprenticeships in the studio, and literally a new member of the family is on the way with Magali off on maternity leave.
Our sister site, Tattoo Station is still growing strong, and we are now one of New Zealand’s premier tattoo supply companies. We’re still aiming to bring the very best tattoo supplies to New Zealand but at a reasonable price, and we’ve exceeded even our highest expectations.
November saw us once again heading to Australasia’s biggest tattoo festival, the NZ Tattoo & Art Festival 2019, now in its 9th year. With over 300 artists from all over the world attending, as usual, it was a weekend we’ll never forget!
Merry Christmas everyone!
If you’re wondering what to get someone for Christmas, we’ve got good news. Our merch shop is still open, so you’re spoilt for choice for things to buy!
We’ve got some really sweet prints for you to frame, or unique shirts and hoodies to wear and let everyone know you’re cooler than they are. If you’re not sure what to get someone else, then grab a Sunset Gift Certificate, redeemable on the merchandise or on a tattoo
So thanks again to everyone who helped make our 2019 so amazing. Roll on 2020 and even more success!
Ten of the Best: 3d tattoos
Check out ten of the Best tattoo we found on the internet, all with incredible 3D perspectives!
Tattoos mean many different things to different people.
Some are heartfelt reminders of loved ones no longer with us.
Others are spur-of-the-moment decisions that are immediately regretted.
Some though, are genuine works of art, and these 3D tattoos fall into that category.
Wonderful geometric 3D shoulder piece
Cute 3D butterfly
Surreal chest tattoo
Mind-bending pattern
Famous 3d leg piece
To infinity… and beyond!
Not for the faint hearted
3D Zipper Tattoo
Honeycomb hive
Can I borrow your pen?
Another successful NZ Tattoo & Art Festival!
The 9th New Zealand Tattoo & Art Festival was held in New Plymouth again this year and it was bigger and better than ever!
Well we’re back from New Plymouth, and what a weekend it was!
An amazing 7000 people passed through the doors of the TSB Stadium this year, the festival’s biggest ever crowd.
Organiser Brent Taylor said it was more than last year due to the weather reaching a scorching 23 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 21 degrees on Sunday.
Hundreds of artists from around the world travelled to the festival, which in turn saw many visitors from overseas travelling for to get a tattoo from their favourite artist.
A traditional Kiwi welcome
The festival kicked off on Friday night with a powhiri, which for some of our foreign guests was the highlight of the weekend.
Tick (Black Rat Tattoo in New Mexico) has been tattooing for 20 years and it was her second time at the festival. "I think it's really well done. I love the two days open to the public part and then the meet and greet on Friday and getting to see the haka is amazing.”
Tick, who has tattooed at festivals around the world, said New Plymouth felt like a small community but with a lot to offer.
"I think New Zealand is really cool and New Plymouth is awesome, we hiked on Mt Taranaki while we have been here."
For French tattoo artist Ccyle this was the fourth year the now Barcelona-based artist has come to the festival and it is her favorite of all the tattoo events she attends worldwide. "It's a great pleasure and honour to come to the convention, it is so well organised and a great atmosphere between the designers,and the people of New Plymouth are so friendly," she said.
A weekend of family fun
The festival isn’t just for people to get tattoos. Many people go just to see the incredible artwork on display, or join in with the festivities.
Despite having over 300 artists on site, there was food, shopping, live music, BMX and motocross shows. The main stage saw New Zealand rockers Bleeders, Delete All, and DeadBeat entertain the crowd, while Nitro Circus' Levi Sherwood wowed the audience on the motocross track.
And of Sunset Studio were there for all of it as usual.
If we seen you there, thanks for coming, and if not, we’ll be back again next year!
