In a small tattoo studio near Patines Square, Marta Coen, a tattoo artist and painter, has been using her art as an emotional healing tool for those who have faced breast cancer since 2023. She reconstructs free of charge the aesthetics of nipples and areolas for those who have undergone a mastectomy, helping them regain their confidence.
Marta Coen in her studio, near the Plaza de los Patines, 5, Cecili Metel St.. Foto: Alba Vázquez de la Torre.
Free areola reconstruction tattoos
Once a month, he devotes an entire day to this project. “I became interested in tattooing nipples and areolas a few years ago and in 2023 I started training myself. I spent several months practicing on synthetic leather until I announced this project through social networks, looking for volunteers to continue improving,” says Marta Coen.
In her daily work, the technique she uses is the fine line combined with pointillism, a more laborious but less aggressive method for the body. She explains that she prefers this method because it minimizes the impact on the skin.
Special moments in the studio
A reconstruction tattoo made by Marta Coen.
As she is tattooing people who have suffered from breast cancer, people may think that the sessions are serious and cold, but Marta assures that they are quite the opposite. “We laugh a lot,” she stresses. “Despite the emotional stories they share, she has never experienced a sad session. The overcoming stories are lived with emotion and humor, creating an atmosphere of support and joy,” explains Marta.
She firmly believes in altruism and considers that an act as significant as getting a nipple tattoo after overcoming cancer should be free of charge. “They ask me how they can pay me for the ‘gift’ I have given them and I always tell them the same thing: to do a favor, to follow the chain of favors,” she shares.
Asimismo, Marta Coen explica que ha habido personas ajenas al proyecto que han decidido colaborar de manera desinteresada. “A menudo, clientes que vienen a hacerse otros tatuajes, al conocer el proyecto, aportan algo por iniciativa propia. Pero nunca aceptaría dinero de las mujeres que buscan esta reconstrucción, porque entonces el proyecto perdería su sentido”, enfatiza.
Marta Coen also explains that there have been people outside the project who have decided to collaborate in a disinterested way. “Often, clients who come to get other tattoos, when they learn about the project, contribute something on their own initiative. But I would never accept money from women seeking this reconstruction, because then the project would lose its meaning,” she emphasizes.
Continuity of the project
This constantly evolving project has no end in sight for Marta, who says she will keep it going until the day she stops tattooing. Although she faces challenges, such as the lack of visibility on social networks due to blocks for mastectomy-related content, she finds word of mouth the best tool to share the initiative. “Mallorca is a small island and many times the most effective thing is direct contact.” Marta remains committed to this project that continues to grow, with the firm conviction that it can help many women regain their confidence.
Leave A Comment