At the beginning of October, the association “Les Seintillantes” is doubling its efforts and presence. The fight against breast cancer does not only take place during this pink month but throughout the year for this association. Nevertheless, during this “October Pink“, the actions aimed at raising public awareness on this topic increase significantly.
Created in last May, the young association is gradually making its way within the multitude of others engaged in the same cause. Forums, events, charity runs, social networks… Les Seintillantes is active on all fronts. The goal: “to give back to women who have gone through breast cancer, but also to anyone who has experienced a life accident โ men or non-binary people โ the opportunity to feel complete again, thanks to a trompe-l’ลil tattoo realistically recreating the areola and nipple.” The very essence of this association is based on restorative dermopigmentation. Oriane Garcia, a nurse at the Arnaud Tzanck Institute in Saint-Laurent-du-Var and practitioner in her spare time, is one of the forty women trained by the founder of Les Seintillantes, Audrey Rojo.
Audrey Rojo, a specialist in paramedical tattooing for 15 years, is a recognized professional in restorative dermopigmentation, trainer, self-taught, and a versatile artist (drawing, art, singing). She discovered this profession somewhat by chance. In 2013, a client told her about what she had been through and asked for a restorative dermopigmentation. Knowing nothing about this practice, Audrey decided to try the experience, without much assurance, and even admits “she believed in me more than I did myself.” Today, she leads this association and has trained a hundred people. A long training of nine months, which Oriane was able to benefit from, aimed at “recreating what the disease took away.” Although demanding and costly (around eight thousand euros), this training is necessary for acquiring comprehensive knowledge and essential skills to face such an important challenge.
What exactly is restorative dermopigmentation?
A year after their mastectomy, once the healed scars are well closed, women can have the mammary areola recreated that was removed or damaged during surgeries, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. It is a repairing tattoo using specific pigments, tailored to achieve a shade close to natural. However, Oriane warns her patients about the final results: “we have an imperfectly perfect result, but I insist: if it were perfect, it would not be natural and realistic.“
An initial appointment at the office is essential. It allows for a diagnosis of the tissue in the area to be treated, selecting pigments, defining the placement… But this meeting is especially crucial for Oriane, as it enables her to better understand her patient’s needs and “to establish a frame of trust because women expose themselves both figuratively and literally.” During the second appointment, Oriane sets to work on creating this “new mammary areola,” a procedure lasting approximately two hours. If a third session proves necessary, particularly in cases of pigment rejection, it is offered. For this type of service, one should count around 500 euros, a price that may vary depending on needs. A significant amount, certainly, but one that reflects months of training and substantial personal investment.
The nurse does not limit herself to restorative dermopigmentation. She also performs “tattoos” to cover surgical scars, acne scars, or stretch marks, whether due to pregnancy or weight loss. A wide audience is concerned by these practices, even though restorative dermopigmentation remains too little known among patients who have undergone a mastectomy.
As a reminder, mammograms are performed starting at 40 years old, but Oriane insists: “you are never too young. Even from 25-30 years old, it is necessary to self-examine the breasts. The goal is to identify the presence of a lump in our chest or not.” Les Seintillantes are present throughout France, both in mainland and overseas. Their website lists the collective, professionals, and partner practitioners. They will soon represent the association during the Pinktober, on October 4 and 5, 2025, at the Diagora Exhibition Hall in Labรจge, in Toulouse.
