A Macclesfield tattoo artist is on a mission to help those struggling with self-confidence.

Kadie Waszkowycz has started offering free reconstructive areola tattoos.

The 27-year-old, based at Acadia Tattoo on Roe Street, wants to help those who feel they need it following a mastectomy.

"Personally, getting tattooed made me feel more confident as a person – made me feel more me," Kadie said.

"Part of the reason for becoming a tattoo artist was so that I could help other people feel better about themselves, doing these medical tattoos feels like another step in the process of helping people.

"This is a service offered on the NHS following a mastectomy, however as it's rarely done by tattoo artists they very rarely heal well and have very little follow-up support.

There are many reasons why someone may need a mastectomy, including to treat breast cancer or as part of gender-affirming top surgery. 

Kadie has spent the last 12 months learning everything she can about medical tattooing, areola tattoos and working with scar tissue.

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While she hasn't yet tattooed anyone post-surgery, she has done test runs on the calves of some of her regular customers and is now ready to offer the service to all.

Kadie has practiced on some of her regular customers (Credit: Supplied)

Kadie said: "Having not experienced a mastectomy myself, I can't really speak on behalf of someone who has, but I can imagine for some people it could really help them.

"Of course, there is absolutely no reason why someone has to get areola tattoos done following a mastectomy, for many people just getting to have the surgery they need is enough, and that's amazing!

"But for some people, it's common to feel uncomfortable, maybe experience body dysmorphia, or no longer feel confident and like they are 'themselves', and this is hopefully what I could help to change."

She continued: "For some people having the lack of areolas is an unwanted reminder of what they've been through, something which they may privately feel very self-conscious about.

"Something we all take for granted is being able to look in the mirror and feel comfortable with what we see!

"It may seem fickle to some people, but could mean the world to those who need it most. "

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The areola tattoos are only available to those who are at least 12 months post-surgery, giving the skin enough time to fully heal and the body's immune system time to recover.

However, Kadie is happy to have a consultation with those approaching that timeline.