About Rub-On Nipples®

A User Guide is inserted into all packs of Rub-On Nipples®.

 To apply your tattoo:
It is best to stand in front of a sink facing a mirror. Lean against a towel to catch the dripping water.

1. Skin should be clean, dry and free of oils, lotions or hair.
2. Cut the perimeter around the edge of the tattoo. This step is optional, but it helps when determining placement.
3. Remove the clear top sheet. Note: If you miss this step before wetting the paper backing (step 5), the tattoo will be ruined. (It will adhere to the clear sheet instead of your skin.)
4. Determine desired placement before placing the tattoo face down on the skin. Press firmly and it will adhere to your skin. (Once you have pressed the tattoo onto your skin, do not remove it and re-apply to the skin as this will mar the final result.)
5. Wet the paper backing of the tattoo with a very wet sponge or paper towel, holding it over the tattoo for about 30 seconds. Sprinkle additional water onto the towel with your fingertips.
6. Peel off the paper backing from the skin. If the tattoo is not yet ready to glide off easily, continue to hold a few seconds longer.
7. Rinse tattoo gently by patting it with water on your fingertips.

Important: Let air dry, except for lightly dabbing the drips just below the tattoos. Delay dressing for 15 minutes (the longer, the better!) so the tattoos dry before they rub against any material. A hair dryer (low setting) can speed up this process. Also, a light dusting of cornstarch powder can help set and dry the tattoos before dressing.

Note: It is best not to apply the tattoos close to bedtime. Without a couple of hours to set well, the tattoos could be smudged while sleeping.

 To remove your tattoo:
Soak the tattoo with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. Wait 10 seconds, then rub gently and repeat the process until the tattoo begins peeling off. Any residue can be removed with baby oil.

Removal tip: The removal process is easier when done immediately after bathing or showering. The wet tattoo absorbs the alcohol much quicker than when it is dry.

Quick fix for adhesive film: Lighter tattoo colors sometimes develop a shadowy film when fuzz from clothing is picked up by the adhesive. (This naturally-occurring adhesive film is usually not noticed on darker colors.) A light dusting of powder may help prevent this. If the adhesive film does occur, it can be corrected by a very light swipe with alcohol on a paper towel. Do NOT rub, as alcohol also removes the tattoo.

These Tips for Longer Wear are inserted into all packs of Rub-On Nipples®.

Rub-On Nipples® can last one to two weeks, depending on many factors including your lifestyle, activities, and even the weather. Here are some ways that you can get longer wear time from your temporary tattoos:

 Let tattoos dry before dressing.
After you first place your tattoos on the skin, they need time to dry and set, so delay dressing for at least 15 minutes. The tattoo must be totally dry before it rubs against any material or else it will smear. A robe can be lightly draped over the area while drying, but not tied whereby it will rub against the chest when you move. A dusting of powder can help set and dry the tattoos after 15 minutes. Note: It is best not to apply the tattoos close to bedtime. Without a couple of hours to set well, the tattoos could be smudged while sleeping.

 Wear a camisole with coarse fabrics.
Wearing a coarse fabric such as linen or twilled cotton will reduce their wear time. To reduce friction while wearing these types of fabric, layer a soft fabric underneath, such as camisole or light bra.

 Wear two layers while exercising.
Friction from your clothes will make the tattoo peel off. A camisole or bra may help to reduce friction during exercise.

 Avoid harsh soaps and towel dry gently without rubbing.
Harsh soaps, especially astringents and acidic solutions can reduce wearing time. Use a mild soap and wash lightly. Do not rub the tattoo with a wash cloth or towel.

 Keep the tattoos powdered in humid weather.
The tattoos may feel tacky in very humid weather, and this can reduce wear time. Use extra powder in humid weather, especially before going to bed.

 Caressing may reduce wearing time.
Enjoy and keep a spare pair on hand!

Quick Fix for Adhesive Film:

Lighter tattoo colors sometimes develop a shadowy film when fuzz from clothing is picked up by the adhesive. (This naturally-occurring adhesive film is usually not noticed on darker colors.) A light dusting of powder may help prevent this. If the adhesive film does occur, it can be corrected by a very light swipe with alcohol on a paper towel. Do NOT rub, as alcohol also removes the tattoo.

 Best Color for Your Complexion

Selecting the optimal color(s) for your complexion may take a few tries with different colors. The challenge with the color selection process is that your skin tone influences the final color appearance of the tattoo once it is placed on your body.

 Best Color for the Setting

Do you want a color that stands out during a dimly-lit romantic encounter or one that is more subtle for a doctor’s visit under glaring light? Many users prefer different colors for different settings or clothes.

Users have commented that the darker colors are best for subdued lighting situations when you want to make a strong visual impact. For example, darker colors striking under lacy lingerie in these settings.

Lighter ones are usually desired when wearing light-colored clothing. The lighter ones seem to fade away in dim light, but are more pleasing in a glaring light.

Choosing a Color to Offset Scars

Darker-colored tattoos create more of a focal point on the breast mound, which often reduces the appearance of surrounding scars. Especially in the initial healing stages when scars are more pronounced, you may want to consider colors that are darker than your scars — even if they seem stark at first.

 Judging the Appearance

Since the tattoos are most often applied in the bathroom near the sink, your first glimpse will be in a bright light. It is important not to judge the color selection in that light. Wear them a couple of days and see how they look in different settings. They tone down after the first day. It is best to keep them well-powdered to tone down the initial stark color.

The darker colors will certainly seem too stark at first in the glaring light of the bathroom mirror, but may be preferred in some of the settings described above. Also, some colors that look reddish at first will tone down after a day.

 Variety Collections Now Available

To help with the color selection process, we offer variety packs of six pairs (two pairs each of three colors). The color collection in each variety kit are:

Light Variety (Six Pairs)
2 Light Beige Barely There
2 Light Peachy Tan
2 Light Toasty Brown

Medium Variety (Six Pairs)
2 Medium Peachy Tan,
2 Medium Chestnut Brown
2 Medium Rose Tone

Dark Variety (Six Pairs)
2 Dark Caramel Brown
2 Dark Brown
2 Dark Ebony

As Founder I would like to share with you the development of our product, Rub-On Nipples®. They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Well, for me it was bare mounds during breast reconstruction that inspired me to create temporary areola tattoos.

My discovery process began after my 2009 risk-reducing mastectomy, when I began to publish a series of self-help educational web sites. Having been a medical writer for 30 years, I wanted to share the healing lessons that I had learned along the way.

My research about areola pigmentation led me to realize that temporary areola tattoos (most commonly called nipple tattoos) would be a solution for those, like me, who had long periods of reconstruction that delayed permanent areola pigmentation. Rub-On Nipples® look amazingly similar to permanent areola pigmentation.

Difficult situations inspire ingenious solutions, so I surmised that if kids can have rub-on tattoos, why can’t we?

I am grateful everyday for my journey and am so fortunate to be helping other women along theirs!

Healing hugs,
Elizabeth

Patents Granted for Temporary Areola Tattoos Used after Mastectomy

Breast Healing, a mastectomy empowerment company, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued US Patents #D666421 and #D668061 for their temporary areola tattoos used by women with bare mounds after mastectomy. The proprietary design of the nipple/areola tattoos incorporates three-dimensional (3-D) techniques to simulate permanent areola pigmentation (commonly called nipple tattoos), which is the final step that completes the breast reconstruction process.