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Canadian tattoo artist transforms mastectomy scars into works of art

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Tattoo artist. (Photo: Getty Images/Gallo Images)
Tattoo artist. (Photo: Getty Images/Gallo Images)

Warning: graphic content

Meet the tattoo artist who transforms the lives of cancer survivors by covering their mastectomy scars with the most beautiful tattoos.

Samantha Rae Carniato (37), from Vancouver Island, Canada, has been a tattoo artist since 2009, but in 2014 she began specialising in transforming women’s mastectomy scars into works of art.

The incredible photographs show the intricate floral design chosen by one survivor who opted to have the poignant words “Dancing through the fire” tattooed beneath her breast.

Another stunning design shows a feather motif going across the chest, along with the words “Dance to my own rhythm”.

Mastectomy tattoo

Samantha has done more than 40 mastectomy tattoos and loves being a part of the journey to recovery and closure after everything these women have gone through.

“My first tattoo design over mastectomy scars was in October 2014. It was a filigree design with cherry blossoms cupping the side of each breast, and a soft hummingbird over her port scar on her left upper chest,” Samantha explains.

“My mastectomy journey really began with Stacie-Rae, my mentor. I came into her life just before her scheduled prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and I’ve been right beside her ever since. I did my first ever areola restorative tattoo with her in May 2015,” she adds.

Mastectomy tattoo

Samantha herself has suffered loss because of cancer. She uses this as inspiration and motivation to help survivors express their journey in any way they wish.

“Tattoos present a new start, closure and a happy dance across the finish line of cancer,” she says.

“It’s a celebration of one or more years being cancer-free. Finally, it can be about having the control over a decision after having your life altered completely by cancer.”

Source: Magazine Features

Pictures: CATERS/WWW.MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA

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