Breast Tattoos – Unveiling 65+ Stunning Breast Tattoos For 2023

Breast Tattoos

Breast tattoos have become increasingly popular in recent years, not only for women who have undergone mastectomy or breast cancer surgery but also for those who want to adorn their bodies with beautiful and empowering artwork. While mastectomy tattoos can cover up scars and serve as a form of healing, decorative breast tattoos are purely for aesthetic purposes and can boost confidence and self-esteem.

Whether it’s a small design or a full chest piece, breast tattoos are a powerful way to celebrate and embrace one’s body.

Breast tattoos are a form of body art that can be both decorative and empowering. While mastectomy tattoos are designed to cover up scars from breast cancer surgery, decorative breast tattoos are purely for aesthetic purposes. They often serve as a confidence boosting celebration of the body.

Breast tattoos are a powerful way to embrace and celebrate one’s body.

Read on for more breast tattoo inspiration and advice on this amazing and strong tattoo placement

You may find some more placement inspiration with this post too. 40 Different Tattoo Styles – Which One Is Right For You?

Symbolism and Meaning of Breast Tattoos

Breast tattoos hold a great significance for many people, regardless of their age, with various designs symbolizing different meanings. For women, these tattoos can represent femininity, as the breast area is a sensitive and symbolic part of the female body.

They are an empowering personal choice of female tattoo

Some common tattoo ideas for the sternum or breast area include:

Floral Design Breast Tattoos

Flowers, vines, and other botanical elements often symbolize growth, beauty, and femininity. A delicate flower design has great flexibility. It can be customized to suit personal preferences and may also represent a specific meaning depending on the type of flower chosen.

Roses are a classic option, and can be designed in various sizes and colors to match an individual’s preferences.

Other popular flowers for breast tattoos include lotus flowers, which can make an elegant design, as well as more intricate and colorful flower designs, such as cherry blossoms or peonies.

Floral designs make a beautiful tattoo which also has flexibility which can help if it is being used to cover scarring. They can be black and gray {maybe with a splash of color added} or full color.

1 – Hyper Realistic Full color roses breast tattoo

2 – Delicate lotus Flower Breast Tattoo

3 – Black & Gray Rose Tattoo In Between The Breasts

4 – Lilies & Butterflies Dramatic Mastectomy Breast Tattoo

5 – Full Color Rose Tattoos – Upper Breast Area

Tribal & Geometric Breast Tattoos

These tattoos can create a bold statement on a woman’s chest. Incorporating geometric patterns and shapes, tribal designs accentuate the breast area and add a sense of strength and empowerment. 

6 – Geometric and floral Patterns Breast Tattoo

7 – Mandala Geometric Patterns under breast tattoo

8 – Geometric pattern upper breast tattoo

9 – Blackwork & Geometric Tribal Breast Tattoo

10 – Gem & Floral Breast Tattoo

Minimalist Breast tattoos

Some women prefer understated tattoos that are subtly placed on their breasts, often opting for simpler designs like a heart, star, or geometric shape. These tattoos may carry personal significance and can be easily covered up as needed.

11 – Minimalist dramatic line breast tattoo

12 – Simple & Delicate underboob tattoo

13 – Lavender minimal flowers on upper chest tattoo

14 – Simple minimal flowers tattoo on upper breast

15 – Simple minimal sternum tattoo between the breasts

Large & Detailed Breast Tattoos

Women who want to make a statement might choose larger, more intricate designs that span across their chest or sternum region and up to the collar bone. A symmetrical tattoo across the breasts is a dramatic statement.

16 – Foliage and crystals full chest tattoo

17 – Skull and peony full chest tattoo

18 – Chrysanthemum full breast tattoo, covering the sternum

19 – Colourful moth and lantern breast tattoo

20 – Dramatic stained glass window full breast tattoo

Animal Breast Tattoos

Animal tattoos can also accentuate a person’s breast area. Popular animal tattoos include:

Cats, symbolizing independence and mystery

21 – Black Cat Breast Tattoo

Butterflies, representing transformation and beauty

22 – Blue Butterfly Moth Breast Tattoo

23 – Traditional Butterfly Woman’s Chest Tattoo

Snakes, signifying rebirth and healing

24 – snakes and floral tattoo on womans breast

25 – Snakes & Traditional Roses Female Breast Tattoo

These tattoos can emphasize your unique personality and create a bold visual effect.

Breast Tattoo Design Inspiration.

Butterfly Breast tattoos

26 – Full color moth butterfly and floral breast tattoo

27 – Black and gray butterfly upper chest tattoo

28 – Minimal sternum butterfly breast tattoo

29 – Dotwork butterfly and foliage Breast tattoo

30 – Minimal underboob butterfly breast tattoo

Flower Breast Tattoos

31 – Mastectomy flowers scar covering breast tattoo

32 – Color lotus flowers underboob breast tattoo

33 – Blue peony & cherry blossom flowers breast tattoo

34 – Rose flowers and watch upper chest sternum tattoo

35 – Black and gray pepper shading flower breast tattoo

Celtic Breast Tattoos

36 – Celtic Breast Tattoo For Women

Moon Breast Tattoos

37 – Full color moon and cosmos universe chest tattoo

38 – Cats cradle and moon chest tattoo for a woman

39 – Moon phase between breast tattoo

40 – Moon phase under boob tattoo for women

Moth Breast Tattoo

41 – American traditional luna moth breast tattoo with gems and roses

42 – Green luna moth breast tattoo

43 – Deaths head moth with skull moon full chest tattoo for women

44 – Black and grey traditional moth breast tattoo

45 – Deaths head moth color breast tattoo

Peacock feather Breast Tattoo

46 – Full peacock tattoo covering the breast and sternum

47 – full color peacock breast tattoo

48 – Bright colored peacock feather under the collar bone

49 – Peacock feathers on a woman upper chest

50 – Two peacock feathers on the upper chest tattoo

The Breast Tattooing Process

Choosing The Right Tattoo Artist

It’s important to know that tattooing the breast is not easy. The skin is soft and delicate and is prone to blowouts. For this reason its super important that you go to an experienced artist who has tattooed the breast area before.

This ensures that the artist understands the intricacies and difficulties surrounding the process and can also work with scarring, uneven surfaces, and sensitive skin.

This is especially important with Mastectomy tattoos or 3D nipple Tattoos.

After a Mastectomy or breast reconstruction there is often a lot of scarring or the skin may have been damaged by radiation treatment. Its therefore essential that you find an artist who is used to working with this kind of skin and has a lot of experience in this area.

Its really important that you don’t go to a PMU [Permanent Make Up] technician as their tattooing equipment is not powerful enough to handle tattooing scarred skin. This can result in overworking and damage to the skin.

Researching local artists and their portfolios can help you identify the professional tattoo artist that best fits your unique situation. 

Safety and Aftercare of Breast Tattoos

The safety and aftercare process for breast tattoos is extremely important. A reputable tattoo artist will follow rigorous sanitation procedures and use high-quality tattoo ink, as well as ensure that you receive appropriate guidance on how to care for your new artwork. 

During the aftercare process, you should:

• Keep the tattooed area clean and dry
• Avoid submerging your tattoo in water, including pools and hot tubs, until it is fully healed
• Carefully follow any aftercare instructions provided by your artist
• Contact your tattoo artist or healthcare provider if you notice any signs of infection, such as persistent redness, swelling, or unusual discharge
• Taking care of your ink will result in a stunning design which will endure for years to come.

Your artist will most likely use Saniderm tattoo dressing film for your aftercare. You can find out more about using this tattoo bandage in this post. My Tattoo Looks Smudged Under Saniderm – Help. What Do I Do?

Does Getting A Breast Tattoo Hurt?

While pain tolerance varies for each individual, it is important to understand that getting a breast tattoo can be uncomfortable, particularly for those with sensitive skin or scarring. However, many tattoo artists take measures to minimize discomfort.

A sternum tattoo can be pretty painful as the tattoo machine vibrates through the breast bone.

Many women who have had extensive breast reconstruction surgery find that they do have less sensitivity in the breast so this can help when it comes to tattooing.

If you are having your areola enhanced or recoloured, this can be extremely sensitive and painful.

Applying numbing cream makes this area much harder to tattoo so your tattooist may not want to do this. You need to speak to your artist before your appointment.

You can find out more about the use of numbing cream in this article. Can I Use Numbing Cream Before A Tattoo?

Communicate openly with your artist about your concerns, especially if you are getting an  intricate breast tattoo.

They will likely work with you to ensure the process is as comfortable as possible.

Is getting a breast tattoo embarrassing?

A good tattooist should be aware of the fact that you are having to expose a sensitive and intimate part of the body.

They should be professional and ensure that you are tattooed in a private area of the studio without spectators or intrusions.

If you are at all worried about this aspect of getting your tattoo please do speak to your artists before the appointment.

A few screens, drapes or thoughtful positioning in the Tattoo Studio can make the experience much more pleasant for you.

Special Considerations for Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery is an option for many breast cancer survivors who have undergone a mastectomy. This procedure can help restore the natural appearance of the breast. 

However, the reconstructed breast will not have nipples so this is where tattooing can make a difference.

It’s important to wait at least six months after reconstructive surgery before getting any tattoos. This is because any scarring needs to be well healed before tattooing over it. Tattooing too soon can damage the still healing tissue.

It’s also important to wait this length of time to ensure any internal inflammation has gone down, this is especially important when getting 3D Nipple tattoos to ensure that the tattooist can get the best symmetry between the two breasts.

Surgeons often tell their patients that they are ready to get a tattoo after 2 months but this is not the case. Make sure that your reconstruction is well healed before proceeding.

Areola Tattooing

One popular option for breast cancer survivors is areola tattooing, which involves applying pigment to the skin to create the appearance of a natural areola and nipple.

This process can help restore a sense of normalcy and confidence for patients who have lost their nipples due to mastectomy or other treatments.

People may also opt for areola tattooing if they have pale nipples and want to enhance the natural colour.

Areola tattooing should only be performed by experienced professionals who are familiar with working with breast tissue and understand the unique challenges they may face.

3D Nipple Tattoos

3D nipple tattoos are an innovative option for breast cancer survivors who want a realistic and less invasive alternative to traditional nipple reconstruction.

A Skilled artist can create the illusion of a protruding nipple using shading techniques and carefully chosen pigment colors, giving patients a more natural appearance. 

I specialise in this form of tattooing for Breast Cancer survivors. A hyper realistic 3D nipple tattoo can be created to match an existing nipple after surgery and can be the finishing touch to a breast reconstruction.

Take a look at my 3D nipple tattoo gallery here.

Decorative Mastectomy Tattoos

Decorative mastectomy tattoos offer breast cancer survivors a chance to reclaim their bodies and express themselves creatively with deep personal meaning.

With various designs, such as flowers and butterflies, these tattoos can serve as a form of healing and empowerment after traumatic surgery.

You can view my Mastectomy Tattoo gallery here.

51 – Mastectomy tattoo – Black and gray flowers with pepper shading

52 – Scar covering mastectomy tattoo with wildflowers and butterfly

53 – Mastectomy tattoo – Full color delicate flowers tattoo

54 – Mastectomy tattoo – Black and gray roses with pepper shading

55 – Pink peony mastectomy tattoo with breast cancer ribbon

Nipple Tattoos after gender reassignment and top surgery

Tattooing can help after gender reassignment surgery. If nipple grafts have failed, tattooing can be used to augment and improve the appearance. 

With Male to Female transition, tattooing can help to make the appearance of the areola more feminine.

You can find out more about my gender reassignment tattoos here.

Areola Heart Tattoos

Areola heart tattoos are a more intimate form of body art, and can be a source of empowerment for those who have undergone breast reconstruction surgery or just for aesthetic reasons alone.

These tattoos typically consist of a heart shape which embraces the natural curve of the areola, providing a personal touch to one’s body.

A breast cancer awareness tattoo

Many women who have gone through surgery choose to incorporate a little pink ribbon somewhere in their design to signify what they have gone through.

Breast Tattoo Placement Inspiration Pictures

Here are some popular breast tattoo placements to consider: 

Side Boob Tattoos

For women looking for subtler tattoo placements, side boob tattoos are an elegant option for a  feminine design. A simple design will work best.

These tattoos remain hidden or partially visible, depending on the outfit. The side boob area offers enough canvas for vertical or horizontal designs, and popular choices include flowing, delicate patterns such as vines, feathers, and minimalist symbols.

55 – Sideboob breast tattoo with delicate black and grey flowers

56 – Sideboob breast tattoo with delicate pink flowers

57 – Sideboob breast tattoo simple minimal flowers

Underboob Tattoos

Underboob tattoos are a growing trend, with designs often placed beneath the curve of the breast. This can range from decorative scrollwork to striking geometric patterns. An under breast tattoo can be a subtle yet attractive way to enhance one’s body art.

It’s important to know that this placement doesn’t work for everyone. It works best for people with small breasts. If you have larger breasts a placement on the upper chest may work better.

58 – Underboob tattoo bejewelled moth

59 – Beautiful underboob tattoo with gems and gold

60 – Snake and roses underboob tattoo

Tattoos Between The Breasts

Tattoos placed between the breasts can be simple or elaborate, depending on the individual’s preference. A popular option is the lotus flower, symbolizing purity and rebirth. Other ideas include ancient symbols or meaningful phrases, often rendered in a crisp and clear font.

61 – sternum tattoo. Simple hands of love

62 – Sternum tattoo between the breasts – om

63 – Minimal and simple between the breasts sternum tattoo

64 – Rose tattoo between the breasts

Full Chest Tattoos

65 – Full chest and neck tattoo on a woman

66 – Full chest tattoo on a woman – owl and flowers

67 – Woman full chest tattoo – black and grey roses

For those seeking to make a bold statement, full chest tattoos can be a powerful choice. They can be black and grey or a fully colorful tattoo.

These tattoos often incorporate elements from multiple categories, such as floral, animal, and geometric designs, ultimately creating a cohesive and unique masterpiece across the chest area.

In summary, breast tattoos offer a wide range of design possibilities, catering to various personal styles and tastes. From floral to animal-inspired designs, the breast area can be a perfect canvas to showcase one’s individuality through body art.

Conclusion – Chest & Breast Tattoos

In recent years, breast tattoos have gained popularity as a form of self-expression and body art. These tattoos can serve various purposes, from commemorating personal experiences to enhancing body aesthetics.

They are confidence boosting tattoos for women

Hyper realistic areola tattoos are often used in breast cancer reconstruction to restore the appearance of natural nipples.

Mastectomy tattoos mark the end of breast cancer treatment and are a way of reclaiming the breast after invasive surgery with a beautiful design.

As with any tattoo, it is important for individuals to consider their personal comfort and potential health implications before getting a breast tattoo.

This includes researching a skilled tattoo artist to create the perfect tattoo for you.

Breast tattoos can be a beautiful and meaningful way to express oneself or celebrate personal milestones. 

A beautiful breast tattoo can make all the difference when it comes to body confidence.

Please note - it hasn't been possible to find credits for these tattoos. If your work is shown and you would like a link to your site or social profile please get in contact and we will add it. Thanks

The information on the site is for entertainment only. Anything you do is at your own risk. Consult with your own Tattooist, Piercer or Doctor for advice.