Nipple tattooist 'frustrated' by online censorship

A medical tattoo artist has described the online censorship of nipple tattoos for mastectomy patients as "wholly unfair and discriminatory".

Lauren Carter, based in Hanham near Bristol, says social media bots and algorithms often mistakenly flag her hyper-realistic work as "inappropriate nudity".

Carter has been banned from posting numerous times, and her pictures have been permanently removed, which she says leaves her "struggling" to reach new clients.

A spokesperson for Facebook and Instagram owner Meta said it "continues to work on improving" how it identifies and protects medical and health-related content.

Because medical tattoos are designed to look as realistic as possible, social media bots and algorithms can sometimes confuse the inked 3D-effect for bare skin.

A Meta spokesperson confirmed post-mastectomy scarring and areola tattoos are allowed on Facebook and Instagram, but its systems "occasionally make mistakes".

"We understand how frustrating that can be, which is why we allow users to appeal these decisions and we continue to work on improving how we identify and protect medical and health-related content," they said.

"We recognise the important role medical tattooists play in supporting breast cancer survivors, and we want this content on our platforms."

Despite posting disclaimers and covering the nipple tattoo with emojis, Carter says each update to her online portfolio jeopardises years of hard work and positive reviews.

"It really does upset me - there's a sense of injustice," she said.

"I'm annoyed and frustrated, not only for myself, but for the people who are looking for this sort of thing and can't find it. I don't know how else to reach people."

Carter says her posts are automatically removed "nine times out of 10". She always appeals the decision, but "it's as if nobody even reads it".

"It's interesting how the photos I post of male nipples following my treatments do not get banned or reported as a sexual image," she added.

"For me, this work is about so much more than beauty. It is about helping people feel confident, comfortable and like themselves again."

Jessica Bowler, a nurse from Bristol, underwent a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction at the age of 32 following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2019.

"Although I knew the treatment was necessary to save my life, it was still incredibly difficult physically and emotionally," she said.

"I would look in the mirror and almost not recognise myself. My chest was a reminder of everything I had been through."

Bowler said the decision to get areola reconstruction tattoos marked an important milestone in her recovery, describing the procedure as "empowering".

"The tattoos weren't about vanity; they were about feeling comfortable in my own skin," she said.

"It's difficult to explain unless you've been through it, but having something restored that cancer took away can be incredibly powerful."

The 39-year-old described the online censoring of nipple tattoos as "really upsetting", as it prevents survivors from exploring the options available to them post-surgery.

"They shouldn't be treated as something shameful or sexual," she said.

"[People] who've been through breast cancer should be able to share their stories and help each other without being censored."

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