Who am I and what do I do?

Who am I and what do I do?

I suppose this is the best place to start! So ‘Hello’ – I’m Nikki Butler. If you have a look at the ‘About Me‘ then you’ll learn a bit more about me and see a lovely list of my qualifications and accreditations, but for the purpose of the blog I’ll get a bit more up close and personal!

Currently in my early 40s, I’ve lived in the Hampshire area for the last 15 years. Having originated from New Zealand, I settled here age four. University life took me to Bournemouth – I adore being by the sea, before I moved around a little with work. I have a cat called Charlie, I’m not sure why that’s relevant, but I thought you might like to know.

I was a creative child and then fell into a very serious corporate life. To this day I am not really sure how this happened, but cue an education and career in law and legal management. Ever the student, I’d managed to collect a number of qualifications along the way, including Personal Trainer (GP referral level), Nutritional Therapy and Makeup Artist – so yes, I was popular with friends and family with that skill set!

I am also ‘qualified’ to run a ceramics party business and chocolate making too, just to give you some idea of the randomness of some of my training. I like to think I’m well rounded!

In early 2012 I had an ‘epiphany’ and decided corporate life wasn’t for me. So I left. No job, no clue of what I was going to do. As I was already qualified in Nutrition and Beauty, I dabbled in that and hey presto – a year later I was running a highly successful business.

No more corporate life for me!

And then came the tattooing

In 2014 a very good friend of mine said this to me “why don’t you become a Medical Tattooist? I can’t think of anyone I’d trust more”. To which I replied “A what? Umm…..I don’t think so”.

My very dear friend had had breast cancer previously, and hadn’t had her areola and nipple reconstructed or tattooed after the procedure. It was just one procedure and one stranger too far at that point in her journey.

After my initial ‘I don’t think so’, I became very curious about the treatments and watched the industry for around a year. I was completely blown away by the results and the difference these treatments were making to people. Truly wonderful.

So, shortly after my 40th Birthday I booked to start my training! Having completed all of my cosmetic training, I went on to complete my medical training – and then a whole lot of advanced technique courses too. Oh, and then the new formal VTCT Qualification (excited that this will soon be a regulated industry!).

It is a source of pride that I am one of an elite few who have a licence to administer adrenaline based numbing and that I’m also trained in anaphylaxis. That’s a lot of training, but gives you total peace of mind that I am top of my field.

What treatments do I offer?

You can have a little look on my treatment lists for full details, but my treatments do include the cosmetic side of things; semi-permanent eyebrows and semi permanent eyeliner. Please be aware that I don’t offer fashion eyeliner though, so no flicks or thick statement eyeliner I’m afraid. For me it’s more about natural enhancement rather than ‘fashion’ makeup, I don’t want to be responsible for someone having something that they won’t love in a years time when the fickle world of fashion changes.

On the medical side, 3D areola and nipple tattooing, scar improvement treatments and cosmetic procedures for medical purposes. These include cleft lip improvement, alopecia, thyroid disorders and chemotherapy patients.

Why I love being a Medical and Cosmetic Tattooist

I can honestly say this is the first time in my working career that I have LOVED, I mean truly LOVED what I do. It’s especially amazing working with the most amazing clients, who inspire me and humble me every day.

Seeing the end result of a treatment is the best feeling, and I love that I get to use my creative flair to help clients to get exactly the right look for them.

I am also very lucky to collaborate with some very talented, kind and inspiring people and businesses. All are dedicated to giving patients a holistic approach to their wellbeing.

The treatments I offer are usually just one part of a much larger jigsaw puzzle. From confidence issues through to a wide range of medical issues, I love that I get to cross refer to other professionals that can continue the support journey. You’ll find details of many experts on my page, but feel free to ask me too.

What’s next?

Ever the learner, I will continue to increase my skills and knowledge and I will challenge the industry and create new ways of producing better results. This is such an exciting industry to be a part of and I can’t wait for it to be formally regulated, so all clients will KNOW the standards to expect.

So please get in touch if you’d like to know more. You can find me on facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube and of course, my website.

Nikki x