Hairdresser, 31, faces Instagram ban after moderators said posts showing her new reconstructive nipple tattoos during breast cancer battle amounted to ‘sexual activity’
- Laura Henrietta posted a video of her receiving 3D reconstructive nipple tattoos
- Instagram said Ms Henrietta could be banned if she shared similar images
- Ms Henrietta underwent a single mastectomy to remove stage three cancer
A hairdresser fighting breast cancer is facing an Instagram ban for ‘sexual activity’ after posting pictures of reconstructive nipple tattoos.
Laura Henrietta, 31, posted a video of her receiving the 3D tattoos after she underwent a mastectomy to remove stage three cancer, but her post was removed by moderators.
Ms Henrietta, of Norwich, Norfolk, was contacted by the social media site – which has a ban on showing women’s nipples – and told if she shared similar images with her 6,000 followers she could be banned.
Ms Henrietta said: ‘I have been inundated with love and support for the post sharing my areola tattoos, not one person has made a fuss or made me feel bad.
‘I’ve had so many messages from women saying it’s helped them realise they want reconstruction or that it’s normal and available.
Laura Henrietta, 31, posted a video of her receiving reconstructive nipple tattoos on Instagram
Ms Henrietta, of Norwich, Norfolk, was contacted by the social media site – which has a ban on showing women’s nipples – and told if she shared similar images with her 6,000 followers she could be banned
Laura Henrietta, 31, posted a video of her receiving the 3D tattoos after losing her breasts, but her post was removed by moderators
‘It’s really important we get this message across to Instagram – why are nipples allowed on a man but not on a woman? Especially when it’s art – a tattoo, not even a real nipple.’
Ms Henrietta was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 25 after finding a lump in her left breast whilst on holiday.
She underwent treatment including chemotherapy and a single mastectomy to remove the stage three cancer.
Ms Henrietta was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 25 after finding a lump in her left breast whilst on holiday
Ms Henrietta said: ‘I will keep sharing my experiences to help other women and show the world what happens when you are in my situation. I refuse to hide away’
The following year she had precautionary surgery to remove her right breast and have both sides reconstructed.
Then in 2016 a pain in her right shoulder was found to be secondary cancer that had spread to her bones.
Ms Henrietta said: ‘I will keep sharing my experiences to help other women and show the world what happens when you are in my situation. I refuse to hide away.
Pictured: Before the tattoo, above, and after, below. Cosmetic tattooist Vicky Martin said: ‘I have protested about this policy at Facebook and Instagram before. I want to raise awareness that these tattoos are about helping women to feel complete again. It’s not pornographic at all, it’s art’
‘It has been over five years since I had my mastectomy and lost a huge part of my femininity.
‘I had hoped it would be the way I became cancer free but little did I know how precious life was about to get.
‘My new 3D tattoos have transformed the way I look at my breasts.’
Ms Henrietta and friend Nicky Newman, 32, run Secondary Sisters, a campaigning group to support other women with incurable secondary breast cancer.
On the day of Ms Henrietta’s areola tattoo treatment she shared the process live on the Secondary Sisters Instagram feed to an audience of more than 7,000 people.
Cosmetic tattooist Vicky Martin said: ‘I have protested about this policy at Facebook and Instagram before. I want to raise awareness that these tattoos are about helping women to feel complete again.
‘It’s not pornographic at all, it’s art.
‘Laura and Nicky are doing so much good for women with secondary cancer and it was an honour to help Laura. Sharing her journey took strength that should be celebrated.’