This Master Memphis Tattoo Artist Helps Women Feel Whole Again
After surgery, illness, or injury, many people may feel their treatment is incomplete, but don’t know where to turn. Memphis paramedical tattoo artist Nicolette Tomblyn can help through restorative artistry that’s focused on healing and empowerment. Image: Tenola Plaxico
At Sittin Pretty Ink, paramedical tattoo artist Nicolette Tomblyn blends medical expertise with artistic sensitivity to offer healing, restoration, and empowerment to her clients. With more than a decade of nursing experience and advanced training at the prestigious Sauler Institute of Tattooing, Nicolette helps clients feel at home in their body after surgery, illness, or injury. Learn more about this talented and compassionate FACE of Memphis!
First, tell us about paramedical tattooing. What’s the purpose of this branch of tattoo artistry?
Paramedical tattooing is a specialized form of restorative tattooing that helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, surgical sites, and areas affected by medical conditions or trauma. Using advanced color theory and precise pigment placement, this technique works to blend imperfections with the surrounding skin tone, restore natural features (such as areola reconstruction after a mastectomy), and support clients in feeling confident in their skin again.
It’s where artistry meets medical expertise — focused not on decoration, but on healing, restoration, and empowerment.
You began your career in nursing. At what point did you realize you wanted to expand into paramedical tattooing?
I’ve always been an artistic person, but I have such a love for nurturing and science. On a personal note, I’ve had so many surgeries that left a lot of scarring — and left me more self-conscious. I thought to myself, “How could I resolve this? Why can’t they just do tattoo ink or something like that?”
As I began researching, I found someone in Philadelphia who is doing this on a professional level and was one of the pioneers in the industry. I found her number and made the call. That began my journey into the tattooing world.
How does your nursing background influence the way you approach consultations, safety, and aftercare?
My nursing background influences everything from keeping a sterile environment to effective communication with patients and their physicians, and seeing my clients fully through a medical and holistic lens. As a bedside nurse for more than a decade (and also on the wound care team), I’ve experienced the most extreme cases.
I’m very happy to be able to take complicated cases in paramedical tattooing, as well as know when a client is not a good candidate. Nurses see all the angles and understand the importance of expectations and outcomes. My focus is always on the well-being and safety of my clients.
You recently earned your Advanced Areola Certification from the Sauler Institute of Tattooing. What skills or philosophies did that training instill in you?
I was drawn to the Sauler Institute because it has a standard of care that aligns with my practice and compassion. We had a four-day, in-depth training focusing on the surgical side, techniques to create realism, color theory, and how to effectively treat scars and stretch marks.
Scar camouflage and dry needling sound intimidating to someone unfamiliar. What misconceptions do you hear most often?
Common misconceptions and concerns usually center on pain and expectations. Explaining comfort care to clients and detailing what they can expect is very important. We provide a topical anesthetic if necessary.
Many of the scar and dry needling cases are actually fairly quick procedures and depend on the size of the scar. Not all scars are candidates for treatment; therefore, consultation and thorough assessments are critical. Finally, clients need to understand that most treatments for dry needling will require two to three sessions for the best results.
What do clients typically feel before their appointment, and how does that change once they see the final result?
I would describe clients as either nervous or excited, depending on the treatment they are coming for and their own personal journey. Providing education and open communication while creating a safe space for my clients helps ease most anxieties prior to getting a service, but the very best part is seeing their reaction when it’s complete.
It can be very emotional, and it’s what makes this career so rewarding. I have the privilege of seeing the sweeter side of healthcare and wellness, and I cherish that with every person I see in my suite.
How do you create a space where clients feel emotionally safe as well as physically safe?
I create physical, emotional, and mental safety by practicing trauma-informed care. That means clear communication, consent at every step, respecting boundaries, maintaining clinical cleanliness and privacy, and making sure every client feels seen and heard — not rushed or judged.
As a nurse and an artist, my goal is for clients to feel empowered in their bodies — not pressured. People feel safe when their experience is predictable. I narrate what I’m about to do before I do it, giving cues every time I’m about to touch the skin or change position. It helps regulate the nervous system and create a calm and peaceful environment.
What have your clients taught you about healing?
Everyone is on their own timeframe. I see clients wanting to get their tattoos as soon as possible, and some wait seven years before they decide to make an appointment. It’s really about the individual and giving them the space to make choices about their body.
Switching gears a little, what do you do for your own self-care?
I do the most for my self-care! I exercise at least five days a week. I teach yoga and also compete in bodybuilding, which has been a huge part of my life and grounds me. I also prioritize meal prepping and quality sleep. If I’m treating myself, I like to get a facial or massage.
What’s your best piece of advice?
Move with integrity. Be true to yourself and take care of each other.
Finally, aside from faith, family, and friends, what are three things you can’t live without?
Sunsets, yoga, and music.
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Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.