A WREXHAM-based medical tattoo artist has transformed a patient's life following a double mastectomy.

Anna Ishak, a medical tattoo artist from Wrexham, specialises in lifelike nipple tattoos.

Anna moved to Wales from Russia just two years ago and is a valued member of the team supporting patients with breast cancer at Brow HQ in Chester. 

A diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer in 2021 left patient Laura Rose, 39, from Grantham in Lincolnshire, facing six months of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy before being told she'd have to wait 18-months for the tattoos on the NHS.

The Leader: Anna Ishak after receiving her well-deserved award.Anna Ishak after receiving her well-deserved award. (Image: Anna Ishak)

After losing a lot of confidence in herself and refusing to wait, Laura used social media to find Anna who offered the same service privately in Chester, costing £600. 

Anna had always wanted to be in a position to offer her services through the NHS to help reduce waiting times.

After discussing features such as the size, colour and shape the patient desires, Anna mixes the pigments and applies them to the skin. The pigment is semi-permanent and so may need topping up in the future, despite being referred to as a "tattoo."

Anna said: "It's vital for those men and women who fought breast cancer to have this final step to make them feel whole or even complete, because it has a significant impact on their mental health.

"I have a great desire to help people."

Laura is "so incredibly grateful" to Anna for her skill and talent in making her feel "normal" after her treatment. 

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Last month, Anna was named the UK areola artist of the year at the UK PMU Conference & Awards ceremony.

She said: "I am absolutely honoured and thrilled. It is a great joy to be recognised among such talented people."

The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee confirmed that waiting times in North Wales have been reported as around two months.

A full interview with Anna can be seen on BBC Wales today at 6.30pm.