Breast cancer survivors offered complimentary tattoos in Mount Laurel

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. -- Breast cancer survivors were treated to something very special Wednesday in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

The special procedure is often referred to as the last touch of art to complete their journey.

Peggy Tosti was diagnosed with breast cancer 19 years ago and is now in remission.

On Wednesday, she completed that final leg by getting the complimentary areola tattoos as part of the "The Beau National Day of Hope."

"It does give you that feeling of femininity again like how you used to feel," she said.

Rose Marie Beauchemin, the Founder and Director of Education of the Beau Institute of Permanent and Corrective Cosmetics, says after a battle with breast cancer - most women are left feeling undone.

"They had been through chemo, radiation, hair loss, all of it - and they are done. They can't do that last thing," said Beauchemin.

By using tattoos to recreate an areola, they restore much more than a physical attribute.

"There's a sense of familiarity and confidence, a sense of femininity, all of these things come rushing back," said Beauchemin. "We've had a lot of tears in here today - tears of joy - even from us."

They have been performing this free service for 26 years and call it the most rewarding part of their profession.

"It makes me feel really good because I am a survivor myself - a 2 year survivor - and I love giving back to the community," said practitioner, Maria Concepcion.

The event was the 5th annual Day of Hope.

Beauchemin says idea is to give practitioners around the inspiration to do the same - to reach a world of women who have yet to complete their emotional and physical journey of feeling whole again.