Volunteers Get 3D Nipple Tattoos to Bypass Censorship in Perky Awareness Campaign
Droga5 has partnered with Perky, a San Antonio-based breast cancer survivor clinic, to launch an innovative and heartfelt initiative designed to fight against social media censorship and raise awareness about breast cancer survivor support.
Founded in 2021, Perky specialises in hyper-realistic 3D nipple tattoos for breast cancer survivors who have undergone reconstruction surgery and were not able to save their nipples. Despite Perky’s transformative impact, the clinic has faced significant challenges in promoting its services on platforms like Instagram due to censorship policies that flag nipple tattoos—even when intended for reconstructive purposes.
To address this, Droga5 and Perky created the “Third Nipple” campaign event—a creative idea developed by Droga5—which leveraged the fact that nipples on any part of the body other than a woman’s breast are not censored on social media. At the center of the campaign was an event where Perky invited volunteers to receive a free 3D areola tattoo to showcase Perky’s services.
The event, which took place last month at Perky’s clinic in San Antonio, had six volunteers stepping forward to receive free 3D areola tattoos in various locations, including abdomens, thighs, a shin, and multiple butt cheeks. Photos, videos, and testimonials were captured that can now be shared on Perky's Instagram, TikTok, Facebook accounts, without the worry of censorship.
By tattooing male co-survivors, the campaign showcased Perky’s services in an impactful way, while creatively bypassing the restrictions that have long hindered their outreach. And while it may seem like a small detail, a nipple represents womanhood, and losing it is a deeply emotional experience. Receiving a tattoo from Perky isn’t just the last step in physical healing—it’s a crucial part of emotional healing too.
“‘Skin in the Game’ was about more than just visibility. It was about finding new, creative ways to break barriers and support those who need it most,” said Lauren Varvara, executive creative director at Droga5 New York. “It was amazing seeing former patients who attended often teared up when talking about Crystal and Courtney, and the supportive environment Perky has built.”
In their decade of work with the breast cancer community, Perky’s founders, Crystal Yang and Courtney Delgado, noticed first-hand the many physical and emotional side effects survivors face. Recognizing a void in the final stages of the survivor’s journey, they decided to use their passion and expertise to fill it.
Droga5 and Perky hope that the campaign will continue to drive awareness, empower survivors, and inspire more people to support the cause—whether through volunteering, sharing content, or discussing the issue.
