A Plympton tattoo studio is giving women who have suffered breast cancer a real gift.
For many, the scars after surgery are a constant reminder of the journey they've been through.
And to help those women who bare the scars of their breast removal or reconstruction, Studio Tatatau has been offering free mastectomy tattoos.
Gemma and Sini Manu launched the offer during breast cancer awareness month - it was triggered by some horrific personal experiences Gemma has recently been through.
Last year, her sister was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer - she also lost a good friend who had a brain tumour and her dad was diagnosed with cancer - and this was all in one month.
"My sister has always been a really positive, bubbly, happy, outgoing person and to have seen the rollercoaster of emotions that it put her through was heartbreaking," Gemma, 37, said.
"I just wanted to do something to give that bit of comfort and warmth to these mastectomy warriors who have been through such hard times.
"The first [woman who had a] mastectomy tattoo sent us a message saying it's meant so much to her, it's given her so much more confidence.
"We just want to share the love really. Something that's so little can make someone feel so much better and it goes a long way."
The studio, which has recently moved to a bigger premises on Newnham Road having outgrown their previous space, welcomed in Audrey Orland and Claire Norman last week. They were the second and third ladies to have their scars decorated with ink.
Both Audrey and Claire were going ahead with the tattoos to raise awareness of breast cancer and life after cancer.
Claire went along with her daughter Nicole, who she is also setting up a 'life after cancer' blog with come the summer.
The Plympton resident said: "I was 38 when I was diagnosed with right side breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and lymph node clearance under my arm [as well as] chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
"Then on my 40th birthday I was in hospital for a rebuild. They took muscle from my back, pulled it through to the front then put an implant in which was gradually filled.
"The diagnosis was more of a shock for all of us, you just don't expect it, especially at 38. We were all in shock with that and it was dealing with it from there.
"When it came to doing it all though we just got on with it. It was hard though, really hard at the time."
The 46-year-old added: "Nicole and I discussed doing a blog about after the cancer was over. There are blogs whilst [cancer] is going on, so we wanted to raise awareness on what it's like afterwards and what happens. Then we saw Gemma's post looking for people got in touch."
Claire had her reconstructed breast tattooed by shop owner Sini Manu, who specialises in Polynesian tattooing. She came with no plans or designs, allowing Sini to draw a freehand tattoo for her.
The result was a beautiful Polynesian inspired tattoo with some delicate lace and floral touches.
Audrey Orland had come down from the Midlands to visit her daughter Amy, who first spotted Studio Tatatau's post and got her mum involved.
Audrey, now 57, said: "I was diagnosed in 2012 with right side breast cancer in two places. I had chemotherapy, radiotherapy and 14 months of intravenous treatment and then I chose to have a second mastectomy."
On being told she had breast cancer, Audrey said: "It was absolutely horrendous, the most terrifying day of my life.
"I knew on the day they did the tests - they showed me on the scan machine what they'd found and what they'd seen.
"I'd had a mammogram just before my 50th which was clear in the August. In the March time I knew that I had a lump but I just ignored it for just a few weeks really. It was Amy that pushed me to get an appointment."
Daughter Amy added: "She pulled her sunglasses up and then her breast concaved. She admitted there was a lump, by which time it was quite large in two places."
Audrey said: "From there on in it was a whirlwind. I'm grateful I had an amazing husband who's been fantastic and supportive kids.
"My tattoo is for me. when I look in the mirror and I see the scars I'm not horrified because they're part of me, but it's just to make it a bit prettier.
"A 'wow, I did that and I went through that and I'm here'. A lot of people play down breast cancer. I didn't know anything about breast cancer.
"My sister in law had breast cancer and I visited her in hospital. She'd had a mastectomy and a friend of mine also had breast cancer - I actually went back and apologised to both of them that I hadn't supported them in a way in which I could have done."
Audrey left the design completely up to her tattooist Gabriel Cross - who came up with a delicate branch and leaf image which stretched across her chest.
Daughter Amy got in touch with Studio Tatatatu after to say that the experience had given Audrey a 'little spark and a little excitement which is priceless'.
Gemma and Sini will be offering free mastectomy tattoos for the foreseeable future, and plan to offer one or two per month.
To get in touch, find them here.
