About Us
The Areola Training Academy is the UK’s leading areola training school dedicated to teaching the art of medical tattooing. We provide comprehensive classes that cover the latest techniques in areola tattooing, which provides a 3D, realistic-looking areola for breast reconstructions. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of training in this field.
Our training courses are held around the UK and America, including Essex and Southampton. We provide the most up-to-date techniques and knowledge, so you can be sure to receive the best training.
The Areola Training Academy - Co Founded by Gemma Bowers and Vikki Clark.
In 2019, we both trained in areola tattooing, a treatment we believed in professionally but never imagined would become so deeply personal. In 2020, Vikki was diagnosed with breast cancer, a life-changing experience that gave us both a profound understanding of the emotional impact areola restoration can have following breast surgery. After struggling to find an areola tattooist that Vikki truly trusted, Gemma practised for hours every day, committed to mastering the technique to complete Vikki’s areola tattoo herself.
Through this journey, our work became about far more than aesthetics. It became about restoring confidence, identity, and a sense of wholeness for women following cancer and trauma.
Over ten years ago, we met by chance while seated next to each other at a wedding. At the time, we were both at the very beginning of our journeys into permanent makeup. We instantly connected, became close friends, and continued to grow side by side within the PMU industry.
As our careers progressed, we both became award-winning permanent makeup artists, gaining a variety of experiences across the industry and building reputations.
Both Gemma and Vikki are experienced and fully certified medical tattoo artists, dedicated to teaching our students the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in this highly specialised field. We use only the highest quality materials and the most advanced techniques to ensure exceptional results for our clients. Our courses are carefully designed to educate students on working safely and sensitively with delicate scar tissue, while providing a strong foundation in areola tattooing and scar treatments.
Together, we combined our expertise, compassion, and shared values to create The Areola Training Academy. Today, we have trained hundreds of artists worldwide to deliver life-changing areola tattooing, always to the highest standards of quality, care, and professionalism!
Award Winners
Gemma Bowers
The Areola Training Academy and The TATA Foundation was co founded by Gemma Bowers, an experienced and award-winning medical tattoo artist.
Gemma has been working in the hair and beauty industry for over 20 years and has been specialising in permanent makeup for the last 8.
Through her passion for medical tattooing, she now works as a multi award-winning medical tattoo artist and international trainer.
Vikki Clark
Our co founder Vikki Clark, has been in the permanent makeup industry for 10 years, and won awards for the best training academy Vikki is now an international areola tattoo trainer.
Her personal experience with breast cancer and a mastectomy gives her a unique insight and understanding of this art.
Our goal is to create a safe and welcoming space for all of our students to learn and grow.
What our Students Say
“I’m so glad I trained with Gemma and Vikki for Areola and Nipple tattooing. The training and support were the best I’ve had from any PMU course. They think of everything to make the job easier. I left confident to start offering the service immediately and felt fully prepared. Since then, I’ve become part of the Tata Foundation sponsored artist team, which is a dream come true.”
