Hyperrealistic tattooing plays a key role in the comprehensive treatment for oral cavity reconstruction. While oral cancer is an aggressive disease that leaves both physical and emotional scars, there are treatments that help restore appearance and well-being.
Olga Grande, a specialist in oncological, paramedical, and aesthetic micropigmentation, and Dr Samir Aboul-Hosn, a specialist in maxillofacial surgery, answered various questions in this interview to help us understand what a comprehensive treatment for oral cavity reconstruction entails after battling oral cancer.
Through this interview, we explore the main solutions and options available to oral cancer survivors to regain their physical and emotional health.
And so, we begin this interview:
1. What is a hyperrealistic oncological tattoo for oral cancer survivors?
Olga Grande explained that once patients have overcome oral cancer and undergone reconstructive surgery on the oral cavity, they have the option of benefiting from hyperrealistic oncological tattooing— a minimally invasive procedure that helps restore the natural appearance of the mouth.
At Omicroart, the mouth can be optically reconstructed through oncological tattooing, including the lips, chin, and entire oral cavity, camouflaging scars and enhancing their appearance without the need for additional surgical procedures.
The process begins with a preliminary consultation to understand the patient’s expectations, provide guidance, and explain the entire procedure, including the necessary aftercare to maintain the tattoo in good condition.
“Hyperrealistic oncological tattooing plays a key role in the optical reconstruction of the mouth, meticulously recreating every detail to make it look natural and help patients feel more comfortable and confident,” emphasised oncological tattoo and micropigmentation specialist Olga Grande.
2. What does a hyperrealistic oncological tattoo involve?
Oncological tattooing is inspired by hyperrealism, an artistic movement that emerged in the 1960s, which replicates reality as it is—an evolution of realism and photorealism, now used for medical purposes to aid the recovery of oral cancer survivors, explained Olga Grande.
Some of the key characteristics of oncological tattooing include the use of shadows, highlights, contrasts, colours, and textures that mimic the features and details of the area being reconstructed—in this case, the oral cavity. At Omicroart, both human expertise and advanced technology come together to achieve this natural and realistic effect, supported by a deep understanding of anatomy, perspective, and composition.
“Unlike conventional tattooing, oncological tattooing requires avoiding defined lines to create a sense of depth. In this style, colour plays a key role and demands great artistic skill and precise technique from the specialist in hyperrealistic oncological tattooing for mouth reconstruction. Additionally, it allows room for creativity, enabling the design to be replicated with all its details,” explained Olga Grande.
Hyperrealistic oncological tattooing for mouth cancer survivors is an art form that blends reality with imagination, creating stunning designs that challenge the limits of perception.
3. Emotional Benefits of Hyperrealistic Oncological Tattooing and Mouth Reconstruction
When asked about the benefits of reconstructive surgery and hyperrealistic oncological tattooing, Olga Grande and Dr Samir Aboul-Hosn agree that:
- Oral cancer survivors develop a better self-perception.
- Daily life after cancer becomes easier and more optimistic.
- Former patients can transform their experience.
- These treatments enhance emotional regulation and provide tools for expressing personal resilience.
- They represent a successful conclusion that allows oral cancer survivors to share their story.
Oral cancer survivors need the close support of their social circle and comprehensive options like Olga Grande’s hyperrealistic oncological tattooing, offered by Omicroart, alongside Dr Samir’s reconstructive surgery. These solutions help complete both the physical and emotional recovery process.
4. Prevalence of Oral Cancer in Spain
It is important to understand oral cancer in numbers. Dr Samir Aboul-Hosn explained that in Spain, oral cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all cancers, ranking tenth overall. Men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women, with 70% of all cases occurring in men— a total of 40,087 men and 18,778 women in 2024, according to the American Cancer Society.
At least 1 in 59 men is at risk of developing oral and oropharyngeal cancer during their lifetime, compared to 1 in 139 women. However, this risk can vary depending on specific risk factors identified and confirmed by the American Cancer Society, including:
- Tobacco and alcohol consumption
- Use of betel quid and gutka (popular in Southeast Asia and South Asia)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Sex, being more common in men than in women
- Excess body weight
- Age, being more common in people over 55, or from age 50 in those with HPV
- Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light
- Poor nutrition with low fruit and vegetable intake
- Genetic syndromes such as Fanconi anaemia and dyskeratosis congenita
Some risk factors remain unproven by professional medical studies and are considered controversial, such as the use of alcohol-based mouthwash, constant irritation from dentures, and even changes in teeth and gums over time.
“These beliefs should not be spread in any way, especially since there is no medical evidence confirming these risk factors. The recommendation is always to consult an oncology specialist who can determine the possible causes and the appropriate treatment,” stated Dr Samir Aboul-Hosn.
Additionally, it is important to highlight that after treatment for oral cancer, survivors can undergo reconstructive surgery on the oral cavity to restore the physical appearance lost due to oncological treatment.
5. Types of Reconstructive Surgery After Oral Cancer
Dr Samir Aboul-Hosn, as an expert in maxillofacial surgery, understands that oral cavity reconstruction is crucial for both the physical and emotional well-being of patients. For this reason, he offers various surgical options depending on the exact location of the tumour, allowing for a tailored medical treatment plan. Patients may undergo one of the following procedures:
- Mohs micrographic surgery: Used to remove tumours located at the edge of the lip.
- Glossectomy: Performed on patients with tongue cancer, either partially or completely, depending on the stage of the disease.
- Mandibulectomy: Necessary when cancer has spread to the jawbone, requiring the removal of part or all of the jaw.
- Maxillectomy: Carried out when cancer has spread to the hard palate (the front part of the roof of the mouth), involving the removal of part or all of the maxillary bone.
- Laryngectomy: Used to remove large tumours at the base of the tongue or oropharynx.
- Neck dissection: Required when cancer has affected the lymph nodes, necessitating their removal.
Dr Samir recommends that, after successfully removing the tumour, reconstructive surgery should be performed to restore both the appearance and function of the areas affected by mouth cancer. Following this, hyperrealistic oncological tattooing can further enhance the natural appearance of the treated area, in collaboration with Omicroart.
Reconstructive Surgery After Oral Cancer
“Large tumour removal treatments can cause physical defects in the mouth, neck, or throat, which will require surgery to restore both appearance and functionality,” explained Dr Samir Aboul-Hosn.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr Samir has learned that, in some cases, layers of skin from different parts of the body can be grafted onto the affected area, achieving natural results with minimal risk of side effects. When combined with oncological tattooing, this marks the final step in a long, complex, and painful process for patients, helping them regain their appearance and lost confidence.
According to Dr Samir Aboul-Hosn, it is also possible to use other body tissues, such as the intestine, arm muscles, abdominal muscles, and even bone from the lower leg, for grafting onto the jaw, throat, and mouth.
6. The Impact of Oral Cancer on Physical Appearance and Self-Esteem
The impact on a person’s physical appearance is significant, especially after oral cancer, as tumour removal treatments can leave visible scars on the mouth and surrounding areas. However, an equally serious but less visible consequence is the patient’s low self-esteem, particularly when the affected area is so exposed.
Dr Samir Aboul-Hosn revealed that:
“The scars resulting from oral cancer can vary in size and appearance, depending on the extent of the cancer and the surgical procedures performed. Some individuals may have small, subtle scars, while others may face larger, more prominent ones. Regardless of their size, these scars can serve as a constant reminder of a mouth cancer survivor’s past struggle and may impact their self-confidence and self-image”.
Many patients wish to restore their previous appearance and feel more confident. This is why seeking the expertise of a maxillofacial surgeon and an oncological tattoo specialist like Olga Grande is an excellent option for regaining both appearance and self-esteem after oral cancer.
Oral cancer survivors who want to restore the natural look of their oral cavity can rely on a comprehensive solution—starting with surgical reconstruction under the expertise of Dr Samir Aboul-Hosn and completing the process with hyperrealistic oncological tattooing at Omicroart, led by micropigmentation specialist Olga Grande.
If you would like to consult with the experts and begin the final stage of your healing journey, you can contact them at:
