In this powerful and inspiring episode of Skin Deep Stories, Montreal tattoo artists and moms Kirsten Diachidos and Melanie Belanger sit down with Karen Malkin Lazarovitz, founder of EMPOWERink, a non-profit organization offering free tattoo coverups of mastectomy scars for breast cancer survivors.

Karen shares her deeply personal story... From discovering she carried the BRCA gene mutation, to making the courageous decision to have a preventative double mastectomy, and eventually founding EMPOWERink to help other women reclaim their bodies, confidence, and sense of self through tattoo art.

Kirsten, who volunteers with EMPOWERink as one of the tattoo artists providing these transformative tattoos at no cost, talks about the emotional and artistic side of the work, and what it means to help survivors heal through creativity and compassion.

Together, they discuss how tattoos can be a form of empowerment, healing, and self-expression, proving that body art isn't just about beauty — it can also be about strength, survival, and rewriting your own story.

This episode will leave you moved, motivated, and reminded of the incredible power of both art and community.

Follow the hosts:

Kirsten on Instagram: kirstentattooarts

Mel on Instagram: melrocktattoos

Book a tattoo or learn more:

Visit wildmagnoliatattoos.com to see their work and book your next tattoo consultation.