Kris Fernicola founder of Restoration Body Art is a medical Tattoo Artist renowned for her expertise in realistic 3D Areola tattooing, scar camouflage, and corrective permanent makeup. Inspired by her mothers battle with breast cancer and mastectomy, Kris transformed her lifelong passion for art into a purpose-driven mission to restore confidence and hope for those who have undergone surgeries, burns, or other skin and body disfigurements. With a strong background in fine arts, specializing in portraiture, anatomy, and realism drawing, she brings unparalleled precision and empathy to her work across her studios in New Jersey, Florida, and Louisiana as well as many clients traveling in worldwide to have their tattooing done by Kris.

She has been featured in outlets like ABCNY7, North Jersey News, A Plus Media, and highlighted in Allure Magazine as one of the top Areola tattoo artists in the country. Kris has had many wonderful mentors and trainers along her journey who have helped shaped who she is, because of that she knows the importance of good mentorship, apprenticeship and training programs which now have her mentoring other aspiring artists and speaking on the importance of realistic 3D Areola tattooing and the healing power of art.

Her favorite part of her business and the reason for naming her company Restoration Body Art…is,

To Restore: To give back that which has been lost or taken.

https://www.restorationbodyart.com/

Vicki Hansen launched her career in the fashion and beauty industry over three decades ago and entered the emerging field of permanent cosmetics in March 1992. Since then, she’s performed thousands of permanent cosmetic procedures, including micro-blade eyebrows, permanent eyeliner, lip blush, scar camouflage, and 3-D areola restoration—all delivered from her private studio in Arlington/Pantego, Texas

Regarded as one of Texas’s top permanent makeup artists, Vicki was voted Texas Best Permanent Makeup Artist for seven consecutive years. She is frequently trusted by plastic surgeons to provide permanent cosmetic correction and specialized areola artistry for reconstruction patients. As an experienced medical aesthetician, she has trained hundreds of nurses, physicians, and aestheticians in dermal needling, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and permanent makeup—through institutions such as the American Institute of Intradermal Cosmetics (AIIC) and Advanced Cosmetic Spa & Academy in Naperville, Illinois.

Beyond her studio work, Vicki is celebrated as an educator and mentor. She has led training in advanced permanent makeup techniques—microblading, hybrid brows, 3‑D areola restoration, and scar camouflage—across Texas, Florida, Illinois, and as a guest instructor nationwide.

Vicki embraces a natural, aesthetic-first philosophy—focusing on subtle enhancements that complement each client’s “cosmetic personality style.” Her techniques are built around artistic placement of color and shape, ensuring results appear timeless rather than obvious. Known for her perfectionist attention to detail and client-centered care, Vicki listens closely to individual desires and uses precise measurements and suggestions to create bespoke results tailored to the client’s face and lifestyle.

Vicki will feature as a presenter and workshop facilitator at the 2025 SPCP Paramedical Summit, where she’ll share her advanced techniques and three decades of expertise with peers and professionals in the industry.

https://vickismakingfaces.com/

Julie is an internationally acclaimed pioneer in the world of cosmetic & paramedical tattooing. She began her career as a freelance makeup artist working the fashion scene in New York City and Paris. Eventually, she met a permanent makeup artist in Paris who changed the trajectory of her career. In 2005, Julie became the first licensed permanent makeup artist in Boston, MA and has been an industry leader since then.

Her permanent makeup studio, Prettyology, is a trusted recommendation for paramedical and cosmetic procedures by Boston’s top physicians, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons. Julie and her team of artists at Prettyology have extensive experience working with cancer survivors and burn victims, as well as clients with alopecia, bell’s palsy, trichotillomania and numerous other medical conditions. Julie has served as an advisor for permanent makeup regulations for the Public Health Commission in several towns and cities in eastern Massachusetts, including Boston.

Julie extended her passion for training mentorship through Prettyology Academy, offering rigorous, accredited training programs—including advanced paramedical courses in 3D Areola, Scar Correction & Camouflage & Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP). Julie is passionate about industry education and ensures that her students are equipped with real-world skills and ongoing support.

https://prettyology.com/

https://www.prettyologyacademy.com/

Mandy Sauler is a pioneer and powerhouse in the field of paramedical and permanent makeup tattooing. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Mandy has transformed lives one tattoo at a time, using her art as a bridge between physical healing and emotional restoration. From scar camouflage to 3D areola-nipple tattooing and medical tattoo education, her work continues to shape the gold standard in this rapidly evolving industry.

As the Founder of the Sauler Institute of Tattooing, Mandy has not only built an elite training academy but also a global movement dedicated to empowering artists to serve clients with compassion, clinical skill, and artistic precision. Her courses—ranging from beginner fundamentals to advanced medical tattooing—have reached thousands of students worldwide, many of whom now lead successful practices of their own. She is also the creator of the Tattoo Mentor App, the first platform of its kind designed to connect artists to expert-led mentorship and continuing education at their fingertips.

Mandy’s work has been published in respected medical journals, solidifying her as a thought leader in the integration of medical tattooing into the broader healthcare landscape. She has collaborated with top surgeons, oncologists, and dermatologists across the country, and has become a trusted tattoo provider and consultant for some of the leading hospitals in the United States. Her contributions to post-surgical recovery for breast cancer survivors, gender-affirming care, and trauma patients have earned her the respect of both the medical and tattoo communities.

She brings to the stage not just technical expertise, but a genuine passion for healing through art. Mandy blends the raw experience of a traditional tattoo artist with the sterile, precise needs of clinical settings. Her unique approach—rooted in years of traditional body art training—gives her an edge in delivering natural, long-lasting results that withstand the test of time.

Beyond her technical achievements, Mandy is a speaker, educator, and mentor who believes in building a purpose-driven career. She’s dedicated to helping artists not only master their craft but also find the “why” behind their work. Through “The Giveback Effect” initiative, she encourages tattoo professionals to integrate cause-based efforts into their business models, proving that purpose and profit can coexist.

Mandy’s commitment to pushing the industry forward is unwavering. As keynote speaker at this year’s paramedical conference, she brings bold insight, authenticity, and a contagious drive to elevate medical tattooing to its rightful place in modern medicine. Her mission? To make sure no one walks away feeling average—and that every artist in the room feels capable of changing lives.

https://www.saulerinstitute.com/

A Leader, Educator & Industry Advocate, Shanan Zickefoose is a nationally recognized expert in permanent makeup (PMU) and safety standards in tattooing. She began her PMU career in 2006, completing over 300 hours of foundational training—well ahead of industry norms and in full compliance with Oklahoma’s licensing requirements. Drawn to excellence, she joined the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) in 2007, aligning with their high standards and commitment to professional integrity.

In 2010, Shanan made history as the first person in Oklahoma to earn the Certified Permanent Cosmetic Professional (CPCP) credential, earning the highest exam score that year. Her leadership continued on the SPCP Board of Directors from 2011 to 2013, where she served as Secretary and Communications Chair. She went on to become an SPCP Trainer Member and Subject Matter Expert, helping shape the future of PMU education. Since 2017, she has led SPCP’s Train the Trainer program—guiding professionals to become certified trainers themselves. She continues to teach and update this program both online and at live SPCP events.

Shanan holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Tulsa, with a clinical background that deeply informs her work in PMU—particularly her focus on infection control. After her daughter’s battle with cancer and a life-threatening bacterial infection, Shanan became a passionate advocate for safe tattoo practices. In 2018, she authored the Principles of Infection Control for the Tattoo Industry, a landmark guide for both tattoo and PMU professionals.

Her dedication to education, safety, and ethical practice has earned her multiple industry honors, including the SPCP Industry Ambassador Award in 2019.

A sought-after speaker on infection control and professional standards, Shanan has presented to regulators and tattoo professionals at major global events, including:

* AFDO (American Food and Drug Officials) Annual Meeting (2023)

* Japanese Medical Tattoo Association (JMTA) Conference, Keynote Speaker (2024, Nagoya, Japan)

Today, Shanan trains artists across all levels—beginner to advanced—offering clear, structured education focused on both artistry and health. Her students span the globe, and she remains committed to raising the bar for safety and skill in the evolving PMU field.

https://thetattooresource.com/