Objective To investigate the application effect of nipple-areola reconstruction combined with enhanced 3D medical tattoo technology in patients with breast cancer. Methods From June 2017 to March 2024, 76 patients with breast cancer admitted to the People’s Hospital of Liaoning Province and Shenyang Heping Baijiali Medical Cosmetology Hospital were selected as the research subjects, and they were randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 38 patients in each group. The control group was given nipple-areola reconstruction, and the observation group was given enhanced 3D medical tattoo technology after nipple-areola reconstruction. The operation-related indexes, psychological state, complications and survival quality were compared between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference in the suture removal time and postoperative chemotherapy start time between the two groups (P >0.05). The hospitalization time of the observation group was shorter than that of the control group (P <0.05). After treatment, the scores of SDS and SAS in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). The incidence of flap effusion and upper limb mobility disorders on the affected side in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). The incidence of tissue necrosis in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P <0.05). After treatment, the survival quality score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion The application effect of nippleareola reconstruction combined with enhanced 3D medical tattoo technology in patients with breast cancer is accurate. It can avoid traditional surgical trauma, shorten hospitalization time and reduce the incidence of tissue necrosis. It has positive significance for improving patients’ psychological state and survival quality, and is conducive to promoting the rapid recovery of patients.