The nipples are the raised, protruding portions of the skin that are at the centre of each breast. The darker-coloured area that surrounds it is the areola. Both of them are an aesthetically-recognized feature of the breast and linked to their sexual, erogenous status.
Everyone has an idea of how nipples should look like, but not all nipples can meet those expectations. Cosmetic procedures for the nipples and areolas seek to correct such imperfections and bring on a desirable look.
The Nipples and Areolas’ Cosmetic Procedures
There are procedures to address different aesthetic aspects and conditions of the nipples and areolas. They are performed either individually or together with a breast enhancement surgery.
Nipple Reduction
As a common consequence of breastfeeding, the nipples can become enlarged. They often hang downwards instead of erect, forward-facing. In some cases, they develop this way at the very onset of puberty itself.
The surgery is also appealing to patients with large nipples, known as ‘hypertrophic nipples. The condition can also result in pain from rubbing the nipple against clothing.
During the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision under the nipple from where to proceed cutting it. After, the closing of the incision with sutures.
Nipple Lift
It is possible to relocate nipples that hang lowly with a nipple lift. The surgery is jointly performed with a breast lift or breast augmentation procedure. The surgeon makes an incision on the top part of the areola following its border; from it, they raise the nipple. Centring or furthering apart the nipples during the procedure is also possible.
Inverted Nipple Correction
Inverted nipples are, when it doesn’t protrude but rather it’s buried, within the surrounding breast tissue. The nipple can either come out when manually stimulated or not come out at all. Cuts at base-level on the nipple will release it. The surgery also has a slight chance of severing the milk ducts, disabling breastfeeding, this, however, is rare.
Accessory Breast Tissue and Supernumerary Nipples
Some people can actually have more than two nipples on their bodies. Supernumerary nipples often have accessory breast tissue surrounding it. Besides looking odd, these nipples sometimes can actually lactate, adding to their awkwardness. Their appearance can range from mole-like small to similar to the main nipples. A straightforward surgical excision removes the accessory breast tissue and supernumerary nipples.
Areola Alteration
This one is also known as ‘designer areola’. It alters the size and shape of the areola, either enlarging or reducing it to create the desired, appealing form. The procedure cuts and manipulates the skin around or within the pigmented area and sutures it as needed. The scars around the areolas take up to a full year to heal.
Male Nipple Enhancement
Due to the condition is known as gynecomastia, some men have excessive breast tissue developed on their chests. The enlargement of it lets the mass hanging, resembling pair of female breasts. Due to the stretching gynecomastia also alter the nipple position and appearance by enlarging it. A male nipple enhancement procedure includes chest enhancement to remove most of the breast tissue.