ioana-cristiana-Sf3BP4gEg-M-unsplash

Nipples, we all have them, and they are entirely unique. Aside from differences in size, shape, and color, protrusion is another characteristic that varies from person to person. For some, it doesn’t happen often, if at all. No, this isn’t an excerpt from a *Sex And The City* episode — it’s a concern women *and* men face. It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of the female population experiences inverted nipples, and there are many ways to address it. Whether the desire for a more projected look is for aesthetic or functional (think: breastfeeding) reasons, we’re breaking down the treatment options for inverted nipples. 

## **What Are Inverted Nipples?**
Before we get started, it’s important to note that inverted nipples are a benign condition if you’ve always had them. If you experience a sudden nipple inversion, however, it is important to consult with a medical professional, as it could be a symptom of [breast cancer](https://aedit.com/aedition/category/breast-cancer-awareness) or another medical condition. 

Anatomically speaking, the nipple is the part of the areola (the circular ring of pigmented skin around the nipple) that typically protrudes through stimulation or a decrease in temperature. If that doesn’t happen, it may be because the nipple is inverted. “Inverted nipples may be congenital (many patients are born with them) or can be caused by breastfeeding (due to milk duct scarring), trauma, cancer, surgery, or infection,” says [Umbareen Mahmood, MD](https://aedit.com/provider/umbareen-mahmood-md-23), a New York-based board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

To better understand the difference between permanently inverted nipples and those that lay flat on occasion, the technical categorization is as follows: 

- **Grade 1**: “The nipple is either flat or mildly inverted,” Dr. Mahmood explains. “It is easily manually everted, can become everted by touch or temperature, and it maintains its projection.”
- **Grade 2**: “The nipple is manually retractable, but with difficulty, and the nipple tends to retract again immediately,” she says. 
- **Grade 3**: The most severe form, Dr. Mahmood shares that this level of inversion does not allow for manual retraction and “breastfeeding is unlikely.” 

No matter where someone falls on the scale, there are options for those who want a more everted appearance that can be done at home, in a piercing studio, or with the help of a medical professional. 

## **Non-Surgical Solutions for Inverted Nipples**
Depending on your anatomy, you may or may not be aware that there’s a whole world of [nipple protruding techniques](https://aedit.com/aedition/cosmetic-breast-procedures-for-the-nipple-and-areola) and devices on the market. Suction products, massage options, and even piercings claim to help the nipple protrude. 

- **At-Home Exercises**: For those with grade 1 or grade 2 levels, Dr. Mahmood recommends “manual at-home exercises that place pressure at the base of the nipple or suction cup devices that are placed over the nipple and gently stretch the ducts over time.”  
- **Nipple Piercings**: Nipple piercings with barbells are another non-surgical treatment to keep nipples everted for grades 1 and 2, Dr. Mahmood notes. The piercing is not nearly as painful as it sounds and should heal in a few months if proper protocol (wearing a compression garment like a sports bra for the first few days and cleaning regularly) is followed. Another benefit? Many cite an increase in sensitivity to the area after piercing. 

If the at-home methods aren’t working and you aren’t interested in a piercing, surgery may be the best solution. 

## **Surgical Solutions for Inverted Nipples** 
[Inverted nipple repair](https://aedit.com/procedure/inverted-nipples) is a relatively simple surgery performed under local anesthesia that offers permanent results. A small incision is made at the base of the nipple so that “the constricted and tethered ducts [can be] released,” Dr. Mahmood explains. A suture is then placed at the base to support the released nipple. “Pain is very minimal, but there may be some soreness,” she says. Work can be resumed within a few days but patients are “advised to abstain from vigorous exercise for two weeks.” 

Some patients may experience a loss of sensation after surgery, though it is rare. “Nipple sensation is rarely affected after the surgery,” Dr. Mahmood says. Breastfeeding is another consideration. “Nipple stretching techniques for grade 1 and grade 2 do not affect breastfeeding, as milk ducts are left intact,” she explains. “For grade 3, the constricted ducts need to be divided, which will impact breastfeeding.” While diminished milk supply is a potential side effect, “things like pumping as well as medications that stimulate milk production can help women breastfeed,” she adds. 

At the end of the day, women who wish to [breastfeed](https://aedit.com/aedition/how-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding-impact-breast-implants) need to weigh their options. “It depends on how critical breastfeeding is to them,” Dr. Mahmood says. “If they are a grade 3, they may have zero chance at breastfeeding whereas, with the surgery, they may be able to.” 

## **The Takeaway** 
Inverted nipples are often a genetic condition that is not a cause for concern — unless it happens suddenly. In such cases, [breast checks](https://aedit.com/aedition/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-lump-in-your-breast-breast-cancer-awareness) are necessary. While there are non-surgical solutions for those with grade 1 and grade 2 inversion, women who are grade 3 and want a chance to breastfeed may consider an inverted nipple repair surgery. 

Aesthetics

Whether it’s for aesthetics or breastfeeding, there are surgical and non-surgical solutions to treat inverted nipples.

Inverted Nipple Repair Surgery And Body Piercings

Why You Should Stay Abreast Of This Nipple Projection Procedure

shutterstock 1124372537-min

Free the nipple! Even just the casual social media user has likely noticed the ever-popular hashtag turn up in their feed as celebrities like Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and more step out sans-bra or pose topless in an effort to end the censorship of women's breasts. 

While the campaign is culturally relevant, the current obsession with the nipple also fits into a larger trend in plastic surgery. Breasts themselves are — literally and figuratively — bigger than ever. A recent report from the [American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/new-statistics-reveal-the-shape-of-plastic-surgery) showed that [breast augmentation](https://aedit.com/procedure/breast-augmentation-with-fat-transfer) was the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States in 2017, and the number of [breast implant](https://aedit.com/procedure/breast-augmentation-with-implants) procedures increased three percent from the previous year.

But it’s not just women who are opting for breast surgeries and, in turn, paying more attention to their nipples. [Leif Rogers, MD](https://aedit.com/provider/leif-rogers-md-578), a Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon, says [men are just as interested](https://aedit.com/aedition/what-you-need-to-know-about-male-plastic-surgery-trends). Male patients are asking for nipple lifts at a growing rate after seeing bare-chested actors with high nipples on TV and in the movies. Call it the “*Game of Thrones* effect."

With nipple aesthetics now officially a part of the breast-enhancement conversation, there are four main types of cosmetic procedures that improve the appearance of the nipple and its surrounding pinkish-brown skin (i.e. the areola) to know about. Primarily performed by a cosmetic surgeon on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, these nipple surgeries address everything from size and shape to projection. 

## __1. Inverted Nipple Correction__

[Inverted nipples](https://aedit.com/procedure/inverted-nipples) describe instances in which the nipple points inward and looks as though it has been sucked up into the areola. “It occurs when ductal tissue is holding down the nipple, causing it to contract,” says [Michael Frederick, MD](https://aedit.com/provider/michael-frederick-md-643), a plastic surgeon at Hass Plastic Surgery & MediSpa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. And there are an array of surgical procedures that can be done to correct it.

One such option for patients who do not intend to breastfeed in the future involves a small incision being made under the nipple to release the ducts that are causing the nipple to be tethered. A suture is then placed beneath the nipple to keep it pointing out. If the patient would like to maintain the ability to breastfeed, a slightly more unconventional course of action is recommended. “The best choice is literally to get the nipples pierced, because the post will keep the nipple from inverting and will eventually stretch out the ducts,” says Dr. Rogers.

He notes that while inverted nipples are a benign condition if you’ve had them since childhood, it’s important to see your doctor if you suddenly experience a nipple inversion as it could be a sign of breast cancer or another medical concern. “A newly inverted nipple can be an indication of an abnormal growth in the breast,” explains Dr. Rogers. 

__Price:__ $3,500-$5,000

## __2. Areola Reduction__

Large breasts usually (though not always) have [large areolas](https://aedit.com/procedure/nipple-augmentation), and breastfeeding can cause the area to stretch out even more. But what is the ideal proportion? “The optimal size, based on clinical studies, is a diameter of four centimeters," says Dr. Rogers. "This is the size I do for both my male and female patients, and they all like it."

In a 2016 survey conducted by [The Plastic Surgery Group](https://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92248/in-search-of-the-perfect-nipple-the-rise-of-the/), 131 people were shown images of breasts and asked to rate the attractiveness of the areola and nipple area on a scale of one to five. The researchers discovered that smaller areolas and nipples are considered more attractive than larger ones.

Dr. Rogers explains that he “reduces the size of the areola with every [breast lift](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://aedit.com/procedure/breast-lift-mastopexy&sa=D&ust=1575569426696000&usg=AFQjCNE83ZaEhUobmYc5gHgoSzQW3Wa1aw)” and [breast reduction](https://aedit.com/procedure/breast-reduction) by removing a donut of skin around the outermost part of the area. The new perimeter of the areola is then stitched to the (regular) breast skin around it, and the ability to breastfeed is not impacted.

But, alas, it's not a permanent fix — the areola can expand again over time. “There are some newer ways of doing it that can improve the stability of the reduction," he says. "A nonpermanent mesh can be placed under the skin to help stabilize and reduce enlargement of the areola.” 

__Price:__ $6,000-$10,000 (depending on what additional cosmetic breast procedure is coupled with it)

## __3. Nipple Reduction__

Sometimes it’s not the areola that a patient feels is too big, but the nipple itself. A study from [Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2740602/) revealed that the optimal nipple projection is eight-millimeters and the optimal width is also eight millimeters, although the acceptable size of the nipple can fall in the six- to 10-millimeter range.

Making a large nipple smaller is a fairly simple process. A board certified plastic surgeon measures eight millimeters from the tip and draws a circle to mark it off as the new base. Circular incisions are made at both the original base of the nipple and the desired new base. The skin between the two incisions is then removed and the area is stitched up. Any additional nipple width is reduced by measuring eight millimeters across and excising a rectangle of extra skin on each side. [Nipple reduction](https://aedit.com/procedure/nipple-reduction) can sometimes impact breastfeeding, and those considering nursing should talk to their doctor beforehand. 

__Price:__ $2,500-$3,500

## __4. Nipple Lift__

Another factor in overall breast attractiveness: nipple placement. According to a 2016 study in the journal of [Aesthetic Plastic Surgery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5030227/), men and women were shown images of breasts with the nipple in different places, and both male and female respondents indicated that the most desirable position for women was in the middle of the breast vertically and ever so slightly lateral to the midpoint horizontally. To achieve this placement, a breast lift with areola reduction (*see above*) will result in a perkier, better-positioned areola and nipple. 

For men, a nipple lift can be done to raise the areola slightly on the chest. Dr. Rogers says a plastic surgeon will remove a crescent of skin above the areola and stitch the skin back together, leaving the entire chest area looking more chiseled and masculine. 

__Price:__ Varies

For all the talk about busts, nipples have always flown under the radar — until now. Here, four cosmetic surgery procedures to enhance the most prominent part of the breast.

AEDIT

AEDIT