If you hate the look of your nipples and/or areolas, chances are you 1) are too embarrassed to discuss it with anyone, and 2) don't think very seriously about doing something about it. But maybe you should get over both those notions and consider nipple repair or areola reduction. Here's why.
Perhaps more than any other feature of the breasts, up to and including size, your nipples and areolas contribute to the overall appearance of these most important female body parts. Think about it. Even very small or extremely large breasts with proportionally sized, symmetrical areolas can look feminine and appealing. But take those same breasts and imagine them with very large, oddly shaped areolas and/or large nipples that protrude far from the skin surface. It's no wonder a woman who is unhappy with her nipples and areolas may feel generally dissatisfied with her breasts.
Now, before this article starts a flame war like the one touched off by a tuberous breast piece months ago, remember that it's what each individual woman feels about her body that counts. Like it or not, we are bombarded with images of "ideal" and "normal" physiques. Still, when someone's appearance falls outside the norm or simply reflects the aging process, oftentimes it's no big deal. A partner worth having doesn't focus on a ski jump nose or care at all about a tummy pooch, and many women aren't bothered by such things either. But it's understandable that some women feel unhappy about an aspect of their appearance to the extent that it affects quality of life. In that case, addressing a problem with a minor surgical procedure can be an uplifting, even life-changing, experience.
If you’re someone who's dissatisfied with her nipples or areolas, the other thing to consider is that changing their appearance should be very straightforward. In the hands of a skilled, experienced plastic surgeon, nipple repair and areola correction are minor procedures with very little risk.
If your areolas are too large or misshapen, they can be reduced. Most often this involved removing a doughnut shaped ring from the outer or inner edge of the areola. Areola reduction can involve a more extensive “lollipop” approach if they are very large.
Nipple reduction is a very straightforward procedure you can investigate if you have protruding nipples. An experienced surgeon can remove a small piece off the end to reduce nipple length, or a V-shaped portion from underneath for a nipple reduction in width.
Some women are born with inverted nipples, in other words, nipples that sink inward instead of projecting outward. There are different grades of inversion, ranging from slight (nipples poke out when aroused) to severe (nipples never poke out). No matter what grade your inversion might be, it's still a simple procedure to reverse their direction. Nipple repair in this case involves snipping the fibers that pull the nipple inward and placing sutures to cause the nipple to heal in the right direction.
Just because nipple repair and areola reduction are relatively minor procedures doesn’t mean just anyone can perform them. You still want to find a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this area. That way, you’ll have the best chance of sailing through surgery, returning to your activities in just a couple of days and retaining sensation and the ability to breastfeed.