Nipple correction

Nipple correction is certainly not one of the milestones in plastic surgery, but the procedures can be performed successfully with little effort. As a rule, the nipple corrections described below can be performed under local anesthesia and take an average of 20-40 minutes.

The recovery period after a nipple correction is short. There are no major restrictions as with other more complex plastic surgery operations.

Nipple augmentation is an increasingly popular nipple correction procedure.

This form of nipple correction is becoming increasingly popular in the USA as a way of living up to the idealized female body depicted in the advertising media. Women with small, inconspicuous nipples in particular are therefore seeking out plastic surgeons to undergo nipple augmentation.

As a rule, the patient’s own tissue (cartilage or a piece of dermis) is surgically transplanted into the nipple, making it appear more prominent.

Hyaluronic acid, for example, can be injected as a non-surgical treatment. The effect lasts for approx. 1 year. Another non-surgical procedure is the use of vacuum pumps such as the Niplette (see inverted nipples). However, the latter must be used several times a day over a period of several weeks, which means that the time required for this nipple correction is quite high.

Nipple augmentation is often performed as a secondary procedure to other breast operations, such as breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, etc., and can therefore have a positive effect on the aesthetic appearance.

How is a nipple lift or nipple lift performed?

Not only breasts but also nipples can sag and droop to a greater extent, especially if they are enlarged. Nipple correction can be performed as a tightening procedure. Excess tissue is removed, resulting in the nipple being lifted.

Nipple reduction is a common request, especially after breastfeeding.

Nipple reduction is often considered after pregnancy and breastfeeding if the hormonally induced increase in nipple size no longer recedes.

Even if the nipples are too large, nipple correction is possible by removing the excess tissue using wedges. In the case of severe nipple hypertrophy (enlargement beyond the norm), the wedges must be removed in the form of a Mercedes star to prevent deformation of the nipples. Overall, this is a minor procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia.

How is nipple correction performed after breast cancer surgery?

In most cases, reconstruction is a medically justified nipple correction that is covered by health insurance. After a mastectomy (ablation) and other breast operations, the nipples and areola are lost.

These can be reconstructed by skin grafting (usually skin from the groin area or from the other areola) in combination with a so-called flapplasty (skin displacement). Depending on the findings, nipple sharing is also possible (halving the nipple on the other side and transplanting the excess).

The areola can also be adapted to the healthy side by tattooing if the pigmentation is poor.

Of the options presented on this page, this form of nipple correction is the most complex.

How is nipple correction performed for inverted nipples?

Surgery for inverted nipples can initially be attempted conservatively using a niplette. If this is not successful, surgery is indicated.

You can find more information on this topic under inverted nipples / inverted nipples.

Areola correction is not a nipple correction!

An areola correction does not refer to the nipple, but generally to a reduction of the usually pigmented areola. The operation is technically very similar to a breast lift with the incision only around the areola (periareolar).

The difference is that only the tissue on the areola is reduced. No incisions are made in the area of the normal skin. A nipple correction, as described in the paragraphs above, can also be performed at the same time if this is desired or necessary.
You can find more information under areola reduction.