Areolar Reduction

Overview

Areola reduction techniques are available for both men and women who seek to address expansion of the pigmented skin patches surrounding the nipples. The treatment is sometimes performed to tighten deflated areolas or to produce better symmetry in the breasts. It can be done in conjunction with other treatments or as a stand-alone procedure. When performed alone, it is a short procedure with a two-day recovery period.

What is Areola Reduction?

Areola Reduction

The nipple is a tiny protrusion in the center of the breast, and the areola is the pigmented area around it. The Nipple Areola Complex is important in breast attractiveness. The size, shape, location, positioning, and direction of this surgery vary from person to person, making it unique to each individual.

Correcting big nipples, puffy areolas, or both is sometimes all that is required to enhance the look of the breasts. These are fairly prevalent in both men and women, and they can arise on one or both sides. Genetics, hormones, age, or stress can all contribute to these disorders. Patients may choose to get this surgery because they are selfconscious, while others need it for medical reasons such as nursing difficulties.

Reasons to get an Areola Reduction

Areola Reduction

1. Puffy Areolas

Breast tissue often pushes the areolas forward, resulting in puffy areolas. Tuberous breasts are a genetic condition in which the base of the breast is narrowed and the inframammary fold or breast crease is high up on the chest wall, giving the breast an elongated, tubular appearance. Areola reduction surgery, with or without a breast lift or reduction, can address puffy areolas.

2. Asymmetrical Areolas

If one areola is bigger than the other, the surgeon will trim the larger areola to match the smaller areola, making them more symmetrical.

3. Noncircular Areolas

Areola borders are generally circular, however they can be oval or irregularly shaped in some situations. To make them look more round, areola surgery might be performed.

Ideal Candidates

Candidates for areola reduction surgery

Candidates for areola reduction surgery should be in good health and have reasonable expectations about the operation. These people might be those who:

Have stretched areolas due to excessive weight loss
Dislike their areolas after pregnancy or breastfeeding
Have puffy or protruding areolas
Have mismatched areolas

Females should postpone areola reduction surgery until their breasts have completed developing fully. This is generally by their late teens or early twenties. Males seeking areola reduction surgery may be able to have it performed at a younger age than ladies.

Your safety is paramount in this, as in any elective operation. You must be in good health, and any health issues you may have must be carefully managed. If you were recently pregnant, you should wait a year following birth to enable the areolae to shrink as much as possible. If you are nursing, it is suggested that you wait at least three months after milk supply has finished to avoid difficulties.

How should I prepare for Areola Reduction Surgery?

The normal components listed on any preoperative checklist are included in areola reduction preparation. The most critical step is to schedule an in-person consultation to discuss your concerns, the intricacies of areola reduction, and the expected outcome. Before proceeding, the risks, advantages, recovery information, and any alternatives are reviewed so that your decision is informed and you feel comfortable. Your health is evaluated, and suitable measures are advised. It is suggested that you avoid drugs, herbs, and supplements that raise your risk of bleeding.

The Procedure

Areola surgery preparation

Outpatient nipple and/or areola surgery is performed under local anaesthetic. The surgeon uses common ways to do nipple and/or areola reductions, but because each patient is unique and has distinct preferences, each patient obtains a highly personalized treatment based on these basic methods.

The nipple stays linked to the body during your nipple reduction surgery, and the natural blood supply is not interrupted. Various surgical procedures are employed and tailored to your individual needs and aspirations. Please keep in mind that not every female can breastfeed, regardless of whether surgery was performed or not, since there is a hereditary component to breastfeeding capacity.

A small incision near the base of the nipple is usually made to allow the surgeon access to the fibers that are pulling the nipple inward. He then cuts the tethering fibers and sutures the incision closed, allowing the nipple to face outward.

The blood supply and milk ducts remain intact after areola reduction. To achieve long-lasting results, a purse string suture procedure is used. To achieve the correct size, two circular and concentric incisions are made around the areola. The "extra" areola skin is removed, but the nipple is left alone. The incision is then 'purse stringed' closed with a permanent suture, resulting in a long-lasting to permanent decrease in size. This procedure has the additional benefit of creating a modest breast lift.

Types Areola Reduction

Types Areola Reduction

Areola Reduction as a Solo Procedure

Areola reduction is a modest surgical treatment when performed alone. It is frequently performed under local anaesthetic; but, in some cases, conscious sedation or general anesthesia may be preferable. Only the extra, peripheral areolar skin is removed, leaving the nipple and center region of the areola connected to the breast. Because the pigment is only found on the surface of the skin, just a tiny layer is removed.

Fine sutures are inserted beneath the skin's borders to reattach the areola to the surrounding skin. A restraining suture may be applied to assist preserve the smaller areola's circumference during major reductions. When desired, a little breast lift is added with this method. A periareolar breast lift cannot be used in place of a conventional breast lift. If the technique is overworked, the areola may stretch and become overly big again.

Areola Reduction with Breast Reduction

Areola reduction may be implemented as a gratifying component of your breast reduction surgery (Reduction Mammoplasty) when big areolae are related with heavy breasts that cause neck and back pain. Breast reduction surgery is used to lower the volume of enlarged breasts and treat the symptoms that come with them. Breast reduction not only reduces the volume of your breasts, but it also lifts them and repositions the nipple and areola higher on the breast mound. During most breast reductions, the nipple and areola remain linked to the breast tissue, thus areola reduction is a simple procedure with no extra scars.

Areola Reduction with Breast Lift

The enlarged areolae associated with sagging breasts can be addressed during a breast lift treatment for patients. The incision required for your breast lift also serves as the incision for areola reduction surgery. The areolae are decreased and relocated while remaining attached to the underlying breast tissue, allowing for maximum circulation and feeling.

Areola Reduction with Tubular Breasts

Areola reduction is an important aspect of the treatment for people with tubular breasts. Because breast tissue can herniate into the areolae, generating puffy nipples, tubular breasts are frequently accompanied with larger and full areolae. Because the areola has been reduced, the breast tissue is restricted to the breast mound and cannot over-inflate the areolae. As a consequence, the breast mound is less tubular and more rounded, making it more appealing.

How does Male Areola Reduction Work?

Male Areola Reduction

Male areola reduction can be done alone or in conjunction with another breast treatment. Gynecomastia surgery is the most frequent breast operation for males (male breast reduction). The areola is frequently swollen in men with gynecomastia. Areola reduction can produce a more manly chest by reducing the overall size of the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple. Nipple reduction may be beneficial when the nipple is big.

Areola Reduction as a Solo Procedure

Male areola reduction, like female areola reduction, is a modest surgical operation when performed alone. It can be done under local anesthetic, although conscious sedation or general anesthesia are also options. Because the pigment is only found in the top layer of the skin, only a tiny amount of skin must be removed. After removing the surplus pigmented areola skin, tiny sutures are used to inset the new smaller areola into the surrounding skin. Men seldom require a restricting suture. Gynecomastia reduction is performed concurrently when the areola is full or protruding.

Areola Reduction with Gynecomastia Reduction

Areola reduction surgery can be used with gynecomastia reduction surgery. When the areola is big, reduction might give it a more manly look. Male areolae are smaller, lower, lateral, and oval in shape than female areolae. For best outcomes, pay close attention to the details. The periareolar incision used for areola reduction can also be employed to gain access to the enlarged male breast tissue. The areola is flattened by eliminating superfluous tissue.

Recovery from Areola Reduction Surgery

Areola Reduction Surgery Recovery

Areola reduction recovery is often rapid and painless. Steri-Strips are used to cover the surgical site and should be left in place until the doctor removes them. Although bleeding should be minor, gauze is placed in the bra just in case. Pain medicine is frequently given, although over-the-counter treatments such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ice, and elevation are frequently sufficient. Because most prescription pain medications already contain acetaminophen, acetaminophen should be taken instead of with them.

Showering is normally allowed 24 hours following the treatment, but the incisions should not be immersed until the doctor says your areola reduction has fully healed. You will be seen in the clinic for routine follow-up appointments, and further scar minimization treatments and instructions will be updated as needed during the healing process.

How noticeable are the scars from Areola Reduction?

Scars from Areola Reduction

Scars from areola reduction vary widely in appearance. The majority of scars are smooth and flat, but others are broad, pigmented, or elevated, making them more conspicuous. Although meticulous surgical technique and postoperative scar care might be beneficial, how your body heals is sometimes driven by genetics and is not always under your control.

A vertical scar is utilized to relieve stress on the periareolar scar after substantial reductions and when areola reduction is paired with a major breast lift. This can aid in scar width management and provide a more aesthetic effect.

How likely is loss of Nipple Sensation after Areola Reduction?

After Areola Reduction

Areola reduction techniques frequently retain nipple sensitivity. The nerve to the nipple is maintained from below. Changes in nipple sensitivity can occur, resulting in increased or reduced sensation. The majority of the time, nipple feeling returns to normal within a few months in circumstances when it changes. Sometimes nipple feeling is lost and never regained, and this is more common the bigger the reduction performed and the more strain imposed on the remaining areolar skin. A vertical scar can aid to retain nipple sensitivity and alleviate periareolar tension.

How soon will I see results from A Nipple/Areola Reduction?

After your surgery, you will have surgical tape and a dressing over your nipples or areolas, which will be removed during your one-week follow-up visit. When the bandages and sutures are removed, you will notice a significant improvement in the form and size of your nipples or areolas. Over the next six weeks, as the swelling and bruising subside, you will see them take their final shape.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, there could be complications such as:

Infection
Bruising
Swelling

Specific complications of areola reduction may include:

Loss of sensation in your nipples
Reduced ability to breastfeed

How much does Areola Reduction Cost?

The cost of reducing areola varies. There is no additional payment for areola removal if you are undergoing a breast lift or breast reduction for ladies. It is an essential component of the technique. If you merely need an areola reduction, the cost varies depending on the time necessary and the type of anesthetic used. The time required for reduction is frequently determined by the approach used. Vertical lifts take more time than periareolar reductions. There are three anesthetic options: local alone, local plus IV sedation, and general anesthesia.

Conclusion

The circle of pigmented skin present around the nipple is reduced by areola reduction surgery. It is done on both men and women and is frequently combined with breast reduction, breast lift, gynecomastia reduction, nipple reduction, or inverted nipple correction treatments. The areola enlarges and darkens spontaneously in response to hormones released during puberty and pregnancy. The areolar enlargement seen during pregnancy often persists after nursing ends, and may even persist when the breasts lose volume.

A big areola is frequently connected with male breast growth (gynecomastia) and has a feminizing influence on the look of the breasts in males. Areola reduction, which can minimize the size of huge areolae, is frequently done in the office under local anesthetic. In most cases, the recuperation time is brief.