What is areola reduction surgery?

Areola reduction is a cosmetic surgery designed to reshape and resize the areola — this is the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple. Some people feel that their areolae are disproportionately large, and look to a reduction procedure to address the issue.

The aim of the surgery is to improve symmetry and decrease the size of the areola, making them more proportionate to the size of the breasts.

Many patients may opt for an areola reduction surgery following a breast reduction to ensure everything is proportional. A decrease in breast tissue may result in an excess of areola skin, and nipple correction surgery can provide a more natural look.

What is the procedure for areola reduction?

In a procedure that generally lasts around one hour, the surgeon makes two incisions that follow the outer edges of the areola and removes the skin between them. How much skin is removed depends on the size of the reduction necessary. Dissolvable sutures bring the two incisions together and thus create a permanent change to the areola.

Who is the ideal candidate for areola reduction?

The most important factors for undergoing areola reduction surgery are:

•  Being in good physical and psychological health
•  Being as close to an ideal weight as possible, or having a BMI of 30 or below
•  Having realistic expectations regarding the outcomes of areola reduction procedure

Are there any risks to areola reduction?

Areola reduction is generally considered to be very safe, but any surgical procedure carries certain risks. You may experience: 

• Slow or delayed healing
• Visible scars
•  Loss of nipple sensation
• Infection
• Difficulties with breastfeeding

Can you still breastfeed following areola reduction?

There should be no issues breastfeeding after areola reduction. Provided it is performed correctly, the procedure should not damage the milk ducts below the nipples that are integral to successful breastfeeding.

What is the recovery following areola reduction?

The downtime after areola reduction is relatively short compared to other cosmetic surgeries. Within 1-2 days patients should feel comfortable returning to work, then after two weeks they should be able to return to even strenuous exercise. Any residual inflammation from the surgery is likely to disappear within six weeks.