Areola Reduction

What Is an Areola Reduction?

The areola is the dark-colored skin on your breast that surrounds your nipple. If your areola looks too large in relation to the rest of your breast, the effect makes your otherwise nicely rounded breasts seem unsightly or just unusual. To correct the problem, areola reduction surgery is an ideal, minimally invasive solution.

Areola reduction is a surgical procedure that reduces the diameter of the dark, pigmented area around your nipples. The average diameter of an areola is about 4.7 cm or slightly more than an inch and three quarters. The perfect size of your areola, however, depends on multiple factors, such as your bust size and height.

Is Areola Reduction a Standalone Procedure?

With areola surgery, you improve the overall appearance of your breasts. An areola reduction is a common complementary procedure when you get a breast enhancement. A top breast surgeon can carry out the areola reduction on its own or combine it with other procedures, including a:

• Breast reduction
• Breast lift
• Breast lift with implants
• Breast revision
• Tuberous breast correction

View the Breast Augmentation Before and After

If you worry about the large size of your areolas, talk to an experienced cosmetic surgeon. At the private practice of Rowe Plastic Surgery in New Jersey and New York, the cosmetic surgeons are experts in all breast surgical procedures. These board-certified plastic surgeons use advanced techniques for areola reduction and other forms of breast surgeries. During your consultation, tell the doctor about your goals and concerns. If you need an areola reduction, you learn what to expect.

Is a Nipple Reduction a Normal Part of Areola Surgery?

Many women get a nipple reduction — or even a nipple enlargement — with an areola reduction. Nipple reduction is a cosmetic procedure that makes your nipples smaller and less protruding. Nipple enlargement is the opposite procedure, creating larger nipples on your breasts. Each areola and nipple create a focus on your breast, and symmetry and appeal are the dual goals.

Your surgeon may recommend a nipple reduction as a standalone procedure or together with other nipple procedures, such as a nipple reconstruction and correction. In most cases, these procedures complement each other to improve the appearance of your breasts. Some candidates for nipple reduction surgery also require areola reduction. The situations where the two cosmetic reduction procedures are necessary include:

• After significant weight loss, causing stretched areolas and nipples
• After breastfeeding, when your nipples and/or areolas don’t return to their normal size
• As part of other breast enhancement surgeries, such as a breast lift, implants or reduction
• If you have asymmetrical nipples or areolas
• If your nipples are long or droopy
• If your nipples are surrounded by overly large areolas
• If you feel embarrassed during intimacy because of the appearance of your nipples or areolas
• If your nipple and areola are out of balance with your breast

For the best outcome from nipple surgery reduction, your surgeon may recommend areola reduction as well. If you don’t like the shape of your nipples, don’t forget the areola. After nipple reduction, areola reduction can help you attain more beautiful-looking breasts. Your NYC or NJ breast surgeon works with you to deliver the results you desire.

Who Needs an Areola Reduction?

Do you look in the mirror every time you’re naked and feel like the dark pigmentation around your nipples diminishes the beauty of your breasts? If so, you’re a good candidate for areola reduction surgery. Some other factors that make you a candidate reasons for the procedure include:

• You have non-circular areolas.
• You have extraordinarily puffy areolas.
• You have mismatched areolas when comparing one breast to the other.
• Your areolas have changed after breastfeeding.
• The size of your areolas affects your self-image to the point that they embarrass you.
• You want to combine a breast enhancement procedure with areola reduction to create more attractive breasts.
• You have realistic expectations about the outcome and impact of areola surgery.
• Your breasts are fully developed.
• You’re in good health, with no serious underlying medical conditions.
• You don’t smoke, as smoking can inhibit fast healing after surgery.

Areola surgery candidates aren’t limited to these situations. When you visit a top plastic surgeon in New York City or New Jersey with concern about your areolas, the doctor carries out a thorough examination to qualify you as a candidate. Whatever issue you have, your cosmetic surgeon listens to you and details what you can expect from the procedure.

What Are the Benefits of Areola Reduction?

Areola reduction can have an enormous impact on your sense of self. The procedure can improve intimacy because you no longer feel shy about misshapen or extraordinarily large areolas. If you’re a candidate for this cosmetic breast surgery, but are still unsure about the procedure, consider the benefits, which include:

• More attractive breasts
• Self-confidence to enhance your sex life
• Complementing the effects of weight loss
• Better overall outcomes from a breast lift, reduction or augmentation procedure

When you’re more confident in your body, the confidence gives you a needed boost to your love life. And if you’ve lost weight or noticed unwanted changes in how your breasts appear, you’ll enjoy the results of breast surgery more when your surgeon reduces the size of the areola to reflect your new lovely breast size and shape.

How Do I Prepare for the Procedure of Areola Reduction?

Areola reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure done at your cosmetic surgeon’s office in New York City or New Jersey. Whatever the size or shape of your areolas, your board certified plastic surgeon has the skills and experience to tastefully reduce your areolas. During your procedure, you must be put under general anesthesia, so you don’t feel anything. That also means you need to enlist a friend or family member to drive you home after the procedure.

When you visit a cosmetic breast surgery practice like Rowe Plastic Surgery, your surgeon first examines your breasts and talks to you candidly about your expectations. All experienced plastic surgeons listen to your goals and paint a realistic picture of your outcome. While your areolas differ from those of others, the general steps involved in the procedure include:

• Once the anesthesia has begun working, your surgeon removes the outer section of your areola.
• The doctor then gathers the surrounding skin to surround the smaller remaining areola.
• Your doctor secures the newly shaped areola in place.
• Finally, the incision is closed with stitches for the healing to start.

What Are the Details of the Areola Reduction Surgery?

The areola reduction surgical procedure can vary slightly from one patient to another, depending on the reasons for the surgery. Your treatment plan is based on your specific condition. For instance, you may want a standalone areola reduction, a nipple reduction with the areola reduction or an areola reduction as part of breast reduction. The key steps in the areola reduction procedure include:

• Consultation. During your initial visit to a top cosmetic surgeon in NYC or NJ, the doctor examines your breasts, listens to your aesthetic expectations, discusses surgical options, including areola and nipple reduction, and reviews your medical history. Your doctor determines if you’re a suitable candidate for areola reduction. Then you discuss realistic expectations, including during your recovery.
• Preparation. Your plastic surgeon gives you instructions to follow before the surgery. You may be asked to stop taking some medications, including blood thinning drugs. The best cosmetic surgeon also advises you to stop smoking four weeks before the procedure. On the day of the procedure, avoid wearing makeup or using deodorant.
• Before the surgery. Wear comfortable clothing for the surgery and avoid body jewelry. Your surgeon checks your blood pressure before the surgery, and an anesthesiologist administers general anesthesia to prevent any pain. You sleep through the procedure.
• Incisions. The breast surgeon makes two incisions in concentric circles at the edge of the areola. Next, the doctor removes the donut-shaped surface layer of excess skin, reducing the areola. Your surgeon uses absorbable stitches deep inside the areola to secure the skin and reduce scarring. Your surgeon then secures the new areola by closing the incision with surface stitches.
• Dressing. To prevent infection and promote fast healing, the doctor covers the breast in a surgical dressing.
  Release. Because you go under general anesthesia, the staff at Rowe Plastic Surgery monitors you for several hours before you’re released. You can’t drive yourself home after this procedure.

If you’re unsure about any of these procedural details, talk to your cosmetic surgeon. The goal of a top plastic surgeon in NJ or NYC is to communicate clearly about what to expect before, during and after your surgery. With excellent surgical skills, the best surgeon can deliver on his promises.

How’s the Recovery After Areola Reduction Surgery?

Your recovery from areola reduction happens quickly. The procedure has minimal risks and complications. Your board-certified plastic surgeon ensures your safety during and after the surgery. Some points to remember about your recovery after an areola reduction include:

• Expect some soreness and discomfort from the incision area during your recovery. It usually resolves within a few days.
• Your doctor prescribes pain medication for relief, if you need it.
• You can resume normal daily activities in a day or two after your surgery.
• Use a surgical bra to protect your breasts and promote healing for several weeks following the procedure.
• Avoid chest contact for several weeks; give yourself time to heal.
• Avoid strenuous activities or lifting heavy objects during this time.

Your doctor understands how apprehensive you may feel during your recovery. Don’t expect results immediately. You may have to wait several months before the final results are obvious and all the swelling subsides, as the breast tissue settles. The team at Rowe Plastic Surgery remains available to help you during the recovery period.

How Much Does Areola Reduction Cost?

Your areola reduction procedure may differ from the procedure others get. Your specific needs affect the cost. Before the procedure, the doctor determines the best procedure to get positive results and provides an estimate. As a standalone cosmetic procedure, areola reduction cost can range from $2,000 to $5,000. Some factors that affect areola reduction surgery cost include:

• The type of procedure, such as how complex or extensive the surgery is
• The surgeon’s expertise, as more accomplished doctors often charge more
• Any necessary medical tests, including bloodwork
• Additional procedures performed in combination with the areola reduction
• The anesthesiologist’s fees
• The cost of any medications you need during recovery

This cosmetic procedure isn’t covered by most insurance companies, which means you pay the total cost out of pocket. Some practices offer payment plans to help you pay for the procedure. During your consultation, ask your surgeon about payment if it’s an issue for you. He explains the costs involved in the procedure before you agree to it.

How Do I Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon?

For the best results in areola reduction surgery, choose a plastic surgeon who listens to you. You can avoid problems such as crooked nipples or a botched gynecomastia surgery by relying on an experienced cosmetic surgeon. To find the right surgeon for you, consider:

• Certification. Look for a board certified plastic surgeon. Certification requires continuing education to learn the latest techniques.
• Experience. Find a plastic surgeon who’s performed many breast and nipple procedures, including areola reductions.
  Reviews or testimonials. Look at what other patients have to say about the quality of services offered by the surgeon.
• Referrals. Ask your family, friends and colleagues about the best plastic surgeon in NJ and NYC. Ask the cosmetic surgeon to refer past patients you can actually speak with.
• Professional reputation. Find a plastic surgeon who’s a member of professional associations or who has published works in the field.
• The facility. Visit the doctor’s office and assess the hygiene standards, availability of equipment, safety standards and staff qualifications.
• Portfolio. Ask to look through the doctor’s past work to evaluate the quality. The best cosmetic surgeons in NY and NJ encourage you to review their before-and-after photos.

Getting areola reduction from a plastic surgeon with years of experience in cosmetic procedures increases your chances of great results. Board certified surgeons have a reputation to protect. They also offer professional services at state-of-the-art facilities.

Areola Reduction FAQs

• How do I make my nipples smaller? Nipple reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure that can reduce the size of your nipples. The procedure can be part of breast lift, breast augmentation or breast reduction. It can be done at the same time as areola reduction.
• Do areolas shrink with weight loss? If you’ve lost significant weight recently, your areola may get smaller, but not as much you expect. Areola reduction surgery can help reduce the pigmented area around your nipples.
• Does areola reduction leave scars? When making incisions, a top plastic surgeon hides the scars as much as possible. Initially, the scars are visible, but they fade with time. Is the procedure painful? You’re under general anesthesia while your plastic surgeon carries out the areola reduction. You don’t feel pain during the procedure. After the surgery, you can expect some soreness and tenderness, but it usually resolves within a few days.
• Will areola reduction make my nipples less sensitive? No. During the procedure, your surgeon takes care not to affect the nipple’s nerves or blood supply. After the surgery, you may experience some numbness, but this disappears with time.
• Is there a minimum size of areola in areola reduction? Every patient’s areola size is different, based on many factors, including your height. The average areola size is about 4.7 cm or 1.85 inches, but you can discuss with your doctor the optimum size of your areola before your procedure.
• Can I combine areola reduction with other breast procedures? The goal of breast procedures is to enhance the overall appearance of your breasts. Your surgeon can perform an areola reduction with other breast enhancements, such as an inverted nipple correction, a breast reduction, implant placement or a breast lift. The combination helps you achieve the desired look of your breasts.

Schedule My Consultation

Are you worried about the appearance or size of your areolas? Maybe you would like the areola size to fit that of your small breasts? If so, consider areola reduction surgery at Rowe Plastic Surgery. The team at the practice has the expertise and equipment to carry out successful breast procedures, including areola reduction surgery. Contact Rowe Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation today.

212-628-7300