Nipple Surviving After Necrosis, How Long Does It Take For The Nipple To Return To Its Normal Color?

Hi, after a breast lift my nipple turned black on the outer part of it. Eventually the black scab came off leaving my nipple pink. I have some color coming back in different areas I was just wondering how long does it take for the nipple to get some color. It has been five weeks since my surgery.

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areola nipples necrosis discoloration 1 month post-op timing

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by samanthasmith in New York, NY

Doctor Answers (9)
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Nipple/Areola Necrosis and Further Treatment?

I'm sorry that you have experienced the complication; on the other hand, you are quite fortunate that at least partial survival of the tissues has occurred. I would suggest that you wait approximately one year before evaluating the aesthetic results present and before determining the need for further treatment. You may find that treatment is not needed. Best wishes.

Return of nipple colour after a partial necrosis

The pigmentation is likely to take 9-12 months to stabilise. If any area remains conspicuously lighter coloured, you can get them tattooed - by a practitioner who specialises in nipple tattooing for breast reconstruction.

Anindya Lahiri, MBBS

4 reviews

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Nipple color changes after mastopexy

The purple coloration indicated poor circulation to the nipple and you are fortunate that the nipple survived. If the coloration is still a problem after six months, you could consider tattooing to match the color of the opposing breast.

Nipple and areolae color dependant on pigment producing cells

Nipple and areolae color are dependant on normal number and function of pigment producing cells residing deep in the skin. Pigment production from these cells can temporarily cease to fuction after being stressed by a loss of circulation. A deep injury might reduce the number of these cells and permanently affect your ability ot produce pigment. Waiting for more than 6 months or until scars soften and mature is appropriate. If discoloration persists,... more

Nipple survived after some necrosis, color changes?

You are fortunate that the nipple has apparently survived. Whenever there is some delayed healing or partial loss, some of the pigment producing cells can be lost in the process. This would lead to areas of loss of normal pigmentation. Sometimes this can be temporary and return to normal over many months or even a year or more, and sometimes normal pigmentation will not return. I would give it a good long time before considering any kind of tatooing or other... more

Areolar color

It is unfortunate that you had a complication. You will have patchy colored areolas at best. Much of the pink areas you see now are scar tissue that will turn white as it matures over a year or so. Tattooing or a full thickness skin graft reconstruction might be needed, but it is too soon to tell. I would wait at least 6-8 months.

Will color return

The cells that make color (pigment) are the most sensitive to low blood flow. they die first. the fact that the remaining skin survived means that blood flow was restored but only after the other cells perished. hypopigmentation is not going to get better. plan on getting a tattoo. don't worry, it works well.

Nipple Surviving After Necrosis, How Long Does It Take For The Nipple To Return To Its Normal Color?

RE: "after a breast lift my nipple turned black on the outer part of it. Eventually the black scab came off leaving my nipple pink. I have some color coming back in different areas I was just wondering how long does it take for the nipple to get some color. It has been five weeks since my surgery." Every operation is associated with some loss of normal blood supply to the skin and with it a compromised ability to supply the cells with oxygen. Repeated operation, combination of... more

Color return after nipple necrosis

You certainly have had good fortune as the poor circulation to the nipple has turned around and the tissue recovered. Some color will return in a patchy configuration, though the process will take a year. Some pink areas and pale areas may persist depending on the damage and over-tattoo to restore color can help. In the mean time you can use a waterproof makeup to conceal. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd