Areola discoloration 14 months post-op, is this normal? Will they go back? (Photos)

Based off your photos - (no preop photos for comparison) - its difficult to say how this exactly happened but can happen post mastopexy (breast lift). It seems to have happened on both sides as well - sometimes while healing that area has more to heal since its on the bottom of the breast as well as at the junction of multiple incisions (can lead to more scar tissue, decreased blood supply etc) - which can lead to de-pigmentation over time from loss of pigmented cells (melanin cells). Usually if you are this far out and its still light, likely not going to return back to the original color. If there's loss of sensitivity there (which can happen as well) you might want to try skin tattooing for more color (the tattoo artist these days are very good at matching to the correct shade). Also, revisit with your surgeon and see some possibilities of what can be done and / or what caused this.

Thank you for sharing your photo — it provides helpful context. At 14 months post-op, it's reasonable to expect scars to be settling and fading, but what you're describing suggests a few things worth considering.
Persistent redness in scars can occur, especially in individuals with fair or sensitive skin, or those prone to hypertrophic scarring. While some redness at this stage can still fade with time, if it’s been stable or worsening, treatments like laser therapy, microneedling, or topical silicone may help.
Loss of pigment on the areola (hypopigmentation) is not uncommon after procedures involving periareolar incisions. It can result from:
Disruption of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) during surgery
Scar tension or inflammation interfering with pigment distribution
Reduced blood supply in certain areas during healing
Unfortunately, hypopigmentation may not always fully reverse on its own. In some cases, the pigment gradually returns over time, but if it does not, medical tattooing (micropigmentation) is a commonly used and effective option to restore natural color to the areola.
It’s best to have the area evaluated by your surgeon or a provider familiar with post-surgical areolar changes to determine whether pigment recovery is still possible or if a corrective procedure may be helpful.
I hope this offers some clarity and reassurance as you navigate next steps.
— Güray Yeşiladalı, MD

Thank you for submitting your questions and photos. I am sorry you are experiencing this issue with your scars and areola pigmentation. Based on the photos, you may be a good candidate for scar revision. This would involve removing your existing scars and re-doing them using a less reactive suture. Shortly thereafter, there are some topical products you can put on the scars to prevent this from happening a 2nd time. As far as the areola pigmentation, this could have been caused by a variety of factors. Commonly, it is due to inflammation disupting melanin production, which leads to lighter patches of skin. There are trained tattoo artists that can match your normal areola pigment and help blend the pigment. I recommend you seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over your options in greater detail. Good luck and thanks again for reaching out.