Are my areolas and nipples lighter after augmentation/lift and implants? (Photos)

Question

I had my surgery 4 weeks ago. My aereolas and nipples look like they've returned to their pre pregnancy color, a pretty pink. While I was pregnant, they kept turning darker and I hated it. Will they return to the ugly dark color, is this temporary? I love the way they look now. Attaching pre op and current pics

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Hi chrismeme, The darkening of the areola during pregnancy is associated with the hormones. After breast augmentation, however, the areolas become slightly stretched and may appear light colored. If you do not become pregnant again, your areola color will likely remain the same. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
  
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
  
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Ross Blagg, MD · Answer

Hello,It is common to have the dark color during pregnancy. Sometimes the areola will be even lighter after lift/implants because there is a slight stretch that causes the lighter color. This will likely stay and without becoming pregnant again, it is not likely that the dark color will return. All the best in your recovery!Dr. BlaggAustin, TX

Bryan Armijo, MD · Answer

It is common to develop increased skin pigmentation during pregnancy. The exact mechanism of this change is not known, but it commonly affects the nipple-areolar complex and the midline abdominal skin. Typically after pregnancy, this fades back to your baseline pigmentation. If you become pregnant again, it is possible that you would experience the same increased skin pigmentation. However, I would not expect any skin pigmentation changes in the peri-operative period.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
The areolas turn lighter after surgery, due to some slight stretching during the process. If you don't get pregnant again, they should remain this color.
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

Brian Hwang, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear chrismeme,
The darkening of the nipple/areola is a phenomenon associated with pregnancy and occurs as the body prepares itself for breastfeeding. The darker nature of the nipple/areola helps the newborn in locating the nipple for breastfeeding. The dark color returns to the normal pink color as breastfeeding ceases. So to answer your question, the nipple/areolar color will unlikely return to the darker color unless you become pregnant again.
Please see an OBGYN for further explanation in regards to nipple/areolar color change during pregnancy, as well as a plastic surgeon to monitor your post-operative recovery process.
Best wishes,
Brian Hwang, MD

J. Michael Morrissey, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Thank you for your question. First of all, you have a very nice result. A real transformation that I'm sure you must be pleased with.  The color of the areola darkens after pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes. The darkened pigmenation is typically permanent. The fact that the areolas have lightened after the lift and augmentation likely is  a reflection of the tension on the skin with the implant in place. It is likely that if you get pregnant again, the areolae will darken again. Again, congratulations on a lovely result. Enjoy!Best wishes, Dr. Morrissey

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