Can areolas be resized to fix asymmetry? (Photo)

Question

I had a breast lift in 2023 and implants in 2025. During the lift, my areolas were left uneven. One is a perfect circle and the other is more teardrop shaped. I want to get bigger implants.. are they able to resize the one areola? That area is numb anyway since the lift. I am 35 years old and 5’11. I got 310cc even though i wanted a lot larger to fit my frame.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

At times, the body doesn’t like a perfect circle and the scar around the areola can stretch, change shape, etc as heals and commonly different left to right.

This should be an easy adjustment to make the larger one smaller and more round, symmetrical for better match to the other side.

Even easier to perform when you are changing implants during the same surgery.

Confirm this with your/a plastic surgeon.

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

Areola size and shape can be adjusted with a  revision, but sometimes the skin stretches unevenly, leading to an imperfect result despite a smooth surgery and good immediate post op result. Significantly upsizing the implants will lead to more stretching after surgery, so sometimes it is safer to upsize implants, let the skin stretch, and then come back to reshape the areola under local anesthesia several months later. It may be possible to do both together, but that depends on the size you are aiming for and also the amount of tension on the existing scars.

Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, although there is no guarantee that they will stay symmetric on both sides. If you are planning to upsize, this extra tension behind the areaola themselves is applying at different tensions along the circle. That is why breast lift patients often end up with areola diameters that, over time, become less round and of a different size.

I hope that helps and wish you the very best!

I hope that helps and wish you the very best!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The areolas can be resized under local anesthesia in the office to correct asymmetry.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Julia Spears, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Yes, an asymmetric or irregularly shaped areola can often be revised at the time of an implant exchange. The larger or more teardrop-shaped areola can be reshaped to more closely match the opposite side, although perfect symmetry can never be guaranteed.

Since you are also considering significantly larger implants, the entire breast needs to be evaluated rather than treating the areola separately. A larger implant can place additional tension on the breast skin and potentially affect the areolar shape or cause stretching over time. Your surgeon should consider your breast width, existing lift scars, skin quality, nipple position, and the amount of size increase you are requesting when planning the revision.

An in-person examination with a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in revision breast surgery would be the best way to determine the appropriate implant size and whether the areolar revision can safely be performed at the same time.

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

Yes, areolas can often be resized or reshaped to improve asymmetry. If one areola is larger, stretched, or more teardrop-shaped, a periareolar revision can sometimes make it rounder and closer in size to the other side.
However, areola shape is affected by breast shape, skin tension, implant size, and nipple position. If you also plan to go bigger with implants, that may stretch the skin and areola again, so the implant exchange and areola revision should be planned together.
Because you have already had a lift and implants, the surgeon needs to be careful with blood supply and scar tissue around the nipple-areola complex. Numbness does not mean the area can be treated without caution; the nipple still needs safe circulation.
If the asymmetry is only the areola border, a smaller revision may be enough. If the nipple position or breast shape is also asymmetric, then a lift revision or pocket adjustment may be needed at the same time.
My advice would be to consult a revision breast surgeon and bring clear goal photos. Ask whether the areola can be corrected with a local periareolar revision or whether changing implant size will require a more complete lift/pocket revision to keep the result balanced.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Yes the areola can be resized at the time of your implant exchange.  Areola sizers are used by your surgeon during your procedure to mark the area so that they are symmetrical.  Sometimes after surgery one or both may stretch but if this occurs they can be addressed later for better symmetry.

Kelly Schultz, MD · Answer

Yes! If the shape of your areola is one of your primary concerns, it can generally be reshaped at the time of your next breast surgery. Your surgeon can revise the existing areolar scar and adjust the size and shape to create better symmetry with the opposite side.
Based on your photo, there also appears to be some asymmetry in the overall breast shape and skin envelope. Since you're considering exchanging your implants for a larger size, this would be a good opportunity for your surgeon to evaluate whether a revision of your previous lift could further improve your breast symmetry at the same time.
Implant size should be selected based on your breast and chest measurements, tissue characteristics, and the overall size and appearance you're hoping to achieve rather than your height or a specific number of cc alone.
Keep in mind that perfect breast or areolar symmetry cannot be guaranteed, but meaningful improvement is often possible. An in-person consultation with a board-certified or board-eligible plastic surgeon can help determine what combination of implant exchange and lift/areolar revision would best accomplish your goals.
Best of luck with your revision!

Can areolas be resized to fix asymmetry? (Photo)

Answers (8)

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