Why do nipples appear darker in colour after breast lift/reduction surgery?

Question

I've been doing some research into mastopexy and reduction surgery lately as it's something I'm considering and in a lot of the before and after photos I've noticed that after surgery the areola seems to be significantly darker in colouring. How does a breast/lift reduction affect the pigmentation of the nipple? Is it to do with the areola being reduced in circumference? This is probably a stupid question, and aesthetically a change in nipple colour wouldn't matter to me, but I'm curious! :)

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

pigmentation of the nipple and areolar can definitely be  affected by breast reduction surgery. Typically the color stays about the same but the stress of surgery can alter the color. It can appear darker or lighter. This is hard to judge when this or if this will occur.

Robert Drielsma, MBBS, BSc, FRACS · Answer

Thanks for your question.  There is no such thin as a stupid question and you should feel comfortable asking any question to ensure you feel fully informed.  On patients undergoing breast lift and reduction surgery, their areola's are often stretched and during surgery their areola are reduced in size leaving the darker pigmented part of the areola closer to the nipple.  This often results in a darker appearance post operatively.  Discuss you concerns with your surgeon for their advice in your individual case.

Adrian Richards, MBBS, MSc · Answer

Thanks for your interesting question. From my experience the areolas are not usually darker following Breast reduction surgery although I can see from a number of before and afters that they look darker.I am not quite sure why this is- it might be due to the lighting used in the after shots or possibly that the areolas themselves are a bit smaller and the skin tighter.I hope this helps.

Theodore Nyame, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I believe there is no such thing as a stupid question. In fact this is an astute observation on your part. The nipples in patients with large breasts are often large and stretched out. Are you move outward from the nipple the color tends to fade and lighten up at the periphery. After a reduction you reduce the size of the nipple but the part that remains is the darker central part of the nipple. The faded peripheral portion is removed. This makes for a sharper transition between what remains and the natural breast skin. This then appears to be darker. Thanks again for your question. Theodore T. Nyame MDHarvard trained plastic surgeon

Why do nipples appear darker in colour after breast lift/reduction surgery?

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