Is there anyway I can make my areolas the same size? (Photo)

Question

My areolas are very different in size and it makes me extremely self conscious. I’ve read about surgerys and tattooing but are there any other ways?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your areolas and possibly undergoing areolar reduction. Based on your pictures, I would suggest an areola reduction. Areolar or peri-areolar tattooing would make your areolas worse, not better. Your areolas should be reduced surgically.  This is achieved by excising a donut shape area of skin around the areola. This is performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Areolar reduction takes approximately 1 hour. I think you will obtain excellent results. The areolar scar heals very well. You can also achieve a mild to moderate breast lift or mastopexy at the same time. The areolar reduction procedure is often called the donut mastopexy because of the shape of the excess areola skin that is removed shaped like a donut. Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your areolas. 
If you have any more questions regarding your areolas, please contact my office.  Please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of breast surgery.  Do your research.  Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 areola reductions.  Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.  Good luck! Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon , Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,  and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Jubilant235543,
if you want to improve areola asymmetry, then surgery is probably the best solution since there are no non-surgical methods to improve this. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

George Volpe, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, if one has discrepancies in the diameter of the areolar from one side to the other, treatment is surgical. There does not exist a noninvasive method to reliably change the diameter other than perhaps tattooing. Unfortunately, tattooing would be difficult unless performed by expert hands. The classic improvement is performed with areolar reduction which is essentially removing an outer ring of the areolar on the side in which the diameter is largest. Unfortunately this does introduce a scar around the areolar which would not be present on the other side which introduces a different type of asymmetry. In the past, I have had some women request bilateral reductions so there would be a similar looking scar on each side. But in general, it is a compromise! Is the discrepancy in diameter that currently bothers you better or worse than the presence of a scar. The procedure itself is relatively simple anchor can be performed under local anesthesia should you decide to go that route.

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is definitely a way to reduce the size of your areola. It is very common for men and women to come in and request this. You can do the areolar reduction either during local anesthesia, when you are awake, or during general anesthesia, when you are asleep. The stitches are dissolvable and the recovery and main post procedure is very minimal. I recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon to assess your needs and give an in person recommendation.

Andrea Marando, MD · Answer

The diameter of the areolas can be surgically modified and made significantly more symmetrical. However this will imply some scarring. Best way forward is to see an experienced and board certified plastic surgeon to evaluate your case and best options, see photos of other patients who underwent the same procedure, etc.All the bestAndrea MarandoPlastic and Cosmetic Surgeon, Manchester and London, UK

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. It seems like you can benefit from a nipple reduction. I recommend you to schedule an email or Skype consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for proper evaluation.

Johnny Chung, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Both areola or one areola can be reduced with an areolar reduction technique. The pigmentation can not be changed. I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area who is also a member of the American Society of aesthetic plastic surgeons. I said luck with your procedure.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Both of them can be reduced and using permanent sutures their diameters can be controlled and made much closer to eachother. That way they will have the same scar pattern too.

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