Nipple correction

Correct inverted, oversized, or irregularly shaped nipples and bring them into better proportion with your breasts.

Good to know

Anesthesia: Procedure under local anesthesia
Duration: 30–60 minutes
Recovery: 4–10 days
Price: starting at €650 (per breast)

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About nipple correction

A nipple correction can adjust the shape, size, or position of your nipples or areolas. This can correct inverted or overly large nipples and an overly large areola. The most appropriate treatment depends on your situation and preferences. The plastic surgeon will discuss the options with you during your consultation.

A nipple correction is available from €650 per breast for the correction of an inverted nipple. An areola correction costs €750 per breast. The final costs depend on the desired correction. During a free, no-obligation consultation, the plastic surgeon discusses your wishes and the options, and you receive a transparent cost overview.
Yes, an inverted nipple can be corrected in various ways. Which method is suitable depends on the cause and the degree to which the nipple is inverted. At Boerhaave, the plastic surgeon assesses your nipples and discusses which technique is the best fit. Any future wish to breastfeed is taken into account.
Whether breastfeeding remains possible after a nipple correction depends on the type of correction and the technique used. With some treatments the milk ducts remain completely intact, while with other techniques they may be damaged or cut through. Do you wish to have children in the future and would you like to breastfeed? Then always discuss this with your plastic surgeon beforehand.
At Boerhaave, nipple corrections are performed by experienced plastic surgeons with an eye for safety, quality and a natural result. You can count on personal guidance and extensive aftercare, so that you know where you stand throughout the entire treatment process.

Here's how the treatment works

Here you will find all the important information about this treatment, from the consultation and the treatment itself to follow-up care, the results, and potential risks.

Nipple correction involves several types of procedures, including correction for an inverted nipple or an overly large areola. In addition, there are two types of inverted nipples.

Inverted Nipple
The first type of nipple correction involves a nipple that is normally shaped but sometimes retracts inward. The plastic surgeon corrects this by placing a small ring under the skin. This is a quick and efficient procedure that leaves no scars and preserves the milk ducts. We insert the piercing under sterile conditions, and the area is numbed with a local anesthetic. The piercing we provide is made of surgical-grade stainless steel. You must wear the piercing for an extended period (several months) to achieve the desired result. The advantage of a piercing is that breastfeeding will still be possible later on.

The second type of nipple correction involves an ineffectively formed inverted nipple. This type is more difficult to treat and usually begins during puberty. To prevent the milk ducts from pulling the nipple inward, an incision is made in the nipple to release the milk ducts. After this procedure, you may experience scab formation for a few weeks, and breastfeeding may sometimes no longer be possible.

Areola
Having an overly large areola can be perceived as unpleasant and bothersome. This can be corrected through a simple procedure performed under local anesthesia. However, an overly large areola is often accompanied by sagging breasts. It is therefore possible to have your areola corrected during a breast lift or breast reduction.

It is also possible to opt for an areola reduction without additional surgery. In this case, a small incision is made around the outer edge of the areola so that a small portion of the pigmented skin can be removed. After the procedure, you will have a small scar around the areola, and you will be able to breastfeed without any problems.
Plastic Surgeon
Your personal consultation will always take place with the plastic surgeon who will be treating you. During this consultation, medical details will be discussed, and you will have the opportunity to express your wishes regarding the nipple correction. Photos will also be taken for your medical record, and your nipples will be examined. In front of the mirror, you’ll have another opportunity to express your wishes, and the surgeon will explain whether your expectations can be met.

In total, the consultation will last about 45 minutes. Following this, you will have a meeting with your consultant, who will explain the general procedure to you.
What your treatment day will look like depends on the type of nipple correction you have chosen. In most cases, the procedures listed below will be performed under local anesthesia, which means you’ll be able to go home the same day. Find more information here about what a typical day is like.

Areola Reduction
During an areola reduction, the pigmented skin around the nipple or areola is removed. This can be done through a small incision around the outer edge of the areola or around the nipple, which leaves a small scar.

This procedure does not interfere with breastfeeding, as the mammary gland and milk ducts remain intact.

Nipple Reduction
Nipples that protrude too far can also be surgically reduced. This procedure leaves no visible scars, and breastfeeding remains possible because the milk ducts remain intact.

If you have particularly long nipples, some of the milk ducts may be lost. If you wish to breastfeed afterward, it is important to mention this during your consultation.

Inverted Nipple
Nipples that are too large can also be reduced. During this procedure, an incision is made around the nipple, and the milk ducts are then addressed. If you wish to breastfeed afterward, you should inform the plastic surgeon of this. In some cases, he may then opt for a different method that offers a less dramatic reduction but preserves the milk ducts.
Please keep in mind that it generally takes seven to fourteen days to recover from a nipple correction. Immediately after the procedure, the treated area will be bruised, tender, and swollen. The same applies to your scars and the skin around your nipple, which may still feel a bit tight and where you may notice slight swelling and bruising. This will last a few weeks but will return to normal over time.

Scars
During the procedure, every effort is made to ensure the scars are barely visible. However, it’s still important to apply scar cream regularly and keep the scars out of the sun. In addition, always use sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher for the first year to protect your skin.

Scar Cream
During your first follow-up visit, you’ll be given a scar cream to take home. Once the wound has closed and the scabs have fallen off, you may begin applying this cream. Applying it twice a day to the closed wound increases the likelihood of a smooth, even healing.
Of course, the outcome depends on the patient’s individual anatomy and expectations. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss the desired results and a natural appearance to ensure that the final outcome aligns well with the patient’s personal preferences.
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications. With plastic surgery procedures and minor corrections, the risk is low, since these procedures generally involve healthy individuals. It is also important to carefully follow the instructions you have been given.

Some possible complications may include:

Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that requires drainage)

Adverse reaction to the anesthesia

Postoperative bleeding

Infection

Changes in sensation

Permanent scarring

Damage to underlying structures

Unsatisfactory aesthetic result.

Smoking
If you smoke, use tobacco or nicotine products, or are exposed to them at the time of the procedure, you have a higher risk of complications. These may include poorer wound healing, skin necrosis, or an increased risk of bleeding. People who are not exposed to tobacco smoke or nicotine-containing products have a significantly lower risk of such complications.

Results of nipple correction in real patients

Take a look at the results of patients who have undergone nipple correction at our clinic before you. The before-and-after photos provide a realistic picture of what this treatment can achieve.

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Before
After
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Nipple correction
Drs. M.T. Letsch
54 years old
Before
After
View before and after
Nipple correction
32 years old