Dr. Chandler specializes in nipple surgery in Fairfield County - these procedures are performed at our office location in Darien, Connecticut.
For some women, the nipple projection is normal, but the areola (the darker pigmented skin around the nipple) is especially wide or puffy in appearance. Overly large areolas may be due to puberty or from pregnancy or breastfeeding, and can be significantly bothersome cosmetically. Reducing the diameter of the areola is also a simple procedure that can be performed in the office under local anesthesia. Areola reduction surgery can be performed by itself, or in combination with a nipple reduction. Dr. Chandler uses a circular marker to precisely mark out a new smaller areola. Another circular incision around the outside of the areola is also made, and the skin between the two incisions is then removed and the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures. The scar around the areola will fade over time and becomes nicely camouflaged between the darker areola skin and the surrounding breast skin.
Although a nipple reduction or areola reduction may also be combined with a breast lift or mastopexy procedure, it is important to realize that nipple reduction and areola reduction surgery alone will not change the location of the nipple areola complex on the breast. In order to move the nipple areola complex to a more superior location, a formal mastopexy (breast lift) would be required. A breast lift or mastopexy involves lifting the nipple and breast tissue to reshape the breasts. Dr. Laurel Chandler uses specialized suture techniques and customized scar patterns to address each breast's unique issues. Click here to learn more about a mastopexy procedure with Dr. Chandler.