As breasts get larger due to increased weight, areolas tend to grow as well, and they may also shrink if breasts get smaller because of weight loss, says Dr. Chen. This correlates with the increase or decrease in fat deposits in your body as part of your weight gain or loss.
Areola reduction surgery is a relatively simple day surgery procedure that can reduce the diameter of one or both of your areolas. The excess pigmented skin is simply cut away so that a smaller and more appropriately-shaped areola is left behind. The height of your nipples can also be reduced, if desired.
Your nipples are very sensitive little organs! When they are stimulated either by touch, cold temperatures or sexual arousal, they harden (actually become erect) and part of that response is for the brown part (the areola) to shrink and wrinkle. It is kind of like a muscle contraction.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can also cause this area to change and enlarge. Other factors that can cause a change in the areola size or shape are weight gain and puberty. If a patient is unhappy with the size of their areola, they may find that Areola Reduction Surgery can help them achieve the result they want.
Breasts change dramatically after massive weight loss. The reduced volume of fat results in poor shape, projection, and skin elasticity. Most breasts resemble a pancake, with distorted and ptotic nipples.
If you've lost significant weight recently, your areola may get smaller, but not as much you expect.
Areola size is something that you inherit from your parents, just like your breast and foot size, or your freckle pattern. That said, there are a few factors that can change the size, color, and shape of your areola over time, like puberty, periods, and of course, pregnancy.
The areolas come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Everyone's breasts are different, and it is perfectly normal for a person to have very large areolas. It is also normal for the areolas to change in size and color over time.
The national average cost* of areola reduction surgery is $2,907, but the cost can range between $2,231 and $5,633, depending on various factors.
Without estrogen, the gland tissue shrinks, making the breasts smaller and less full. The connective tissue that supports the breasts becomes less elastic, so the breasts sag. Changes also occur in the nipple. The area surrounding the nipple (the areola) becomes smaller and may nearly disappear.
During menopause, when the menstrual cycle ceases, the drop in estrogen, a naturally occurring hormone, can affect the shape and size of breasts. Some breasts will lose their elasticity, and the areolas may shrink.
I wanted to write a post regarding this question, as I am asked several time a month whether there are non surgical ways to reduce areola size. The honest answer is no, there aren't. The only way to reduce the size of your areola is with surgery. BUT, there are treatments that can help you once you have had surgery.
Just like with breasts, there's no one way that nipples are supposed to look. Both nipples and areolas (the circular skin around your nipple) come in different sizes and colors, from light pink to brownish black. The color of your nipples usually relates to your skin color.
Nipple reduction can be part of overall breast augmentation surgery, while areola reduction is commonly included with both breast lift and reduction surgeries.
Exfoliation is a common at-home method for Lightening Areolas. Gentle exfoliation techniques, such as using a soft brush or a mild scrub, can help remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. However, it is important to be cautious and avoid excessive scrubbing, as this can cause skin irritation and damage.
Weight Gain or Loss
As breasts get larger due to increased weight, areolas tend to grow as well, and they may also shrink if breasts get smaller because of weight loss, says Dr. Chen. This correlates with the increase or decrease in fat deposits in your body as part of your weight gain or loss.
Nipple and areola reduction surgery typically involves discomfort and pain during the initial recovery period. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medications to manage this pain. Most patients find that the discomfort gradually subsides as they heal.
Those who are displeased with having larger-than-average areolas can achieve change with a minor plastic surgery procedure. To make this correction, the surgeon can make an incision around the border of the areola and then remove some of the pigmented skin to make the areola look smaller.
The areola of sexually mature women averages around 1.5 inches but can be as big as 4 inches. Lactating women and women with particularly large breasts may have even larger areolas. The size and shape of areola and nipples vary greatly amongst females.
The average areolae around 30–40 mm were favored by women. Men were more in favor of a smaller areolae of 30 mm. A small areola was found to symbolize youthfulness as it grows with maturation and pregnancies [8]. According to a study by Dixson et al.
How can I reduce my areola size? Areola size can be reduced with areola reduction surgery. This procedure remove areola tissue by excision, making it smaller and more proportionate.
Areolas can also change in size as you age, gain or lose weight, or experience hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. While most of these changes are perfectly normal, some may be abnormal and warrant an investigation by a healthcare provider.
The accepted standard areola size has been classically set at 38 to 45 mm.