![]() There’s some information floating around out there about lasering the areola to eliminate color and make them appear smaller, but it’s not quite that simple. “You can usually reduce the diameter by 25% to 50%, though the exact amount of reduction depends on the elasticity of the connective tissue,” explains Dr. During the surgical procedure, a donut-shaped ring is used to remove a circular piece of excess skin around the entire areola. An areola reduction is most often done as part of a breast reduction or breast lift, though it can also be done on its own. If you want smaller areolas, surgery is your best bet. “There’s no magical topical cream or at-home treatment that will change the size of your areolas, so steer clear of anything that promises to do so,” warns Dr. How can you decrease areola size?įirst, a word of warning. And as far as that pregnancy-induced darkening goes, it will lighten, though it may never go back to the exact same color as before baby. But if the skin was fairly loose to begin with, the areola may stay the same size even if the actual breast gets smaller. If the skin is taut and elastic (typically more likely when you’re younger and have more collagen and elastin), then the areolas may get smaller, says Dr. Whether your areolas go back to their pre-pregnancy size or shrink if you lose weight ultimately depends on the elasticity of your skin. “Excess fat tends to distribute in the breasts, and as they stretch, so do the areolas,” she explains. Similarly, a significant amount of weight gain can lead to larger areolas. Not only do the breasts and areolas get bigger, but the areolas also darken due to hormonal changes, notes Dr. This occurs most often during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As the breast grows, the overlying skin stretches with it and the diameter of the areola increases. So if your breasts get bigger, the areolas likely will too. Related: 7 Unexpected Areas Where Filler Injections Can Have a Big Impact Why does areola size change?Īreolas typically change along with the size of the breast, says Dr. (However, in many cases, cysts are benign and caused by hormones, like estrogen, that rise and fall with each menstrual cycle.) If you notice any of these, call your doctor, as you may need a biopsy. The only things that are truly abnormal and potentially cause for concern are changes in texture such as an “orange peel” texture, lumps, ulcerations, and pain, notes Dr. “Your breasts are sisters, not twins, and the same applies to your areolas,” she adds. (More on tattooing in a minute.) Also worth noting: it’s totally normal if your two areolas aren’t identical. Case in point: “When we do areola tattooing as part of breast reconstruction surgery, there’s a palette of over 50 colors to choose from,” says Dr. As mentioned, there’s no one normal color either. “The average diameter is three to four centimeters, but I’ve seen some areolas larger than 12 centimeters,” notes Dr. “Normal” doesn’t really exist, because areolas really do come in all colors, sizes, and shapes (while they’re usually round, some can be oval or more elongated). You can have very small breasts with large areolas or vice versa, says Dr. ![]() And while sometimes areola size is directly correlated with breast size, that’s not a hard-and-fast rule. “It’s simply breast tissue.” Ultimately, genetics are the primary determining factor for how large your areolas are. ![]() “Areola size isn’t indicative of anything,” says Dr. Interested in areola augmentation? Find Doctors Near You What does areola size mean? ![]() Parcells, a board-certified plastic surgeon in West Orange, New Jersey. There are also Montgomery glands-separate from mammary glands-which produce a lubricating substance to keep both the areola and the nipple soft and smooth for lactation, notes Dr. ![]() There are a small number of lactiferous ducts on the areola these feel raised and firm, almost like pimples, says Dr. The area of skin is also textured rather than smooth. To the point of pigment, areola colors vary greatly, ranging from almost identical to the rest of the skin to pink to purple-ish to a very dark brown. Lepore, a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Jose, California. “The areola is the area of pigmented skin surrounding the nipple,” explains Dr. But if you’re wondering whether your areolas look normal or if there’s any way to alter their size (spoiler alert: there is, but it’s not easy), keep reading. They come in all different colors and sizes, characteristics largely dictated by genetics. Areolas are like fingerprints-no two are exactly alike. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |