What are puffy nipples?

Variations in anatomy is normal and expected. Puffy nipples are a harmless occurrence, but they can cause both men and women to feel uncomfortable with their appearance and many seek advice on how to get rid of them.

Puffy nipples usually refer to the puffy areola rather than the nipple. The areola may appear raised and swollen causing it to protrude more than normal.

When we talk about what is normal, it is important to remember that this can vary significantly amongst individuals and not everyone’s nipples or areolas will look the same.

What causes puffy or pointy nipples?

A puffy nipple is a result on enlarged breast glands. The common reasons for this include:

• Hormonal Fluctuations – Hormonal changes can result in nipple puffiness. Low testosterone in men can increase their risk of developing puffy nipples. For women, changes to hormones during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause can also lead them to experience puffy nipples.
• Gynecomastia – Gynecomastia is often the main cause of puffy or pointy nipples for men. It is a condition which causes the enlargement of breast tissue in men due to testosterone and estrogen imbalances.
• Tuberous Breasts – Tuberous breasts is an congenital condition which causes an abnormality in the breast. Thick and strong connective tissue restricts breasts development causing them to be conical or tube-like in appearance often with enlarged areolas which are usually domed and puffy in appearance.
• Weight Change – When weight increases in the body, fat cells increase, and this can affect the breast area causing the appearance of puffy nipples.
• Genetics – In some cases, puffy nipples are very normal, and some people are more prone to having them due to their genetic make-up. This is likely to be the case if other members of your family have them too.
• Medication – Some types of medication can cause inflammatory responses which could lead to nipple puffiness. Speaking to your GP about your medication side effects could help to confirm this is a cause.
• Steroid Use – The use of drugs such as steroids can put you at a higher risk of developing puffy nipples. Again, this is usually down to the hormonal imbalance that they cause within the body.

How to get rid of puffy nipples?

The first step to getting rid of puffy or pointy nipples is to firstly understand the cause. Puffy nipples are rarely a sign of a serious medical condition so any treatment would either be lifestyle changes or surgery.

For some, lifestyle changes such as loosing weight through exercise and healthy eating can be a great way to reduce the appearance of puff nipples.

For many however, the desired results cannot be achieved through diet or exercise and often cosmetic surgery is recommended to help ensure effective results.

Male Chest Reduction Surgery

Male chest reduction surgery for puffy nipples or pointy nipples is commonly performed on men who have gynecomastia. Around 30% of adult men in the UK are affected by gynaecomastia which typically causes an increase in breast tissue in the male chest.

There are a variety of techniques that can be used for male chest reduction, most commonly it is liposuction which removes excess fat from the chest.  If required, excess glandular tissue can also be surgically removed from the male chest to give a flatter appearance to the chest.

Find out more about male chest reduction surgery here.

Tuberous Breast Surgery

Females who are experiencing puffy nipples may have a condition known as tuberous or tubular breasts. The tuberous breast condition causes the breasts appear elongated in shape and often have very large or protruding nipples which take on a domed or puffy shape.

The surgical procedure used in tuberous breast correction surgery will vary depending on the appearance of the breasts and what the patient wishes to achieve from surgery.

A typical tuberous breast correction procedure may involve releasing the constriction at the base of the breast before inserting implants, removing excess skin or uplifting to the breast to a higher position. Find out more about tuberous breast correction surgery here.

Find out more about tuberous breast correction surgery here.

Nipple Reduction Surgery

In some instances, overly large nipples can cause puffy nipples or pointy nipples. Nipple reduction surgery is a quick and easy way to reduce the puffy nipples for both men and women.

The procedure is usually performed under local anaesthetic and involves removing the excess tissue from the nipple to reduce the size so it is more in proportion to the rest of your breast or chest.

Find out more about Nipple Reduction Surgery here.

Puffy Nipple Correction at The Private Clinic

We are the UK’s leading non-invasive cosmetic group and have some of the most experienced Consultant Plastic surgeons in the country working with us. For over 40 years we have successfully treated thousands of patients.

By coming to us for your puffy nipple correction procedure you can rest assured you are in the best possible hands and that you will get the results you were hoping for.

• There are no hidden costs.
• We afford all our patients the right care well before, during and long after every procedure.
• You will have a dedicated Patient Coordinator, who you can call as much as you need, throughout your Private Clinic journey.
• You will only be treated by industry-leading, highly experienced doctors and surgeons.
• Our nurses, technical assistants and therapists are all very experienced and knowledgeable.
• Our aftercare promise – you can call, email and visit us to discuss how we tailor-make each procedure and offer ethical and professional aftercare for every patient.
• We are contactable 24/7, 365 days a year for patients.
• We are competitively priced for the expertise and professionalism we provide every patient.

To find out more about our puffy nipple or pointy nipple correction procedures you can contact us on 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form.