Dr. Applebaum is one of Southern California’s most renowned breast surgeons, and over his nearly 30-year career, he has seen and treated nearly every type of nipple deformity that exists. While nipple deformities are normally painless in a physical sense, they can cause deep shame and embarrassment in people who just want to blend in with everyone else. Fortunately, nipple deformities are easily corrected with simply plastic surgery techniques that improve the appearance of the nipple while maintaining nipple sensation in the majority of cases.

Nipple inversion

Nipple inversion is a condition that occurs when a patient’s nipples point inward rather than protruding outward. Nipple inversion can occur regardless of breast size and is caused by  the retraction of the nipple down into the areola with absence of identifiable nipple tissue. There are numerous reasons why people develop nipple inversion, including the structure of the nipple or the underlying tissue and surrounding skin, the development of the condition during puberty, or scar tissue that causes permanent constriction. Nipple inversion is defined by different levels that describe the seriousness of the condition, with Level 1 being the least severe level of inversion and Level 3 being the most severe. 

Inverted nipples can be corrected by Dr. Applebaum using a technique that requires a small incision close to the base of the nipple. He then spreads or stretches the fibrous bands holding down the nipple and creates a platform under the nipple to support the base of the nipple. Dr. Applebaum typically performs nipple inversion surgery as a standalone procedure, but there are some instances in which the procedure may be combined with other breast surgeries, such as augmentation, depending on the patient’s goals and anatomy. Most patients experience full correction of the inversion and maintain complete nipple function.

Nipple prominence

People with nipple prominence have nipples that are uncommonly large and noticeable. Men and women can both be born with prominent nipples, but women are more likely to experience the condition after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Most patients find nipple prominence problematic due to the presence of visible nipples in clothing, often at all times, which can cause embarrassment and impact a patient’s self confidence. Prominent nipples can also cause chafing or other irritation due to the nipples rubbing against clothing. It is also common for patients to be self-conscious about the size or prominence of their nipples, causing them to feel uncomfortable in intimate settings or in other situations where most people would be shirtless, such as while swimming.

Dr. Applebaum reduces nipple prominence through a relatively simple procedure that minimizes the prominence and projection of the nipple. This procedure can be performed at the same time as other breast surgeries and can also be performed as a standalone procedure. The procedure is so simple that patients receiving only nipple prominence surgery may be able to have the surgery completed under local anaesthesia, requiring minimal recovery time. Most patients maintain complete nipple sensation.