Are Designer Nipples the New Fashion Accessory?

Nipples. We all have them. But it seems that some of us have forgotten what they’re designed for:

To nourish babies, of course!

Everyone knows boob jobs have been around for a long time; whether it’s to create some non-existing cleavage, lift up and revitalize or reduce gigantic G cups to more manageable Ds.

But what’s with the rise of women visiting plastic surgeons clutching photos of what they perceive to be the perfect nips and demanding some tuck to their nip?

Surgeons worldwide are reporting on the trend with a 30 percent increase in patients looking to change their nipple shape and/or size. And that statistic is expected to rise.

The recent prolific appearance of nipples on the red carpet and catwalk has received a lot of attention and with that comes “do mine stack up” comparisons. Then of course let’s not forget social media – just type in #free the nip on Instagram or Nipples on Pinterest. Women are getting them out there.

President of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, Professor Mark Ashton, told Huffington Post: “I have noticed a significant change in the last two years.”

“I get a lot of women who come in after breastfeeding two to three kids for 18 months each and saying ‘I used to love my boobs, now my breasts are deflated, and while we are fixing those, can we do anything to my nipples, they’ve stretched and are not the way they used to be’.”

“It’s also common for women undergoing a breast reduction to ask for a smaller areola. As a result of pregnancy or weight gain, the areola can get stretched.”

Ashton points out recent medical advancements have meant some types of nipple surgery are less invasive then they were a few years ago. “There is a good likelihood the patient will retain nipple sensation, and better yet, still have the ability to breastfeed in the future if they so wish. However it’s important to stress this is strictly on a case by case basis and may not be possible for all procedures.”

Dr. Norman Rowe, a plastic surgeon based in New York City says that the weekly number of nipple patients has more than quadrupled, from four a week to around 18.

Rowe is seeing women asking for lighter, more symmetrical nipples with smaller areolas. The lightening can be done with laser or creams and other women opt for darker aerolas and have them tattooed.

“Projection is the other main request I get from patients – symmetry and projection,” Dr Rowe says. “Right now there’s a real trend of women wanting their nipples to show and project.”

(Pretty sure Jen Anniston has been doing that since the 90’s).

“In some instances, patients are even asking for more protruding nipples that will show when they go braless. For want of a better word, they want headlights.”

“I’ve had a number of women tell me that, when they’re wearing a bathing suit, they want their nipples to be more prominent.”

This is one of the most simple procedures Dr Rowe performs, simply injecting some filler into the areola or nipple, which can last from nine months to two years. Owwwww.

Pretty sure this is ONE trend I’m going to ignore. I like my headlights on dim, thanks all the same.

Like any plastic surgery, ensure you consult with a qualified professional with experience in this area.