Inverted nipple correction by female Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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Inverted Nipples according to Seattle Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder

I have found the most simple and effective treatment for inverted nipples is nipple piercing! Fortunately, Seattle is a pretty piercing friendly city and this treatment is well accepted by patients.

Inverted nipples are caused by short milk ducts that tether the nipple to the underlying breast. Procedures to release this tethering usually involve cutting the ducts and, in my experience, have a high rate of recurrence of the nipple inversion. Also, cutting the ducts likely interferes with subsequent lactation and could interfere with sensation. Piercing the nipple and holding it in place with a nipple barbell for about three months stretches out the ducts and thus far has not resulted in recurrence after the barbell has been removed. Piercing does not damage the ducts or nerves and has not turned any of my patients into Marilyn Manson fans.

Nipple piercing for inverted nipples is done in one of my exam rooms using a local anesthetic. I ask patients to take it easy for a few days following the procedure and to make sure to come back in three months for removal of the barbells. I have had several patients that like their piercings so much that they decline removal!