All about inverted nipple correction surgery in South Korea | Causes & Treatments |

 All about inverted nipple correction surgery in South Korea | Causes & Treatments |

Everyone has a physical complex they might not be able to speak about.  Among those, I believe an inverted nipple is a relatively common condition. When someone has an inverted nipple, not only is it difficult to discuss because of the nature of the body part, but many feel embarrassed due to its different appearance, avoiding public baths, and may also feel less confident and become withdrawn when meeting the opposite sex. As a result, there seem to be many who secretly look into inverted nipple correction.  So, in this post, we will delve deeper into inverted nipple correction.

👀What is an inverted nipple?

An inverted nipple refers to a congenital condition where the nipple, due to a short milk duct, is not protruding but is either flat or inverted into the breast. Ideally, a normal nipple should have a diameter of less than 1cm and protrude at a height of 79mm, but if one or both nipples do not protrude and are instead inverted toward the breast, it is called an inverted nipple. While this condition is predominantly found in women, it can also occur in men.

👉Causes of Inverted Nipple

Most inverted nipples are due to congenital causes, often resulting from a lack of supportive tissue beneath the nipple and short milk ducts that pull the nipple inward. Occasionally, it can also occur as an acquired condition due to breast tissue contraction when conditions like nipple inflammation, mastitis, or breast cancer arise. While an inverted nipple doesn't generally interfere with daily life, during sweaty seasons like summer, it can become unhygienic due to accumulated secretions and can lead to bacterial infections, resulting in conditions like nipple inflammation or mastitis. Moreover, for women, after childbirth, the nipple might get more inverted, making breastfeeding difficult; hence, many consider correction not just for aesthetic purposes but also for functional, hygiene reasons, and to prevent breast-related diseases.

👉Stages of Inverted Nipple

The severity of an inverted nipple can be categorized into three stages, and depending on the condition, the corrective methods vary. For the mild stage 1, where the nipple protrudes with stimuli or temperature changes and remains so for a certain period, improvement can be expected through methods like inverted nipple massage or correctors, and surgery isn't necessarily required. However, for stage 2, where the nipple protrudes with stimulation but soon reverts back, or stage 3, where the nipple is always inverted and does not protrude even with stimulation, surgical methods are required for correction.

👉Methods of Inverted Nipple Treatments

The methods for inverted nipple Treatments vary, but they are mainly divided into two: the duct-preserving method and the non-duct-preserving method, based on whether the milk duct is preserved.

The duct-preserving method is suitable for those planning to breastfeed after childbirth. It involves making incisions on both sides of the nipple, cutting the fibrous tissue that was pulling the nipple inwards, pulling it out to its normal position, and then gathering and suturing the tissue in the center to prevent recurrence.

On the other hand, the non-duct-preserving method is implemented in cases where the inversion is severe and preserving the milk duct is difficult. This method makes breastfeeding impossible after childbirth. It involves making an incision at the center of the nipple, cutting the fibrous tissue that was pulling the nipple inward, reinforcing it to push it outward, and gathering and suturing the tissue in the middle to prevent recurrence.

This inverted nipple correction surgery is conducted under general anesthesia and takes about an hour, making it a relatively simple procedure with little pain and side effects. Minimal incisions are made beneath the areola, so scars are barely visible. The length of the incision is very short, and the color of the areola helps camouflage any markings. Moreover, its location is such that it isn't easily noticeable, so there's little need to worry about scars.

We've looked into inverted nipple Treatments so far. Despite being a relatively small part of our body, our nipples have a complex structure that serves multiple functions. As previously mentioned, there are various forms of inverted nipples, and depending on each individual's condition, improvement should be made using the appropriate surgical method to achieve satisfactory results. Furthermore, the results can vary depending on the skills of experienced medical staff. Therefore, it's best to consult with professionals who can meticulously examine each individual's skin elasticity, the length of the milk duct, and the amount of tissue filling the nipple, and then provide a suitable solution. 

Additionally, having the surgery through a Full HD endoscope, which ensures detailed and stable incisions while minimizing tissue separation, nerve damage, and bleeding, is also crucial for preventing side effects and ensuring quick recovery. If you're considering correcting an inverted nipple, it's recommended to seek a medical institution that can address both aesthetic and functional aspects, as well as hygiene issues. Begin by having a thorough consultation with the medical team and plan accordingly.