Number of women seeking help for their inverted nipples DOUBLES (and surgeons say it’s all down to celebrities pushing #FreeTheNipple)
- Surgeons say this could be down to celebrities going braless at Fashion Week
- The 15-minute procedure involves an incision being made across the nipple
A surgery group has reported a huge spike in requests for nipple correction surgery – and celebrities pushing #FreeTheNipple & #GoTopless could be to blame.
The Private Clinic of Harley Street is seeing record demand for women looking to ‘correct’ inverted nipples and others seeking nipple reduction surgery.
The group, which has practices across the UK, saw the number of requests double in June and has reported a steady increase in the months since.
And though the current fashion trend – led by celebrities wearing sheer lingerie or no underwear at all – is believed to be partly responsible for this spike, experts say it’s also down to women speaking more openly about concerns about their breasts.
Inverted nipple: This photograph shows a woman with inverted nipples, which makes the nipple appear flat or concave. The left nipple appears particularly inverted
Corrected: The procedure involves an incision being made at the base of the nipple as a means of dividing the milk ducts and problematic fibers that cause the nipple to retract
Adrian Richards, medical director and consultant plastic surgeon at The Private Clinic, told FEMAIL: ‘Of course, trends in pop culture do affect behaviour and so we cannot rule out the influence that fashion trends and celebrities have on consumers.
Nipple inversion
An inverted nipple is a condition where the nipple, instead of pointing outward, is retracted into the breast.
Mr Richards, one of the UK’s leading authorities on breast augmentation and nipple correction, explained inverted nipples are far more common than most people realise, affecting roughly one in ten women.
He continued: ‘So it’s not too surprising that the majority of patients I see are looking to address this particular concern.
‘While the condition can affect both men and women, it’s fair to say that demand for treatment amongst women is higher.’
Common problem: Roughly one in 10 women have nipples that retract inwards (as pictured) rather than protruding outwards. It can cause problems for breastfeeding. There has been a spike in the number of women seeking to ‘correct’ the appearance with surgery
Trendsetter? Geordie Shore’s Marnie Simpson shocked by forgoing underwear on the red carpet at the NTAs and surgeons warn the trend appears to be influencing real women
The procedure used to ‘correct’ the inverted nipple depends on the cause.
For patients who require surgery, a minor procedure, performed under local anesthetic, is typically recommended.
One method involves an incision being made at the base of the nipple to release the fibers and milk ducts which are causing the nipple to retract.
Self-conscious: Women are also seeking out nipple reduction surgery in huge numbers as Britons become less modest about their breasts.
Nipple reduction
A second procedure sees women wanting to reduce the size of their nipples.
Mr Richards explained how, like the inverted nipple treatment, this can be the result of having lower self-esteem.
‘One of the most common reasons my patients chose to undergo a nipple corrective treatment is because, over time, their nipple concerns have had a negative psychological impact, resulting in lower self-esteem’ explains Mr Richards.
