Inverted Nipple

Q: Can a nipple piercing correct an inversion? - Jillian

A: One reason people seek a new piercing is to achieve an aesthetic ideal. Some feel their anatomy stands in the way of achieving that ideal. People with inverted nipples occasionally pursue surgical correction to achieve their vision. Yet, nipple piercing can be an effective alternative to surgery when the piercing is performed by a knowledgeable, skilled professional.

As piercers, we work hard to use techniques and disseminate information that does not cross the boundaries into medicine, but helping to reverse nipple inversion does not stray far from typical nipple piercing procedure. For a client, this means that they achieve two goals, a beautiful new piercing and the physical change they have always wanted.

Inversion can occur on both male and female nipples. It is caused by fibrous tissue connecting the nipple to deeper underlying layers. This tissue is shorter than surrounding area and prevents the nipple from protruding outside the body. There are three grades of nipple inversions from mildest (grade 1) to the most extreme (grade 3). Piercing the nipple can detach this binding tissue.  When jewelry is worn, the nipple heals in this extruded position. This can become a long-term viable option, even if the jewelry is removed after the healing process.

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​For best results, take special care when choosing a piercer. Although the procedure for an inverted nipple piercing does not change much from a typical nipple piercing, precise placement, piercing angle, jewelry sizing, and techniques are critical to freeing the nipple fully and evenly.
Unfortunately, not all body piercers have training/experience in handling this variation of body piercing. Commonly, we see mis-placed piercings and poor jewelry choices (too thin), which can lead to the body rejecting the new piercing and failure of the inversion correction.

We always recommend a consultation for an assessment of your personal anatomy to see if you are a good candidate for corrective piercing. Seek a piercer with specific knowledge and/or training on this subject. The Association of Professional Piercers (safepiercing.org) has a list of members near you, which can be a good starting point.