American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics indicate that breast augmentation was the number one cosmetic surgical procedure performed on women in 2007 and breast reduction was number five on that list. Nearly 400,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed in 2007 and more than 150,000 breast reduction procedures. These numbers clearly indicate that many women have issues with the size and shape of their breasts and are willing to go under the knife to address them.
Though not often discussed, it stands to reason that women opting for these surgeries are also concerned with the shape, size and location of the areola. The areola is the pigmented area of skin that surrounds the nipple. There are surgical procedures available to enlarge or reduce the areola and these are often performed in conjunction with the breast augmentation or reduction surgeries.
There are now creative, new non-surgical options available to women that are unhappy with the shape or size of their nipples. It is important to many women that their areolae and nipples appear symmetrical, that they not be disproportionate or unmatched in size.
Radiesse is a wrinkle filler that can be injected to create a larger nipple, enhancing its size and shape. Radiesse (formerly known as Radiance) is a filler FDA-approved for the correction of facial lines and wrinkles such as nasolabial folds. Radiesse is calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel and is injected into the skin through a simple, minimally invasive procedure offering immediate, visible improvement and providing long-lasting results.
Radiesse can be injected to create a larger nipple and to smooth the texture of the nipple, addressing any asymmetries and improving the overall look of the breast. Radiesse can also be used to reduce the appearance of scars that were the result of previous surgical procedures.
When used to treat facial folds and wrinkles, Radiesse is indicated to last for a year or more. Nipple augmentation or correction is a procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis that takes only a few moments. And, as it is non-surgical there are none of the risks attendant with all surgical procedures.