Medically reviewed by Dr. Omar Tillo MD, MS, EBOPRAS, FRCS (Plast) The appearance of puffy nipples can cause men to become self-conscious of their chest. This is a common symptom of gynecomastia, commonly known as ‘man boobs’. In this article, we will discuss how you can get rid of puffy nipples and improve the aesthetic of your chest.
What Causes Puffy Nipples?
Nipples with a prominent cone shape can cause the areola to appear ‘puffy’ in appearance. This is typically a result of excess breast tissue pushing the areola and nipple areas forward, giving a prominent or ‘puffy’ effect.
There are several factors that can cause excess breast tissue development, known as gynecomastia:
Hormonal Imbalances
The main cause of puffy nipples in men is a hormone imbalance. When the body produces too much oestrogen (the female sex hormone) and not enough testosterone (the male sex hormone), breast tissue can develop. During puberty, hormone levels can become imbalanced naturally, causing gynecomastia and puffy nipples in teenage boys. However, this typically dissipates as hormone levels naturally even out in early adulthood.
Steroid Use
Many men who use anabolic steroids can develop symptoms of gynecomastia, such as puffy nipples. This is because some steroids can interfere with hormone levels, leading to an imbalance.
Excess Body Fat
Being overweight can increase levels of oestrogen, leading to gynecomastia and puffy nipples in men. In addition, excess fat around the chest can also exacerbate the appearance of puffy nipples.
Natural Remedies
The treatment of puffy nipples in men is dependent on the cause of the issue. However, there are two general lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the appearance of puffy nipples:
Exercise
You can improve the appearance of the chest area and puffy nipples by exercising regularly. Engaging in cardiovascular exercises, such as jogging or swimming, can help to reduce the overall amount of fat in your body. In addition, doing targeted pectoral exercises, such as bench pressing and pushups, can help to build muscle in the chest and reduce the appearance of puffy nipples.
Diet
Maintaining a healthy diet can help to control the amount of fat in your body, including your chest, reducing the appearance of puffy nipples. Additionally, consuming too much fat can increase your oestrogen production, leading to more prominent puffy nipples in men. Try eating a low-fat diet with testosterone-rich foods such as garlic, ginger, and tuna.
Cosmetic Procedures
For gynecomastia that does not go away naturally, patients may wish to consider cosmetic procedures for a permanent solution.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery, or a male breast reduction, is a cosmetic procedure to remove excess skin and glandular tissue from the chest. This helps to contour and flatten the chest, as well as improve the appearance of puffy nipples.
Benefits
- Gynecomastia surgery can create a more aesthetically-pleasing, chiselled chest free of puffy nipples.
- Enlarged breast tissue can cause discomfort and self–consciousness as it moves during physical activity. By removing this, patients feel more confident to engage in exercise and other activities.
Before and After
Cost
The cost of gynecomastia surgery at the CREO Clinic starts at £6,900. However, the price can vary depending on the type of anaesthetics used and whether or not skin tightening or liposuction is used.
As gynecomastia surgery is an individualised cosmetic procedure, the full cost breakdown will only be provided following a 1-to-1 consultation with our cosmetic surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo.
Procedure
A male breast reduction is an invasive cosmetic procedure conducted under general anaesthetic or deep sedation. After anaesthetic or a sedative is administered, an incision is made around the nipples. The exact size and placement of these incisions are determined by several factors, including the amount of skin laxity. Any excess skin and glandular tissue is then removed. After this, the incisions are closed.
Recovery
Following surgery, you will be provided with tailored aftercare instructions, as well as any prescriptions for pain relief to ensure the most comfortable recovery possible. Patients may experience side effects such as swelling, soreness, and bruising in the affected area, though this will dissipate with time.
In general, patients are able to resume most daily activities 1-2 weeks after surgery but should wait up to 6 weeks to engage in strenuous exercise.
Results
Immediately after your gynecomastia procedure, you will be able to notice your flatter and more contoured chest and reduced appearance of puffy nipples. However, you must wait for any swelling to completely subside for the full results to become apparent, which can take up to 6 months. After this, you will be able to enjoy your chiseled chest to its fullest effect.
Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic Today
If you have puffy nipples, you may benefit from gynecomastia surgery to flatten and tone your chest. At the CREO Clinic, Dr. Tillo is a body contouring specialist, and has dedicated his career to enhancing all aspects of the body, including the chest.
With his vast clinical experience and expertise, Dr. Tillo is able to provide you with tailored solutions to your body’s needs. Contact us today to book a consultation and get started on the path to your dream physique.