“The nipple or areola colour can vary from person to person, but anywhere between pink to dark brown is considered normal. The colour can change due to hormonal fluctuations in the body, and also when you are pregnant. Several women feel that it goes darker when they are about to conceive.
Just like with breasts, there's no one way that nipples are supposed to look. Both nipples and areolas (the circular skin around your nipple) come in different sizes and colors, from light pink to brownish black. The color of your nipples usually relates to your skin color.
Pink nipples are normal, and so are other colors
Much like our eye color or skin color, nipples come in different shades of pinks to browns. Some people have naturally light pink ones, while others have them in a deep, dark brown.
Whether your nipples are so pale you can see your blue veins (oh, hey) or they're a rich shade of brown, you needn't worry—they're totally normal. “Nipple color is not indicative of health in any way,” Patt tells SELF.
Back in 2017, experts on The Doctors, a daytime medical-related talk show on America's NBC, claimed the best natural lipstick is one which matches the colour of your areolas. Turns out your top lip is the same shade as your nips.
The areola is often darker than the nipple itself. Depending on your skin tone, the color can range from pale pink to dark brown. Your nipples/areolas can change color because of: Hormonal changes (menstrual cycle and menopause)
People see natural changes in their nipples and breasts as their bodies develop and age. Many life events, such as menstruation, pregnancy, and breast-feeding can all cause the nipples to darken.
After you go through menopause, your nipples may become paler in color. During this time, levels of estrogen are falling.
Nipples turning white (known as nipple blanching) can occur after feeding and is due to the blood flow to the nipple being limited. Blanching is most commonly related to latch problems.
Blanching can be the result of a vasospasm, when the blood vessels constrict and spasm,1 or from any other situation that temporarily stops the blood from flowing to the nipples. When this happens, the nipples turn pale or white, and there may be a painful, burning sensation.
Breast development during puberty
2.1 Stage 1 This stage begins at about 8-12 years old, the nipples just begin to pop up, pink circle appears.
The main cause of darkened areolas and dark nipples are hormones. Progesterone and estrogen cause the body to produce more pigment. This is why many women see splotches and patches of darkened skin all over their bodies.
Areolas can also change in size as you age, gain or lose weight, or experience hormonal changes during puberty, periods, pregnancy, or menopause. While most of these changes are normal and perfectly harmless, certain changes may warrant an examination by a healthcare provider.
You might notice that your nipples change as well. It's common for nipples to become smaller, and the area around them, called the areola, almost vanishes. Lumps. Older breasts may be more prone to lumps or bumps.
The skin on your breasts should naturally be more or less flat and smooth. Again, consistency is key. Bumps and birthmarks that are always present are not a problem. A sudden change in the skin on your breasts should be reported to a doctor.
The breasts get bigger and rounder as the fatty tissue and milk-producing glands inside the breasts continue to grow. The areola also gets bigger and darker and the nipples may stick out. By the age of 17, a girl's breasts will usually be fully developed, although this may take a bit longer.
Lipstick nipple
If your nipple comes out of your baby's mouth flattened, or slanted like a new tube of lipstick, it's a sign your baby's latch when breastfeeding isn't deep enough. You may not feel any pain, but this is still a cause for concern. “In the long term, the milk supply might suffer,” says Griffin.
Montgomery glands can become filled with a waxy substance. The gland then resembles a pimple with a white or yellowish head. These spots are known as Montgomery tubercles. Women do not have to be pregnant or breast-feeding for this to occur.
Stimulating, caressing or simply holding breasts sends nerve signals to the brain, which trigger the release of the 'cuddle hormone' called oxytocin, a neurochemical secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland in the brain.
Change in Nipple Color
Common reasons for color change include general aging and/or pregnancy. However, one of the more overlooked reasons for changes in nipple color is associated with the presence of breast cancer. It's especially abnormal if it's occurring in only one nipple and not evenly on both breasts.
Secretion of hormones causes the production of extra melanin in the intimate area. It makes the private area skin darker. The skin in intimate parts gets darker as you grow up. However, the sudden and excessive darkening can be due to an underlying disease or infection.
If you've lost significant weight recently, your areola may get smaller, but not as much you expect. Areola reduction surgery can help reduce the pigmented area around your nipples.
Breast buds are small, disc-shaped lumps felt under the nipple and areola. Any lump found under the areola is a breast bud until proven otherwise. Breast symptoms in newborns are also covered. Other symptoms: breast lump, breast redness and nipple discharge.
We have been asked, “should you wear a bra to bed?” and the honest answer is… it's totally up to you! Whether you choose to sleep in a bra (or not) is entirely your choice.