According to a New York Post report, nipple filler is gaining traction. In the era of “free the nipple,” the outlet highlights how this body part is receiving extra attention with a “designer nipple” treatment involving an injection and a syringe of filler—think of it like the permanent ice cube effect. So, we asked our plastic surgeon experts if this is a real trend they’re seeing and what patients need to know about it.
Featured Experts
- Dr. Elie Levine is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City
- Dr. Sanjay Grover is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, CA
A Slowly Evolving Trend
“This is not new,” says New York plastic surgeon Elie Levine. MD. “It has been a slowly evolving trend over the last decade. Women are becoming more comfortable with their bodies, and no differently than wearing tighter leggings or showing more cleavage, allowing the projection of the nipple to show something more women are comfortable with.”
Dr. Levine says this trend began with inverted nipple correction, a procedure that improves both aesthetics and function. “Correcting inverted nipples is virtually scarless, takes under an hour and can be done with local anesthesia. It’s not just about appearance—many women with inverted nipples struggle with breastfeeding,” he explains. ” For women who do not have inverted nipples but want to increase projection, that is where fillers come into play. These are both procedures I’ve been doing for a long time with a high level of patient satisfaction.”
For women without inverted nipples, filler injections offer another way to enhance projection. “Fillers like hyaluronic acid or hydroxylapatite, or Radiesse, can be used,” says Newport Beach, CA plastic surgeon Sanjay Grover, MD.
A Specialized Focus
Dr. Levine views nipple filler as part of a broader trend in aesthetic medicine, where more attention is paid to fine-tuning smaller areas of the body. Interestingly, the trend isn’t limited to women. “This is also growing among men,” Dr. Levine adds. “For example, there has been interest in men wanting nipples like David Beckham’s.”
Risks and Other Options
Dr. Grover emphasizes that precision is key. “This must be done with care and caution as there are always potential risks to the blood supply of the nipple,” he says. He also warns that calcium-based fillers like Radiesse may complicate mammograms due to calcium deposits potentially confusing radiologists.
“I see a number of women that may have redundant or floppy nipples following pregnancy and nursing. A ‘nipple reduction’ will actually help a woman achieve a much more youthful and perky nipple,” he adds.
The Ideal Candidate
Both doctors stress that the best candidates are those pursuing the procedure for themselves. “I’ve been doing it for a long time with a high level of patient satisfaction,” says Dr. Levine.
