Many people choose to get a nipple piercing because they look stylish, and it makes them feel good about their bodies. Popstar Rihanna has flaunted her nipple piercing on many occasions. Moreover, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner have also revealed their nipple piercings. A celebrity might have inspired you to get your nipples pierced. Or maybe you just want to make a bold fashion statement. Certainly, they can look quite stylish when you’re wearing a bikini or sheer clothing.
However, many women wonder if they can get a nipple piercing after they’ve gotten breast surgery. If you already have one, you might want to know if you will need to remove it. We understand if you might want to get your nipples pierced soon after the surgery.
For many, it completes their new transformation. But the problem is that a nipple piercing will create a hole in your skin, which will allow for the entry of bacteria. This is certainly more problematic if you’re healing from breast augmentation surgery. It poses a risk to the implants. Nipple piercing does increase your chances of getting an infection, but this does not mean that you can never get them.
As nipple piercing can take a year to heal completely, you’ll have to keep its recovery timeline in mind if you’re getting it done before or after breast augmentation. Healing time can vary as it depends on how well you take care of yourself. We are frequently asked by our patients if they can get a nipple piercing after the surgery or not. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Hopefully, this guide will help you in making up your mind about this.
Can You Wear Nipple Piercing Before Breast Surgery?
It is quite likely that you’ll have to remove your piercings before the surgery takes place. It’s better if you remove them before coming to the clinic because this will ensure the safety of your valuables.
Moreover, during the surgery, the nipple piercing might end up acting as a hindrance in the entry of the implant inside your breast tissue if you are having breast augmentation surgery. So, to avoid any interference by the piercings during the surgery, you should remove them. You should also make sure to remove any other jewellery that you’re wearing so as to keep it safe.
Depending on the site of the incision during your breast surgery, you might need to remove it beforehand. If you’re getting a mastopexy, which is breast uplift, the surgeon will make a periareolar incision. This can increase the risk of infection in your breast tissue or the tissue around the implant. You can wear your piercing back when you complete your recovery.
Even if the surgeon is making an inframammary incision, which is under the breast crease, you should remove your nipple piercing. This is, of course, preventative. If you do get infected, you might have to remove your implants, which is going to add to your expenses.
Moreover, electrocauterization takes place for the closing up of the surgical site to stop the bleeding. If the surgical site is near the piercing (made of metal), the process can burn your skin. This is why it’s better to remove it. Even if your piercing is made of plastic, you’ll be asked to remove it so it doesn’t interfere with the surgeon.
After you’ve removed the piercing, make sure to clean the area. Nipple piercings can become a cause of concern for many patients before breast augmentation. However, you should know that if you do things right, you can enjoy this accessory. You just have to make sure to keep the skin clean before and after the surgery so that an infection doesn’t develop.
Can You Wear Plastic Spacers After Breast Surgery?
As there’s a certain recovery period after you have breast augmentation surgery, many patients worry that their piercing hole will close up. Nipple piercings are quick but painful. So, you might not want to go through the experience of getting your nipples pierced again. This is why some patients ask us if they can wear plastic spacers.
Unfortunately, you cannot and should not. The bacteria on the plastic can increase your risk of breast infection. It will take some time for the stitches in the surgical area to heal. Once you’ve adequately recovered, you should consult the surgeon about re-inserting your nipple piercing. If it has closed up, you can get them pierced again. But only do this after you’ve thoroughly discussed it with the surgeon.
Should You Get Your Nipples Pierced After Breast Surgery?
You’re strongly advised against getting a nipple piercing soon after breast surgery. This doesn’t mean that you can never get it. Only after your wound has completely healed and your doctor has given you the green light should you go forward with it.
Otherwise, it can greatly increase the risk of infection. Each of your breasts has mammary ducts and glands. The glands produce milk, which goes to the nipple while passing through the mammary ducts. The problem is that endogenous bacteria that normally live in our bodies reside in the mammary ducts.
If you get a nipple piercing right after the surgery, these bacteria can easily enter sterile parts of the body, which can cause an infection. The piercing would allow the bacteria to penetrate the breast tissue.
This can end up infecting your implant cavity. In certain instances, when the infection is too serious, the surgeon may have to remove the breast implants. You can be left with badly scarring if you have an infection due to this. It can even impact the cosmetic appearance of your boobs after the surgery, which is why you should wait for some time.
Are You at A Risk of Infection If You Had A Nipple Piercing Years Before Breast Surgery?
If you’re simply getting a nipple piercing without ever intending to get breast surgery, you should know that the piercing can cause an infection after your breast surgery. Pus can build up in the area, and you might experience pain and swelling.
The infection from the piercing can even spread to other parts of your body. This is why early intervention is important. Scarring is another concern with nipple piercing. So, the risk of infection comes with nipple piercing, whether you’re getting breast surgery or not.
When you’re going to have breast augmentation, the risk from nipple piercing includes damage to the implants. Breast implant infection can occur, so you have to make sure that you follow all the post-operative instructions to keep the area clean and protected. We do provide our patients with prescription antibiotics. You should take them as directed by the doctor.
In case the infection from the piercing is too serious, you might need to have the surgery again. So, you should not get a nipple piercing right before the surgery or right after it. Even if you simply take out the piercing to replace it, you can risk infection.
How To Know If Your Nipple Piercing Is Infected After Breast Implants?
Right before the surgery, you will remove the nipple piercings. You should not wear them until your surgeon tells you that it’s okay to do so. That’s because you can end up with an infected nipple piercing. If you do notice any of the following signs of infection, make sure to reach out to us:
- Redness
- Warmth
- Pain
- Swelling
- Oozing
- Fever
- Fatigue
It is possible for you to have an infected nipple piercing even if you got the piercing months after the augmentation surgery. This is why you need to keep an eye out and immediately inform us about any problems.
How To Treat An Infected Nipple Piercing?
As mentioned above, it is important that you reach out to your doctor immediately if you have an infected nipple piercing. Your doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic for it. Meanwhile, do not try to drain the pus yourself, as it can worsen the problem.
Make sure to keep the area clean using a gentle soap. A warm compress may also help with the pain and swelling of the infection. You may or may not have to end up removing the piercing, but do not do this yourself without consulting your doctor.
In Conclusion
There are some risks that accompany nipple piercings. You can get them, but you should discuss this further with your surgeon. Keep in mind that the risk of infection can jeopardise the results of your breast augmentation. Therefore, it’s better if you wait for some time. After the surgery, you can eventually get your nipples pierced.
Even if you’re not getting an implant, you should know that nipple piercings increase the risk of breast infections. You can potentially form an abscess, which is a painful build-up of pus. It can also cause problems in breastfeeding. Make sure that you’re aware of all the health risks associated with nipple piercing before you decide to get them.
Before the surgery, your surgeon will ask you to remove any nipple piercings. The piercing poses a risk during the surgery. It can burn your skin and create problems in the placement of the implants. You should wait for your skin to heal and then contact the surgeon. They’ll let you know if it’s the right time for you to get a nipple piercing. Even if you get it months after the surgery, make sure that you maintain good body hygiene. You should clean your piercing a few times a day and soak it in saltwater. Moreover, you need to wear loose clothes so that the rubbing doesn’t cause a rash or irritate the skin. If your clothes are too tight, bacteria can build-up in the area and cause an infection.
Whenever you do decide to get a piercing after breast augmentation, do consult your surgeon. If you already have one, you can inform your contact person at Longevita about this. We’ll ask our surgeon about your situation and advise you accordingly.
