Areola

The areola is the circular, pigmented patch of skin that surrounds the nipple on the breast. It contains specialized sebaceous glands (Montgomery glands), hair follicles, and sensory nerve endings, and its size, color and texture naturally vary with genetics, hormonal changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding and aging.

In surgical and reconstructive contexts the appearance and function of the areola are important considerations: procedures may change its size, position or pigmentation, and options for addressing these changes include areolar reduction or repositioning, areolar reconstruction after mastectomy, and medical tattooing (micropigmentation) to restore color. Patients should be aware that healing can affect scarring, sensation and pigment stability, and these factors are discussed as part of preoperative planning and postoperative care.