Wrinkling skin is associated with the natural aging process. However, aging is only one of many potential causes of wrinkles on the nipples, some of which may be severe. Nipples may be flat or cylindrical in shape, or sometimes inverted, and may change shape from moment to moment. They’re found on top of a surrounding circle of skin and glands called the areola. Areolas vary in color from light pink to brownish-black, depending on your skin tone.
If you just gave birth, your nipples will release milk from duct systems that fill up in each breast during pregnancy. During breastfeeding, the cells in the areolas release fluid that helps lubricate the nipples. The nipples have muscles that contract and make them more erect (stand up) when stimulated by breastfeeding, cold, or touch. Most people will experience wrinkled nipples from time to time, sometimes permanently, as they age.
In this article, we will discuss some things you should know about nipple wrinkling.
Why do my nipples wrinkle up sometimes?
Aging is a common cause of wrinkly nipples. Other causes include:
Aging & Dry skin
Changes in the breasts are inevitable consequences of aging for most women. As you age, the breasts lose tissue, elasticity and glands for producing milk. During menopause, the breasts may gain fat but shrink in size. These changes, which are majorly caused by fluctuating hormones in the body, often cause the breasts to sag. Aging may give nipples a wrinkled appearance.
Dry skin is a major problem. In some cases, it could give the nipple a wrinkled appearance. Eczema [1], an inflammatory skin disease, can also affect the nipples. Eczema leads to extremely dry skin and, sometimes, blistered lesions that crust over, giving a wrinkled appearance.