No, if a nipple is completely damaged or removed, it will not grow back. While minor injuries might heal, significant damage resulting in complete loss of the nipple is permanent.
Understanding Nipple Regeneration
The ability of a nipple to regenerate depends entirely on the extent of the damage.
- Minor Injuries: Small cuts or abrasions may heal, leaving minimal scarring. The nipple's structure remains largely intact in these cases.
- Major Injuries: Complete removal or severe damage to the nipple results in permanent loss. The surrounding tissue will heal, but it will not regenerate nipple-specific tissue. This is because the healed tissue will be regular skin tissue, not the specialized tissue of the nipple. The area may scar.
Several sources confirm this: A Healthline article and other online resources, including Reddit discussions, state that complete removal or significant damage prevents regrowth. One exception noted is research on regenerating nipples for breast cancer survivors using a scaffold that allows for the regeneration of new tissue, but this is not natural regrowth in the absence of surgical intervention. (UTSA student start-up is an example)
It's important to note that the book Nipples Do Grow Back by Seth Hansen is a work of fiction and does not provide scientific evidence supporting nipple regeneration after complete removal.
Examples of Nipple Loss
Nipple loss can occur due to:
- Accidents: Severe trauma, such as a motorbike accident, can cause nipple damage or removal.
- Surgery: Mastectomy or other breast surgeries might involve nipple removal.
