Different color nipples after Rads

bedo

I'm not sure if it is from the surgery, they put the incision along the outside of the areola, and I had a lumpectomy and then radiation.  The RO said that the nipple might be "lighter, darker, or I don't know"  I am grateful for radiation as I think that it was a good decision and improved my chances but does the color return to normal after a while? It's been 4 months. The girl is a pale girl. So I've got David Bowie nipples ! 

changes

I finished radiation in August 2010, and still have a very pale nipple.

elimar86861

The RO got this one right.  Give it a year or so and that should be close to what color you stay with.

lane4

During rads, my nipple/areola turned dark brown (my natural color is pink). Two years later, it has faded to a light brown or tan color, but it has not turned back to pink. My RO told me it would "pink back up," but I think everything he told me was what he thought I wanted to hear and not necessarily the truth.

Panmars

Mine turned a very dark brown too, but 10 months later now, and it's back to normal. Looks just like it did before rads. However, one thing I have noticed that hasn't returned to normal is my sweat glands. I do not sweat anymore in the radiated area. Weird, huh? 

pejkug3

I'm only 4 months out of rads but my nipple is still quite dark.  Heck, the entire breast is dark still.

The skin is weird feeling - kinda rubbery or something?  When I cram the girls into a sports bra to work out, the irradiated breast maintains that "crammed in a bra" look for about 30-45 minutes after I take the bra off. 

elimar86861

pejkug3,  Your tissue is retaining fluid (edema.)   It's pretty normal, but read about massage for truncal edema and you can move the fluids out of there.  (You Tube has lymphedema massage videos.)  I had the same thing and it lasted for a few months too.  Eventually, some new lymph vessels can form, but for now the massage should help.

Makratz

Took mine a little over a year to fade.  Hopefully yours will too!

IAMNOTTHIS74

I'm suffering from hypopigmentation ot the radiated breast my brown turned very black skin sloughed off. Now, it's pink since July. Will my color return? Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks

Bounce

When I finished rads the skin peeled off my nipple and it was very pale compared to the other side.

For some reason this upset me a lot!

I am glad to say that although it took quite a lot of time (maybe even more than a year) the two eventually became the same color.

I did use calendula oil on my breast once I had finished rads. I believe it helped. I still use it on my breast occasionally if I notice the skin is looking dry.

I recommend the Calendula oil made by Weleda - it is expensive but lasts ages and is not tested on animals - it also doesn't contain animal ingredients. It worked for me.