Recovery varies from person to person. Follow post-operative instructions, stay hydrated, care for wounds, wear compression garments & attend follow-ups.
April 26, 2026
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Chandler Bing's character in Friends is famously known for his humorous references to his third nipple, or "nubbin," a supernumerary nipple. This medical condition is estimated to occur in about 1 in 500 people, more commonly in men. The third nipple can present in various forms and classifications depending on its tissue composition.
They can be mistaken for moles or skin tags and may appear anywhere on the body. While often harmless, some people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. The removal procedure is generally straightforward and involves excising the extra nipple. Dr Ivan Puah at Amaris B. Clinic has decades of experience in cosmetic surgeries.
Chandler Bing wouldn't be Chandler without his quips and, some may say, his #nubbin.
If you are a fan of Friends, you would remember what his friends asked Chandler after Monica revealed his third nipple: "What does it look like?" Does it have hair on it? What happens if you flick it? Does it do anything special?
Chandler dismissed it by saying his nubbin is just a "tiny bump; it's totally useless."
So, are third nipples really harmless and completely useless? Do they really lactate? Do some people really find third nipples sexy in some cultures?
Is a third nipple a "rare disease"?
Nubbin means a small lump or residual part, as per the Oxford Dictionary.
Medically, the third nipple is called a supernumerary nipple – that is, several nipples greater than two.
It was estimated that third nipples are common and can occur in one in 500 humans, men and women alike [1].
Third nipples appear to be more common in men than in women [2] and can be found in:
- 0.22% of the Hungarian population
- 0.6% of white American infants
- 1.63% of Black American infants
- 2.5% of Israeli infants
- 4.7% of Israeli-Arabic children
- 5.6% of German children
- 5% of Japanese women
- 1.6% of Japanese men
- fewer than 200,000 people within the United States
The third (supernumerary) nipple categories
| Category 1 | Presence of third nipple, areola and underlying breast tissue |
| Category 2 | Presence of third nipple and underlying breast tissue only |
| Category 3 | Presence of breast tissue and an areola only |
| Category 4 | Presence of breast tissue only |
| Category 5 | Presence of nipple, areola and fatty tissue only |
| Category 6 | Presence of nipple only. Also known as "polythelia" |
Other supernumerary nipples classification
Healthcare professionals have classified supernumerary nipples according to their size, shape and tissue components.
How a third nipple is formed in the embryonic development
To better understand supernumerary nipples, let's take a look at how nipples are formed in the embryonic stage.
During the fourth week of pregnancy, ectoderm (which develops into skin, hair, nails, etc) thickens and completely develops into milk lines or mammary lines that stretch from the armpits to the groin.
When the mammary ridges don't completely disappear, a supernumerary nipple or breast forms.
Most of them are located below the regular nipples; however, it is not uncommon for them to form above.
What does a third nipple look like?
Extra nipples are barely noticeable and often mistaken for skin tags, moles, or even beauty marks.
Crazy medical fact: Extra nipples can also be found ANYWHERE on the body, like the hands, perineum, inner thighs and feet.
In such cases, the nubbins are identified medically as ectopic supernumerary nipples.
Third nipple removal procedure: What, How, Recovery
Most people who have supernumerary nipples ignore them or may not even notice they have one.
Third nipple symptoms
Occasionally, the third nipple is noticed only during puberty, menstruation, or pregnancy.
During this period, the third nipple and/or areola may look darker, feel tender, lactate or swell.
You may want to get them removed if you or your partner doesn't like how they look or feel, like Chandler does, or for cosmetic reasons.
How the third nipple removal procedure works at Amaris B. Clinic
Our Medical Director, Dr Ivan Puah, has almost two decades of experience in surgical body sculpting procedures, including accessory breast removal. He is accredited by the Ministry of Health, Singapore, to perform liposuction.
Dr Puah has developed two patented surgical techniques to refine body-sculpting procedures with minimal scarring and downtime.
The third nipple removal procedure is relatively straightforward.
During the third nipple removal, which is performed under local anaesthetic, a small incision no longer than 4mm will be made.
The nipple is then removed. Surgical stitches will be used to close the incision.
Scarring will be kept to the bare minimum.
You can return home immediately after surgery.
Swelling and bruising after surgery are to be expected.
Pain-relief medication will be prescribed to help with discomfort and soreness.
Third nipple on a third breast: What to do
Having a third breast means that the area contains underlying breast tissue.
A fully formed breast, this third breast is also known as 'Polymastia' (supernumerary breasts) or 'accessory breast tissue'.
The patient in the image above is considered to be under Category 1 (Presence of nipple, areola and underlying breast tissue).
If this happens in a woman, she is likely to go through the same hormonal changes, like lactation during pregnancy or become tender during menstruation, as her other two breasts.
She is also at risk of breast-related diseases [3].
Studies have shown that the proven method of accessory breast removal is surgical excision [4].
If fatty tissue is present and a smooth, natural contour is desired, it is better to combine gland excision with liposuction.
Different surgeries for different issues
| Issues & category | Type of surgeries |
|---|---|
| Category 1: Presence of third nipple, areola and underlying breast tissue. | Combination of accessory breast removal, nipple excision and liposuction |
| Category 2: Presence of third nipple and underlying breast tissue only | Accessory breast removal |
| Category 3: Presence of breast tissue and an areola only | Accessory breast removal |
| Category 4: Presence of breast tissue only | Accessory breast removal |
| Category 5: Presence of nipple, areola and fatty tissue | Combination of nipple excision and liposuction |
| Category 6: Presence of nipple only. Also known as "polythelia" | Nipple excision |
Book a consultation to better understand your condition and the permanent and safe solution that Amaris B. Clinic Singapore can provide.
