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Nips that Stick

Written as a Guest Blog for the closed Facebook group "DiepCJourney - Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy" and the website blog that provides education, compassionate support and excellent resources for breast cancer "thrivers" and health care professionals. (revised version)

Wouldn't it be nice if prosthetic nipples would stick just like window cling? You simply slap them on and they stay on until you peeled them off. Newsflash: skin isn't like glass! Our marvelous, living, breathing skin with natural oils and sweat glands just isn't like the surface of glass -thank goodness!.

"Nips that don't stick" is a common and frustrating problem for many types of prosthetic nipples. Falling off at embarrassing moments or potentially getting lost can understandably be deal breakers for women considering nipple prosthetics after breast cancer surgery.

Finding a way to provide secure adhesion for Naturally Impressive nipples sticking securely on the breast was one of our first big challenges. We had developed a nipple that looked fantastically real, but when using Pros-Aide water based adhesive, they only stayed on a few days, at best. Often I'd find them in the bedsheets in the morning or stuck to my husband's arm! A bit funny, but also VERY frustrating! And if you've paid a few hundred dollars for it and it gets lost, that's financially painful.

The core issue relates to silicone. Silicone is a wonderful, safe, versatile material to work with for prosthetics of any kind. It's strong, yet pliable, has low toxicity, high thermal stability and does not absorb organic material that could lead to bacterial growth. It can be colored extrinsically or intrinsically for a natural appearance. The biggest problem is that many skin-safe adhesives will not stick reliably to silicone.

You can add plastics to the silicone - as another nipple prosthetic company does. That will help a water based adhesive like Pros-Aide provide an effective hold, but it will also make the prosthetic look and feel stiffer - less real.

We have been able to preserve the softer, more natural appearance and feeling of Naturally Impressive nipples and yet provide nipples that stay on securely through using a highly safety tested, FDA approved, silicone based adhesive (Telesis).

Naturally Impressive nipples stay on securely for 1 to 2 weeks per adhesive application. The edges will start to loosen towards the end of wear time, but the center adhesion remains strong. The one exception to be aware of is that because Telesis adhesive is heat activated, prolonged exposure to heat (hot tubs, saunas, sunbathing) can loosen the grip.

Now women can enjoy the ultimate in realism along with the peace of mind that they can shower, swim, exercise and be intimate with confidence wearing Naturally Impressive nipple prosthetics.

Free Naturally Impressive nipple demo and brochures are available to MDs / Nurse Navigators upon request.

Randi RN, BSN
Co-founder Naturally Impressive, LLC

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