Short answer: No. We could not find any study that links plucking nipple hair to breast cancer or any other cancer. Plucking can still cause problems, mainly ingrown hairs and inflamed or infected hair follicles, because the skin around the nipple is thin and sensitive. Trimming is the gentlest way to deal with nipple hair.
If you have searched for this, you have probably seen warnings online that plucking nipple hairs can “cause cancer.” It is an understandable worry, since the nipple sits on top of breast tissue. Here we look at where the idea comes from, what plucking actually does to the skin, and how to remove nipple hair with as little irritation as possible.
Does plucking nipple hair cause cancer?
There is no evidence that it does. We could not find a single study or case report showing that plucking hair from the nipple or areola (the darker circle of skin around the nipple) causes breast cancer or skin cancer.
Where does the cancer myth come from?
One possible source is a rare hair follicle growth called a pilomatricoma. It is an uncommon, harmless tumor that grows from the cells at the base of a hair, most often on the head and neck, and is usually diagnosed in children. [1] It is caused by a gene change in a single hair cell, not by plucking or hair removal. [1] A cancerous version, pilomatrix carcinoma, has been reported only very rarely. [1]
Another source of confusion is that nipple changes can be a warning sign of breast cancer. Red, flaky or thickened skin on the nipple, a nipple that turns inward, or discharge that is not breast milk should all be checked by a doctor. [2] These signs are not caused by plucking, but irritation from plucking should not be mistaken for them, and vice versa. If a red or scaly patch does not clear up within a couple of weeks after you stop removing hair, get it checked.
Is it bad to pluck nipple hair?
It is not dangerous, but it is not the gentlest choice either. Plucking pulls the whole hair out of the follicle, which can damage the follicle and the skin around it. These are the main problems it can cause:
Ingrown hairs
An ingrown hair is a hair that grows back into the skin instead of out of it, leaving an itchy, raised bump. Ingrown hairs are more common in areas that are shaved, waxed, plucked or threaded, and in people with coarse or curly hair. [3] Read more about ingrown nipple hair.
Irritated or infected hair follicles (folliculitis)
Folliculitis means inflamed hair follicles, which show up as small red bumps or pus-filled spots around the hairs. It can be caused by irritation from shaving, waxing or plucking. In this “irritant” type, there are no germs involved. [4] Folliculitis can also be caused by bacteria, most often Staphylococcus aureus, when follicles are damaged. [4], [5] Our article on enlarged hair follicles on the breasts covers this in more detail.
A route for infection into the breast
Breast infections usually happen in women who are breastfeeding, but the same principle applies to anyone: bacteria normally found on the skin can get into the breast through a break or crack in the skin, usually on the nipple. [6] Plucking rarely causes this, but it is a good reason to use clean tools and leave broken skin alone.
Does plucking make nipple hair grow back thicker?
We did not find any good evidence that plucking makes hair grow back thicker or darker. What plucking does not do is stop hair growth for good. See how many times you have to pluck a hair before it stops growing.
If you do pluck: how to lower the risk
Many women pluck the odd nipple hair without problems. If you prefer plucking, these steps help:
- Wash your hands and clean your tweezers before you start.
- Pluck after a warm shower, when the skin is softer.
- Grip the hair close to the skin and pull in the direction it grows.
- Pluck only a few hairs at a time, and leave any area with bumps or broken skin alone.
- If you get repeated bumps, stop plucking. For irritant folliculitis, DermNet advises stopping hair removal and waiting about 3 months after it settles before starting again. [4]
Gentler ways to remove nipple hair
Removing nipple hair is a personal choice. It is not harmful to leave it. If you want it gone, here are the options from gentlest to most involved.
Trimming
Trimming with small, clean scissors is the gentlest option. It does not touch the follicle, so it does not cause ingrown hairs or folliculitis. Lift the hair away from the skin with a fingertip, snip close to the base, and point the blade tips away from the nipple.
Shaving
Shaving can cause cuts, razor burn and ingrown hairs, [7] and the bumpy skin of the areola is easy to nick. If you shave, use a sharp razor, shave in the direction of growth with as few strokes as possible, and rinse the razor after each stroke. [3]
Waxing
Waxing removes hair from the root and results last a few weeks. [7] Skip it if you use isotretinoin (or have in the last 6 months), tretinoin or an antibiotic, since these thin the skin and it can tear when the wax is pulled off. [7] Like plucking, it can lead to ingrown hairs. [3]
Hair removal creams
Hair removal creams (depilatories) dissolve hair at the surface. Test a small area first, rinse at the first sign of burning or stinging, and stop using the product if it irritates your skin. [7] Read the label, as many creams list sensitive areas they are not meant for. We would not use them on the nipple itself.
Laser hair removal and electrolysis
Evidence: Moderate For longer-lasting results, the Endocrine Society suggests laser or light-based treatment for brown or black hair and electrolysis for white or blond hair. [8] Electrolysis can remove hair permanently. [7] A Cochrane review found that alexandrite and diode lasers reduced hair by about 50% for up to 6 months, although the 11 trials it included were small and none was high quality. [9] We found no studies looking at laser or electrolysis on the nipple specifically. Read more in laser hair removal on the nipples.
How to care for a red or sore bump after plucking
Evidence: Limited Most mild bumps settle by themselves. Advice from health services is based on clinical experience rather than trials, but it is low risk:
- Apply a warm, moist compress a few times a day. This may help the follicle drain. [5]
- Keep the area clean and wear soft, loose clothing to reduce friction. [5]
- Do not scratch, pick or squeeze the bump, as this can damage the skin and cause infection. [3]
- Do not dig at a trapped hair with tweezers or a needle. If it needs to come out, a doctor can remove it with a sterile needle. [3]
- Stop removing hair in that area until the skin has fully healed. [4]
Contact a doctor if the bump lasts longer than 2 or 3 days, keeps coming back or gets worse, [5] or if the area becomes very painful, hot or swollen, or you get a fever or feel unwell. [3] A doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream or tablets, or an antifungal if yeast is the cause. [5], [4]
When nipple hair is worth mentioning to a doctor
A few nipple hairs are common. More hair, or hair that is getting coarser, can be part of hirsutism, which is most often caused by PMOS (formerly PCOS). About 70 to 80% of women with hirsutism have PCOS (now PMOS). [8] The condition was renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome in 2026. [10] Talk to your doctor if you also have irregular periods, acne, or hair growing in several areas, and see a doctor promptly if hair growth is sudden or fast, or comes with a deepening voice or an enlarged clitoris. These can point to a rare androgen-producing tumor. [8] Take our hirsutism self-check or read why you might have hair on your breasts.
Frequently asked questions
Can plucking nipple hair cause breast cancer?
No. We found no study linking plucking with breast cancer. Plucking can cause ingrown hairs and folliculitis, which are skin problems, not cancer. [3], [4]
Is it bad to pluck nipple hair?
It is not dangerous, but it can cause ingrown hairs and inflamed follicles. [3], [4] Trimming is gentler. If you pluck, use clean tweezers and leave broken or bumpy skin alone.
Why do I have a bump after plucking a nipple hair?
It is most likely an ingrown hair or an irritated follicle. Most settle with warm compresses and time. See a doctor if it is very painful, swollen or hot, or lasts more than a few days. [3], [5]
Is it normal to have hair on your nipples?
Yes. Doctors rate hair around the nipples as the lowest grade on the chest when they score hirsutism. [11]
Key takeaways
- There is no evidence that plucking nipple hair causes cancer.
- Plucking can cause ingrown hairs and folliculitis, so use clean tools and stop if bumps appear.
- Trimming with small scissors is the gentlest method.
- Any nipple change such as discharge, inward turning or scaly skin should be checked by a doctor, whatever the cause.
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Sources
- DermNet. Pilomatricoma. Accessed October 2026. Link
- American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer. Accessed October 2026. Link
- NHS. Ingrown hairs. Accessed October 2026. Link
- DermNet. Folliculitis. Accessed October 2026. Link
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Folliculitis. Accessed October 2026. Link
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Breast infection. Accessed October 2026. Link
- American Academy of Dermatology. 6 ways to remove unwanted hair. Accessed October 2026. Link
- Martin KA, Anderson RR, Chang RJ, et al. Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(4):1233-1257. PubMed 29522147
- Haedersdal M, Gøtzsche PC. Laser and photoepilation for unwanted hair growth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(4):CD004684. Cochrane summary
- Teede HJ, Bahri Khomami M, Morman R, Laven JSE, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet. 2026;407(10545):2329-2339. PubMed 42119588
- DermNet. Hirsutism. Accessed October 2026. Link
This article is for education and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor about diagnosis and treatment.