How to wear nipple covers: shape, placement and removal
How to wear nipple covers: which shape works for which neckline, how to put them on so they stay, how to peel them off gently and how to care for your skin.
Nipple covers solve a small problem that can ruin a whole outfit: a thin top, a backless dress or a workout shirt where you do not want a bra, but you do not want to show either. They are simple to use once you know three things: which shape to pick, how to apply them so they stay, and how to take them off without making your skin angry.
Which nipple cover shape should I wear?
Our Disposable Nipple Covers come in three shapes. Round and flower are about 2.4 inches across, and heart is about 2.6 inches. Since they are close in size, the shape is mostly about what you like and what you are wearing.
- Round: a smooth, simple edge. A good first try under tight, thin knits and fitted tees.
- Flower: the same size as round, with a petal edge, if you like a softer outline.
- Heart: a touch larger, for when you want a little more coverage under a light or sheer fabric.
Where to place them for each neckline
Center the cover over the nipple, then adjust for the cut of your top. ThirdLove, a bra brand, gives these placement tips:
- Deep plunge: place the covers a little closer together so the edges stay hidden inside the neckline.
- Halter or tie neck: place them slightly higher to follow the lift of the neckline.
- Cowl neck: angle them a little toward the center.
- Deep V back: set them slightly inward so the edges do not peek out at the side.
- One shoulder: line each one up with the side that has more fabric.
How do you put on nipple covers so they stay?
- Start with clean, cool, completely dry skin. Skip lotion, oil and sunscreen on that area, since they stop the adhesive from gripping.
- Wait a few minutes after a warm shower. Warm, damp skin makes covers slide.
- Peel the backing, center the cover and press from the middle out to push out any air.
- Move before you get dressed: raise your arms, twist and sit down. If an edge lifts, press it again.
Our covers are thin non-woven fabric with a light adhesive around a breathable, non-stick center, so the adhesive sits on the skin around the nipple, not on the nipple itself.
How to take them off gently
Nurses who remove medical tape all day use a simple method called low and slow, described in American Nurse Journal. It works for nipple covers too.
- Lift one edge and peel the cover back low, close to the skin, not straight up.
- Go slowly and hold the skin flat with your other hand as you peel.
- If it feels stuck, wet the edge with a little water and wait a moment. Water and gentle oils can help loosen adhesive. Then wash the area with soap and water.
- Throw the cover away. They are single use.
Can nipple covers irritate your skin?
They can, and it helps to know why. DermNet, a dermatology resource, lists skin being stripped by repeatedly removing adhesive as a main cause of irritation. True allergy to acrylic adhesives is rare, but it does happen, and it tends to show up everywhere the adhesive touched.
- Patch test first. Stick one cover on the inside of your forearm before the day you need it. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that an allergic reaction can take time to appear, so check the spot again later.
- Watch for the signs. The AAD lists itching, a red or discolored rash, burning or stinging, hives and blisters as signs of contact dermatitis.
- Skip them on skin that is already irritated, broken or sunburned. Fragile skin is more likely to be hurt when adhesive comes off.
- Give your skin a break between long wears instead of covering the same spot every day.
- If a rash keeps coming back, stop using them and see a dermatologist, who can patch test you for adhesive allergy.
Building a smooth outfit
Covers are one piece of a smooth look. If you are getting ready for a fitted dress, The Smooth Day Kit puts our faja bodysuit, a high-waist shaping short and a 100 pack of covers together, so you can pick what the outfit needs that day.
The short version: clean dry skin on, slow and low off, and listen to your skin. If it says no, take a break.
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Questions
Why will my nipple covers not stick?
Usually there is lotion, oil, sunscreen or a little sweat on the skin. Apply them to clean, cool, completely dry skin and press from the center out.
How do you take off nipple covers without it hurting?
Peel slowly from one edge, keeping the cover low and close to the skin, and hold the skin flat with your other hand. If one sticks, a little water at the edge can help loosen it.
Can nipple covers irritate your skin?
They can. Peeling adhesive off again and again can irritate skin, and a few people are allergic to adhesives. Test one on your forearm first and stop if you get itching, redness or a rash.
Can I reuse disposable nipple covers?
No. Disposable fabric covers are made for one wear. After one wear, peel it off gently and throw it away.
Keep reading
Sources: ThirdLove: how to wear nipple covers with a backless dress · American Nurse Journal: a guide to adhesive removal · DermNet: skin problems from stomas (adhesive irritation and allergy) · American Academy of Dermatology: contact dermatitis signs and symptoms