Most people assume that sagging breasts is an unavoidable part of aging and that there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. Although most people do lose the perkiness as they age, there are plenty of ways to stop the severity. Read on as we debunk 5 common myths about sagging breasts and a few things you can do to stop it!
1. Breastfeeding Causes Sagging
Not true! A study done in 2008 and found in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal reported that breastfeeding is not a real risk factor. Researchers found that about half of women who had been pregnant reported noticeable sagging (breast ptosis), but the cause was linked to age, higher BMI, smoking, and multiple pregnancies. There was no link between sagging and breastfeeding (1).
2. Wearing A Bra Helps To Prevent Sagging
Again, not true. There is no data that suggests wearing more supportive bras, or wearing bras more often has any effect on sagging over time. In fact, in The Bare Facts documentary, former CEO of bra brand Playtex, John Dixey, explains, “We have no evidence that wearing a bra could prevent sagging because the breast itself is not a muscle, so keeping it toned up is an impossibility.” (2)
So, there’s no need to wear a bra for a long period of time (or at all- it’s all about your own preference)- even the most supportive bra won’t affect how your breasts are shaped after you take it off.
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3. Small Breasts Don’t Sag
Unfortunately, even small breasts are subject to gravity and aging. Whether or not your breasts sag depends on your ratio of breast tissue to fat, since it’s the fattier breasts that sag more.
Professor of surgery, Dr. Robert Mansell explains, “With age, the supporting structures which are made of collagen get thinner and thinner. That happens to not only the supporting ligaments that are holding the breast up but also the other tissues. If you have a mainly fatty blob on the chest in a bag of skin it is going to hang down. It is a complete myth that this is stopped by wearing a bra.” (3)
4. Certain Exercises Can Keep Breasts Perky
Breasts don’t contain muscles, so there aren’t any exercises that can specifically help to retain the shape, like with arm or legs muscles. However, according to Deborah Axelrod MD, the medical director of the clinical breast services at New York University Langone Medical Center, exercising the chest muscles, especially the pectoralis major muscle can help to keep breasts elevated.(4)
5. There’s Nothing You Can Do To Prevent Sagging
False! Although a little sagging in the breasts is usually inevitable for most women, there are definitely steps that can be taken to minimize this by-product of aging. Don’t give up yet! Check out these easy steps below.
4 Easy Home Methods To Prevent Sagging Breasts
As women age, changes in the body can result in the natural sagging of the breasts. While this process is a common part of aging, many seek to maintain firmness and lift to improve comfort and confidence. Fortunately, there are simple, at-home methods that can help prevent sagging breasts and support overall breast health. In this guide, you’ll learn about four easy home practices that can strengthen the chest muscles, improve posture, and maintain skin elasticity for firmer, more lifted breasts.
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1. Chest Exercises
Although there aren’t any muscles in the breasts to exercise, you can exercise the chest muscles to add firmness. Push-ups are a great exercise to try because they shape up the breast and reduce the excess fat deposits around the chest. Lifting weights can also be beneficial, with arm curls, chest presses and dumbbell flies acting as excellent pectoral exercises.
2. Posture
Poor posture is a commonly overlooked cause of sagging breasts, but it’s an easy method to stop sagging. When you lower your shoulder and hunch forward, you don’t give your breasts proper support, which leaves them at the mercy of gravity. Keeping your shoulders back is a quick fix for instantly perkier breasts.
3. Cut out Bad Habits
As mentioned earlier, smoking and being overweight are both factors that increase the likelihood of noticeable breast sagging. Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking or addressing your diet and fitness habits to help reduce that risk.
4. Yoga
Yoga is well known for its ability to tone the entire body, and some poses can have particular uplifting effects on the breasts. The Triangle Pose, Cobra Pose, and the Standing Forward Bend are the best positions for strengthening the chest muscles, which has already been noted to help the breasts. Additionally, headstands back stands, and the Inverted Leg Stretch are poses that help to battle the effects of gravity on breasts.
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