Gravity can be a wonderful thing. Without gravity, the earth would cease to revolve around the sun. And we all know the consequences of that. However, if we’re looking at aging, gravity can be a real…downer. Yes, pun intended.
Most women will experience sagging or drooping breasts, as it’s a part of aging. However, it can be quite disheartening to see one of the most beautiful characteristics that distinguish us as women degrading over time.
What Causes Saggy Breasts
If you’ve ever wondered why saggy breasts happen, think about this: Breasts do NOT have muscles in them. They have ligaments and connective tissue. These ligaments and skin stretch as gravity pulls on the breast tissue, causing the breast to droop. The amount depends on the elasticity of your skin and of your ligaments, as determined by your genes and diet, as well as on normal aging processes. Large breasts are obviously most susceptible to sagging quickly, along with the breasts of women who engage in high-intensity sports but neglect to wear proper sports bras. They do make a difference, so invest in some good ones!
The most well-known cause of breast drooping is denoted as breast involution, which happens when the female body’s milk-producing part inside the breast reduces due to no longer being necessary. This can occur post-weaning, or directly after pregnancy if the woman does not nurse, or during menopause. The tissue inside the breast reduces, but the encompassing skin remains unchanged, causing the bosom to look upturned. After weaning, a woman’s form generally deposits some fat cells back into the breast tissue; however, the mammary gland still appears pendant due to excessive skin.
Another culprit for breast ptosis is weight loss. While it may be great for the hips, it can be bad for the breasts. When you lose weight, some of that fat disappears from your breasts. Typically, the skin and the ligaments inside the breasts do not retract accordingly, turning formerly perky breasts into “empty” looking breasts that then sag.
Is it Normal to Have Saggy breasts Even if You Haven’t Been Pregnant?
So, we’ve talked about what happens to your breasts after you have a baby, but what if you haven’t had a baby and your breasts sag? Is this normal, or are your breasts sagging more than normal for most women your age?
Here are a few things to consider.
It is important to remember that, while some lucky women may experience a delay in sagging due to their breast size, gravity tends to make its presence known sooner or later. Even young teenagers have breasts that can start to succumb to this natural law of the universe.
In a society that prioritizes the perkiness of breasts, many women feel the pressure to have an “ideal” breast shape, which often involves having C- or D-cup-sized breasts that stay upright without the support of a bra. This can lead to feelings of insecurity when it comes to having sagging breasts. However, all breast shapes are unique and beautiful in their own way and what really matters is that your breasts make you feel confident and comfortable with your body.
Use it, or lose it
Sagging is an inevitable process because of its gravity at work. If you perform upper body exercises, make sure you wear a proper sports bra with plenty of coverage. However, the idea that bras would prevent sagging, in general, may not be true. Studies have shown that bra-wearing may actually result in excessive sagging. The theory behind this is that, when you wear bras, the ligaments inside the breasts can atrophy and shrivel away from non-usage. Not that we endorse going sans bra in public all the time, but know that the gentle bouncing of breasts when you walk and move can help those ligaments stay in top shape. Perhaps breasts weren’t meant to be kept totally motionless! If you have larger breasts, a bra may actually be better, though, due to the support they give to the heavyweight.
Breast sagging has such a negative connotation. We see it as breast droop or as a sinking from weight and being tired. Therefore, to determine if your breasts sag more or less than normal, it depends on what “normal” really means.
Preventing Sagging Breasts
Taking care of yourself and making healthy lifestyle choices can slow some of the signs of aging in your breasts, as these choices affect your entire body. Additionally, keeping up a youthful appearance in other areas will help with preserving a youthful look in the breasts.
A diet full of antioxidants is good for all your skin, not just your breasts. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of these powerful nutrients, and staying hydrated with plenty of fluids can help keep your skin looking healthy. However, there isn’t an ideal diet that will make the skin look younger or counteract the effects of gravity.
Say no to smoking. Tobacco consumption encourages the loss of skin elasticity. It leads to a breakdown of breast collagen and causes your skin to become less full-bodied. It also makes your body age faster. Giving up tobacco will better your health, reduce your peril for particular cancers, and potentially forestall the deterioration of the outer layer of skin surrounding your breasts.
Wear sunscreen. Being in the sun is a catalyst for skin problems. Even if your chest is not usually exposed to the sun, the skin around it can still receive UV rays. The skin surrounding your breasts sustains their weight, so using protection like sunscreen will support the overall region.
Maintain a steady healthy weight. When you experience drastic weight gain or loss, the elasticity of your breast skin might become reduced and unable to retract. Keeping your weight fluctuations to a minimum may help you with issues related to excess skin stretching around the breasts and other parts of your body.
As you age, your body will change and this, of course, includes your breasts. Eating healthy may help to delay some of these effects, but it may not completely stop sagging. If you want more permanent changes to your breasts, discuss surgical options for lifting sagging breasts with your doctor.
Cosmetic Surgery for Sagging Breasts
Women suffering from sagging breasts who yearn to regain their confidence and appearance have access to breast reduction surgery, which can provide excellent results. Plus, this procedure can also bring many health benefits such as improved back health or reduced skin rashes caused by loss of elasticity and skin friction.
A breast lift surgery can be done to move the breasts and nipples in a more aesthetically pleasing way, as well as to firm up loose muscles and breast ligaments.
When it comes to achieving the best possible results, your cosmetic surgeon may suggest a combination of breast lift with breast augmentation surgery; however, this is something that must be discussed in detail with your doctor, as every woman’s individual case will be unique.
Breast Looks Can be Deceiving
Women in the United States typically only see their own breasts and those of the models. Most models have been altered and airbrushed to look perfect, not human. That, along with most saggy breasts being pushed up and concealed in normal everyday circumstances, leads us to assume that normal or typical breast volume is what we see on TV.
Only you and your breast surgeon can determine what degree of breast ptosis is too much for your body.
Need a little “pick me up?”
Remember all women’s breasts sag to some degree. Short of breast augmentation or lift surgery, there is not much you can do about it. In the meantime, one other thing you can try is to help the elasticity of your skin by taking supplements like vitamin C, which is very important for collagen synthesis within the skin. There are also other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that can help the skin and breast ligaments to be in top health. Keep in mind that there are no guarantees by taking the nutritional route, and results may be barely noticeable. Another option is that you could just lie on your back all day and not move.
Trust your breasts to a Premier Image expert plastic surgeon
So, for those of you with real lives and real bodies that give in to gravity, appreciate your unique form. Your breasts and how you feel about them are very personal and differ from person to person. If the appearance of your saggy breasts bothers you that much, consider coming in for a complimentary consultation. Also, know that having a breast lift or breast augmentation does not mean you’ll walk away with super-sized fake breasts! The key is looking natural and proportional for your body type, and the surgeons at Premier Image are experts at doing just this.
