7 Ways to Keep Your Breasts Perky (And When to Get Plastic Surgery)

Factors That Affect Sagging

To give your breasts the best chance of withstanding the effects of time, it is worth understanding how your lifestyle affects them.

The breasts are comprised of mammary glands and fat, with ligaments and connective tissue that connect the central parts of the breasts to the skin. They droop over time because the support structure, which consists of the skin, ligaments, and connective tissue within the breasts, loses integrity.

Multiple factors determine the severity and pace at which sagging of the breasts, also known as ptosis, develops. These factors include:

● Genetic traits, such as breast size and density, skin elasticity, and the composition of glandular and fatty tissue
● Loss of skin elasticity (a result of the normal aging process)
● Tobacco use or cigarette smoking
● Total number of pregnancies
● Breast cup size before pregnancy
● Weight gain or loss
● Body Mass Index (BMI)

In addition, yes, size matters. If your natural breasts are large and heavy, there will be more pull on the skin and supporting ligaments within, which tend to stretch and expand permanently under constant strain.

How to Keep Your Breasts Perky

Some factors may push the breasts to go further south before their time. There are, however, a number of ways that can help preserve the breasts' lifted appearance.

If you are still young, it is worth giving these natural breast improvement options a try. Here are the do's and don'ts of breast maintenance.

1. Do not use tobacco products.

Smoking cigarettes is a significant contributor to the reduction of blood flow and oxygen to the skin. Tobacco also impairs the skin's production of collagen and elastin, which causes premature wrinkling and sagging. Smoking can add years to your overall appearance, affecting your entire body and face.

2. Invest in quality moisturizers and sunscreens.

While moisturizing your breasts cannot reverse the sagging process, it can help the surrounding skin remain stronger and firmer for longer. Additionally, ultraviolet rays can accelerate the rate at which tissues break down, so always protect your breasts from the sun by applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

As an added word of advice, do not buy cream products that promise to enhance your breast shape. As mentioned previously, sagging breasts occur due to the Cooper's ligaments — connective tissues in the breast — and other surrounding tissues naturally losing their integrity over time. No product can reverse this process.

3. Avoid wearing bras that push your breasts up too much.

Studies show that wearing brassieres that prevent the breasts' from relaxing can weaken the muscles supporting them. As a result, the sagging process may manifest sooner rather than later. Only wear push-up and sports bras when necessary.

4. Wear a sports bra when exercising.

Calorie-burning workouts require a lot of movement that makes the breasts bounce up and down. Exercising without supporting the breast ligaments stretches them and cause sagging. It also causes discomfort and breast pain. Wearing a sports bra is particularly important for high-energy, high-impact physical activities.

5. Avoid yoyo-dieting and maintain a consistent weight through regular exercise and healthy eating.

Extreme weight gains and losses can stretch the skin of your breasts and result in reduced elasticity of the breast tissue. As a result, the breasts slack and become droopy. Try to maintain a healthy weight that works for you instead of enduring constant fluctuations.

6. Improve your posture.

Sometimes, the breasts themselves are not at fault for their less-than-perky appearance. Your posture could be the culprit instead. The better your posture, the more your breasts will stand at attention. If your shoulders look rounded (because your office job requires you to hunch over your computer all day), then your breast will appear heavier and lower. Always sit and stand straight to improve your posture, or do some core exercises to help support your back.

7. Don't expect breast implants to be the solution to your problems.

Deciding to have a breast augmentation is, understandably, a personal one. If you wish to invest in breast implants, just know that although these medical devices increase breast fullness, they do not address sagging and can aggravate the problem.

When to Consider a Breast Lift

If you already have noticeable sagging, consider a breast lift or mastopexy. Plastic surgeons designed this cosmetic procedure to reverse the impact of gravity on the breasts, helping to restore their beautiful, youthful shape.

The benefits of a breast lift include:

● Raising and reshaping sagging breasts
● Reshaping and moving the areola (nipple complex) to a more natural position
● Improving the size and shape of breasts in conjunction with breast implants
● Giving a more youthful appearance

To further improve the appearance of your breasts, combining a mastopexy with implants is an excellent way to get the most from your plastic surgery. You will not need to add too much volume to the implant when you have a breast lift, which will position and shape the breasts beautifully. When your plastic surgeon performs these two procedures together, your breasts will appear more lifted, increase in size, and look better than with one procedure.

Conclusion

Gossip among women, popular magazines, beauty blogs, and old wives’ tales may include tips, tricks, and solutions for stopping or even reversing breast sagging. But the truth is, even though there are preventive measures, breast drooping is an inevitable part of your breasts' lifespan. However, just because sagging is unavoidable does not mean you have to let drooping breasts affect your confidence.

Breast enhancement procedures in Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ can help contour and restore the youthful firmness of your breasts. Contact Guerra Plastic Surgery if you would like to talk about options in a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Aldo Guerra, our board-certified and award-winning plastic surgeon.

Call 480-970-2580 now or complete our form.