As you age, you’ve likely noticed that your breasts have begun to succumb to the downward pull of gravity, and it now takes a bra with increasing amounts of lifting ability to keep them elevated to where they once were. While it can be a frustrating part of aging, breast sagging is natural and unavoidable. The most effective way to address excess skin and a drooping decolletage is with a surgical breast lift; however, many women often wonder if they can achieve the same results without surgery. In this blog, we’ll explore solutions to sagging breasts and answer the question of how to lift breasts naturally.
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What Is Breast Ptosis?
Most people call it “breast sagging,” but ptosis is the medical term for drooping breasts. Ptosis occurs when the skin and supporting ligaments of your breasts stretch due to aging, gravity, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or genetics. As a result, your breasts sit lower on your chest, and your nipples may point downward or hang below the inframammary fold (the crease under your breast).
Even though breast ptosis is a natural part of life, it can impact your confidence. While there may be some non-surgical methods that can improve mild sagging, moderate to severe ptosis is best addressed with a breast lift. When determining what type of surgical breast lift you may need, your surgeon must first assess the degree of ptosis.
Can You Lift Breasts Naturally?
The short answer is no; once breasts have reached a certain level of ptosis, the only way to give you back the shape and lift you’re looking for is with breast lift surgery. However, there are things you can do to help improve the appearance of your breasts.
Strength Training
Because breasts primarily consist of fat and glandular tissue, exercise can’t change their shape or positioning. However, strengthening your pectoral muscles (the muscles found under the breasts) can improve support and overall appearance. Some of the best exercises for building your pectoral muscles include chest presses and push-ups.
Good Posture
Your mother always told you to stand up straight, and as it happens, that’s good advice for several reasons. If you slouch, it can cause your breasts to appear saggier than they actually are. Standing tall with your shoulders back while engaging your core muscles can create a more lifted look.
Skin Care
You may not realize it, but the skin on your body can age just like the skin on your face, becoming stretched and saggy. Regularly applying moisturizers and collagen-boosting serums to your breasts can keep the skin hydrated and improve elasticity and firmness, helping your breasts sit higher, longer.
Wearing Supportive Bras
No matter the size of your breasts, you should never underestimate the value of a well-fitting bra. A good bra provides essential support and can help prevent sagging at any stage. It is especially important to wear a supportive sports bra during physical activity to minimize strain on breast tissue and the surrounding skin.
Maintaining a Stable Weight
Frequent or significant weight fluctuations can stretch out the skin on your breasts and lead to sagging. Maintaining a consistent, healthy weight through balanced nutrition and exercise can help prevent sagging over time.
How to Know If You Need a Breast Lift
Besides feeling like your breasts aren’t as elevated as they used to be, there are other indicators that you may need a breast lift, including:
Nipple Position
If your nipples sit below the inframammary fold (the crease under your breasts) or point downward, you may benefit from a lift.
Loss of Volume
If your breasts have lost some of their fullness, especially in the upper portion, or pole, a lift can help restore a more youthful shape.
Skin Laxity
Aging, significant weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can all contribute to loose or excess skin on your breasts, worsening sagging.
Breast Asymmetry
If one of your breasts naturally sits lower or is larger or smaller than the other, a lift can improve or restore symmetry.
Types of Breast Lift Procedures
Once you’ve determined that you’re a good candidate for a breast lift, the next step is finding out what type of breast lift will offer the best results. There are several types of breast lift procedures, each designed to correct different degrees of sagging.
- Circumareolar Lift: Used to address mild sagging, this method uses a circular incision around the areola.
- Vertical (Lollipop) Lift: For moderate sagging, a lollipop lift uses a donut lift incision and adds a vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease.
- Anchor (Inverted-T) Lift: If you have significant sagging, an anchor lift is recommended, which includes the incisions used in a lollipop lift and adds a horizontal incision along the breast crease.
No matter which breast lift incision is used, Dr. Paydar will trim away excess skin, reshaping and sculpting your breast tissue to give you a more elevated, youthful breast contour. You may also choose to add implants to your lift to further enhance the appearance of your breasts.
Learn More About Breast Lift Surgery in Newport Beach
Determining if you need a breast lift depends on several factors, including breast position, volume, and overall appearance. If you want to improve the shape of your breasts and lift them back up to where they belong, a breast lift with Dr. Keyian Paydar in Newport Beach is the answer. Dr. Paydar is an expert in breast lift and breast lift with implant procedures, restoring your body contour and your confidence. To schedule a breast lift consultation with Dr. Paydar, call our office today at (949) 755-0575 or complete the online contact form.
