Sadly, there’s no real way to significantly reverse breast sagging, also known as breast ptosis, on your own. Breast lift surgery from our Philadelphia area-practice can help to create a more youthful silhouette by raising the breasts higher on the chest, which is an ideal option for anyone who wants to regain a perkier profile.
There are, however, some things you can do to delay or prevent sagging in the first place. As you get older, it’s normal for your skin to lose some of its elasticity and become thinner. Your breasts don’t contain muscle tissue for support, so their skin may no longer be able to hold up the ligaments and the weight of the fatty tissue underneath, causing them to sag and lose their shape. Topical products can improve the appearance of the skin, and toning up the surrounding muscles with chest exercises may also improve the breasts’ appearance, but aging is an inevitable part of life.
There are three other factors that commonly contribute to sagging, each of which can be addressed with healthy living and lifestyle choices:
WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS
Since your breasts are mainly made up of fatty tissue, your overall body weight will affect their size. Structural changes may also occur in your breasts as your weight goes up and down over time. If you were to gain weight, the breast size would increase, and it would be difficult for the breast ligaments and skin to support them. Even if you lose weight after this, the breasts may look deflated or droopy because the skin has been stretched out beyond repair. Try to maintain a steady, healthy weight. If you’re losing weight, try to do so gradually to avoid skin damage.
SUN DAMAGE
Damage from UV rays due to sunburns or cumulative exposure to sunlight eventually causes skin all over the body—including the breasts—to lose elasticity. Slather on SPF 30, broad-spectrum sunscreen on the upper chest area or wear high-necked shirts to protect your skin whenever you go outside.
SMOKING
If you smoke, quit. Smoking does more than just cause wrinkles and other types of skin damage on the face. It can also cause the skin on the inner parts of the arms and the breasts to lose elasticity because it breaks down a beneficial protein called elastin.
If your skin has lost elasticity, plastic surgery can help you restore perkier, shapelier breasts. To find out whether you would be a good candidate for breast lift surgery, contact our team at Chapin Aesthetics. Call (267) 880-0810 or fill out a contact form to schedule a consultation and learn more.