Ever felt like you took breast perkiness for granted in your 20s and 30s? Throughout the years, they’ve slowly begun to soften and sag. The descent might feel gradual, or more abrupt after childbirth and breastfeeding.
Either way, you miss the perky, upright shape of your former breasts, and the unapologetic self-confidence that came along with them.
Your self-love doesn’t have to take a downward trajectory, too. A skilled plastic surgeon with specialized experience in female anatomy, like Dr. Cat Huang-Begovic, brings decades of surgical excellence and minimally invasive treatments to revive your breasts to their former glory.
So, how do you go about preventing breast sagging and addressing it once it happens? Turns out, breast health maintenance is more complex than finding the right bra (though that’s an important factor).
In this article, Dr. Cat shares natural breast-firming techniques, nutritional advice, and treatment options for a little more oomph in your décolletage without uncomfortable push-up bras.
Breast Anatomy & Perkiness Factors
So, what makes some breasts perky and others not? Here’s a hint: it’s not just about your age.
Your breasts are made up of fat known as adipose tissue on its outer edges. But inside? It’s a flower, mandala-like combination of lobes, lobules, and bulbs, the latter of which direct to the nipple and areola. But the fat around those lobes stretches with weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and post-partum—all of which contribute to saggier breasts.
Of course, the elasticity of your breast skin gets weaker with age. But underneath your breast’s anatomy is a wall of muscle that extends down to protect your ribs. When this muscle is toned and sculpted, it gives the illusion of a lifted, more perky breast—think of it as a built-in pushup bra.
Choosing the Right Breast Support Bras
You might have your everyday dainty bralette and luscious pump-up Victoria’s Secret for nights out. Or maybe most days opt to go bra-free. The secret? A mix of space and support in your bras is vital for breast health and natural perkiness.
Over time, bras start to weaken in the straps, reducing the support they once offered. This is a cue to refresh your lingerie wardrobe and invest in a new bra with optimal support. On the other end of the spectrum, too-tight bras can cut your circulation, potentially deforming your breast’s natural, perky shape with frequent wear.
Our advice? Limit your use of constricting push-up bras to special occasions. You’ll also want to make sure your bras and bralettes have a small pad for support and firm straps to keep you lifted.
Your next priority for perkiness? Let’s take things to the gym!
Exercises and Massages to Strengthen Chest Muscles
Earlier we mentioned the lobes and fatty tissue of your breast are backed by a thick wall of muscle. With the right toning exercises, you can stimulate that muscle to grow and lift your breasts naturally. A common misconception? Chest muscles will make you look manly–but that’s simply not the case. A little toning will go a long way toward lasting breast perkiness and enhanced femininity.
Here are a few gravity-boosting chest exercises you could integrate into your workout routine:
- Chest Press: This involves lying on a bench and pressing a weight upwards. Start low and go slow with 5-pound weights, working your way up as you go.
- Pushups: Lie on your face with your body parallel to the ground. Then use your arms to lift and lower yourself off the ground. Don’t have the strength for a traditional pushup? Try doing them on your knees.
- Yoga: Breathe deep into your downward dog and chaturangas (yogi push-ups) for a more balanced, meditative routine to strengthen the chest muscles.
Feeling the burn? Wrap up each sweat sesh with a massage, remembering to pay extra attention to your chest muscles. This helps improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, which evens out tightness and promotes a perkier look.
And the next time you go shopping for your pre-workout blend? Add a few extra items to your list for natural, nutritional support for breast perkiness.
Nutritional Tips for Skin Elasticity and Breast Health
Skin elasticity works similarly across the entire body. It generally becomes stretched out as we age; however, certain foods and nutrients boost collagen production (a skin-structure protein that promotes elasticity) to maintain bounce and plushness.
Whether you want to boost skin elasticity in the face, body, or breasts, consider these stand-out nutrients for natural breast perkiness over time:
- Silica: Celery and cucumbers contain silica, a mineral known to boost elasticity in the skin.
- Antioxidants: Get your veggie fix with broccoli, leafy greens, cabbage, artichokes, and carrots for collagen-enhancing antioxidants.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: A diet rich in fish (especially salmon) and eggs naturally promotes moisture and skin elasticity.
Will you see results overnight after a few collagen supplements and green salads? Probably not, but nutritional strategies are a helpful, longer-term supplement for overall breast health maintenance and perkiness.
Professional Treatments and Surgeries to Enhance Breast Shape
Dr. Cat offers two surgical procedures to enhance breast shape: breast augmentation and breast lifts.
Breast augmentation
Colloquially known as a “boob job,” breast augmentation involves implanting the breasts with either saline or silicone implants. And if you prefer a more natural look? Breast augmentation from fat transfer harnesses liposuction from another part of your body to implant your own fat into the breasts instead.
While augmentation certainly delivers transformative results and profound confidence, this procedure is more focused on volume and size.
Recovery can take up to six months, potentially demanding replacements down the line. According to Dr. Cat, the most aligned procedure for lifting is a breast lift.
Breast lift
Cup size not a dealbreaker for you? Sure, you might be a solid C cup, yet your breast sagging almost diminishes your size. A breast lift is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the profile and perkiness of your breasts, providing a more elevated (lifted) look.
With a lift, wardrobe choices become more abundant and even exercise feels more comfortable. The best part? Breast lifts have relatively quicker recovery times compared to augmentation. Your lift will only take a few weeks to manifest into your perkier, dream look.
And if you don’t want to sacrifice size for more lift, you don’t have to. Dr. Cat often pairs breast augmentation with a lift for a more comprehensive breast rejuvenation.
Perk Up Your Breasts (and Confidence) with Dr. Cat
Breast sagging is a common insecurity for women, especially after childbirth, breastfeeding, or hitting those premenopausal years.
But you don’t have to say goodbye to your breast perkiness forever.
Breast firming techniques like lymphatic massage and nutritional choices can offer subtle, natural lift over time. If you want a tailored, contoured look that truly makes you feel your best self again?
A breast lift is the bespoke solution you need, and Dr. Cat is committed to aligning your vision with reality. As a breast surgery patient herself, she has an intimate understanding of the female anatomy, and as a breast revision specialist, you can trust that you’re in the best hands possible.
Breast perkiness can be subtle, feminine, and contoured to meet your vision of beauty.
