Can Not Wearing a Bra Cause Sagging Breasts?

I know the importance of wearing a bra and the joys of taking it off after a long day. I have also heard about how going braless can cause your breasts to sag. So, can not wearing a bra cause sagging? How true is this statement? Let’s find out!

Can Not Wearing a Bra Cause Sagging?

Breast sagging does not occur from going braless; it happens due to a number of other factors, including aging, genetics, and weight fluctuation. However, wearing a bra is crucial for women with larger cup sizes to avoid back and neck pain caused by the weight of the boobs.

Moreover, women with heavier breasts are also more likely to experience sagging due to the high fat-to-fibrous tissue ratio. On the other hand, women with small busts can often get away with not wearing a bra since they do not require the support offered by the undergarment unless they are working out.

What Are the Causes of Breast Sagging?

Multiple factors play a role in breast sagging, which is also known as breast ptosis. It happens when Cooper’s ligaments, which are connective tissues responsible for maintaining and supporting the breast shape, lengthen and weaken over time. The reasons for the ligaments to stretch out and lose their elasticity can include:

Aging

As I grow older, I lose collagen, which is the protein responsible for making up the connective tissues in my body. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your skin will lose approximately 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause.

Consequently, the natural depletion of collagen levels will also affect your boobs, causing them to drop. Moreover, the older you get, the longer you are exposed to gravity and UV rays. The former pulls your bust down, while the latter causes your skin’s elasticity to diminish, leading to wrinkly, saggy boobs.

Genetics

Genetics affect almost every aspect of your anatomy. If your skin is genetically thinner and less supportive, it will not be able to support your breast tissues and keep them perky. Contrarily, stronger skin holds your boobs in place, high on your chest.

Moreover, if you are genetically well-endowed with fatty, pillowy breasts, you are more prone to experience sagging. In comparison, small, firm, and fibrous boobs will hold their shape for longer.

Weight Fluctuation

When you lose weight, you also lose the fats that provide your breasts with volume. When you lose weight gradually, the skin has time to adjust to the decreasing bust volume. However, rapid fluctuation in weight can cause your skin to become looser and your boobs to drop.

Pregnancy

According to a study researching the common causes of breast ptosis, pregnancy is one of the three major reasons for saggy boobs. It occurs due to the stretching of ligaments as your breasts get heavier and fuller.

Here is what you can do to prevent postpartum breast sagging:

• Breastfeed on demand (if you are breastfeeding) to prevent breast engorgement
• Stay hydrated to maintain the skin’s elasticity
• Avoid trying to lose weight too quickly after delivery.

In addition, optimal exercise and eating nutritious food can help your skin retain its elasticity, thereby preventing sagging.

Wrong Bra

While you can wear any bra during your everyday life, it is imperative to put on a supportive bra when working out. Exercises that include a lot of movement subject your breasts to a lot of motion. This can cause the connective tissues in your breast to loosen over time.

A specifically designed sports bra works to minimize this motion and prevents the ligaments from stretching. Moreover, it is of utmost importance that your bra is of the correct size to ensure optimal support. If the bra is bigger in size, it loses its core purpose of decreasing movement. Excessive movement of your breasts can also cause breast and back pain. 

Related Questions

Can You Reverse Breast Sagging?

Unfortunately no, you cannot reverse breast sagging unless you opt for a cosmetic procedure. What you can do is make sure to wear the right bra to create an illusion of perky breasts and keep your posture upright to prevent emphasizing the sag.

What Are the Disadvantages of Not Wearing a Bra?

If you do not wear a bra for long periods of time, it can lead to muscular discomfort and pain in your shoulders, neck, and back. It can also affect your posture, causing you to hunch forward. Exercising without a proper bra can also put a strain on the connective tissues that support the bust.

Conclusion

Contrary to popular belief, going braless does not cause breast sagging. However, it can cause back, neck, and shoulder pains, as well as breast tenderness. The most common causes of a drooping bust are pregnancy, genetics, rapid fluctuation in weight, and old age.