A common question we receive here at our plastic surgeon Brisbane clinic is “are there creams that lift the breasts?” or “do exercises work to lift the breasts?” Here at Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery – home of plastic surgeon in Brisbane, Dr. Phil Richardson – we have seen women from all walks of life. Many of these women present with breast laxity (breast ptosis) and because of their concerns, have tried many different natural remedies. This blog post will divulge the truth about natural remedies and shed light on possible effective approaches for patients.
What causes breast ptosis?
There are many reasons your breasts may begin to lose elasticity. Firstly, the effects of pregnancy and breastfeeding have an undeniable impact on skin elasticity and breast size. As breasts lose their volume after being enlarged during the newborn and early infant phase, the skin may lead the breasts to appear lax or sit lower on the chest. This state is referred to as ptosis. In addition, significant weight loss can have the same impact, inducing a loss of volume and subsequent ptosis. Finally, general ageing will impact skin integrity. Depending on the patient, this can result in a low breast position or ptosis.
Will breast lift cream work for me?
Over the years, more natural solutions to breast ptosis have entered the market. “Breast lift cream” is one such product that has gained hype over the years. The premise of this cream is that it stimulates and tightens the breast skin and tissue. These creams fire off a list of active ingredients with buzzwords like “microsphere tightening” and “increased collagen production”. Do these products really work? The truth is, these creams are designed for patients with a very small degree of ptosis, and are largely preventative. They are often more suited to treating minor breast laxity caused by general ageing. That is, it’s very unlikely that one of these creams is going to prevent the effects of breastfeeding or significant weight-loss.
“Breast lifting” cream is also not going to lift the nipple, which is the main concern for most women experiencing ptosis. This is compared to a breast lift (mastopexy) surgery which physically repositions the nipple and removes excess skin to help lift the breast. The verdict? Creams for breast ptosis can help to increase breast firmness for patients with very mild ptosis and is mainly to prevent or reduce general ageing. This is much like the way skincare is not a replacement for a face lift surgery (rhytidectomy) but can be seen as a way to delay the need for such a surgery.
Will breast lifting exercises work for me?
Much like creams, exercises to treat breast ptosis have been touted as a fix-all solution. Fitness influencers and health blogs have put forward a range of yoga and weight training regimes to help lift the breasts. So, do these exercises work? The answer is similar to that for breast ptosis creams. If you have a very mild level of ptosis and a small amount of breast tissue, you might see a difference. Ultimately however, these exercises are training the pectoral muscle. If you have significant overlying breast tissue or breast skin, this isn’t going to magically reshape the breasts. A surgical intervention is the only way to reposition the nipple and lose excess skin – if that is your goal.
How does a surgical breast lift (mastopexy) work differently?
A breast lift, also called mastopexy surgery, is a surgical procedure which usually involves an incision around the nipple, down to the breast fold, and along the breast fold. You can find out more about the different type of mastopexy techniques on our main website. All mastopexy surgeries are performed in a fully-accredited hospital under general anaesthetic. During the procedure, the aim is to elevate the breasts by repositioning the nipple and removing the excess skin.
After your procedure, the surgeon will give specific breast lift (mastopexy) recovery instructions. It’s imperative that patients follow the post-op instructions because this will be key to preventing complications. Dr. Richardson recommends patients refrain from heavy lifting or exercise for 4-6 weeks after your procedure. Full recovery takes around six weeks. If you have any discomfort at any point, Dr. Richardson can provide you with pain relief options. He will also schedule periodic appointments with his nursing staff after your surgery to ensure that your breasts heal properly.
