Sagging Breasts

Causes of Breast Sagging (Ptosis):

• Multiple pregnancies
• Breastfeeding
• Considerable weight loss
• Large, heavy breasts
• Decreased estrogen post-menopause

The above are common causes that stretch and weaken the breast ligaments that support breast tissue, thus resulting in sagging breasts.

A “pencil test” can be used for determining whether you have breast sagging. A pencil is placed under the fold of your breasts (also known as the inframammary fold). If the pencil stays in place instead of falling when you release the breast, it is an indication that there is a degree of breast sagging, and a breast lift procedure can be considered. Note that while the pencil test is not a medically prescribed diagnostic tool, this would provide some insight into the possible need of a breast lift.

During your consultation at Veritas, our doctor determines your degree of ptosis by taking measurements such as the distance your nipple falls below the line of your inframammary crease. These measurements will determine if a non-surgical breast lift or mastopexy procedure would better suit your needs.

Can Exercises Help With Lifting Sagging Breasts?

There is an abundance of information online suggesting that exercises can help with lifting sagging breasts. These claims, however, are mostly unfounded. 

The breast is composed of fatty tissues instead of muscles. When you do exercises such as push ups, bench presses, chest flies, or other techniques that target the chest, what you are strengthening is the muscles beneath the breasts, which does not help to lift the breasts. Breast tissues cannot be firmed up with exercise since there are no muscles in the breast. If you have severe breast sagging, breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, can help to lift your breasts through removing excess skin, placing the areola in a higher position, and reshaping the breast tissue to support it.

For women with mild symptoms of breast sagging, laser bust lift can be a good alternative to lift your breasts without the need for surgery.

Fotona Intima Breast Lift is a non-invasive treatment that uses a combination of lasers that not only tightens skin around the breast, but also strengthens the deeper ligaments that could be overstretched post-breast feeding, or after large fluctuations in weight.

Compared to other methods of breast lifting such as surgical mastopexy, an operation where excess breast skin is removed and the nipple and areola are repositioned to give tighter and fuller breasts, the results of laser breast lifting are less dramatic, but recovery time and a risks of incision scarring are not required.