Talk about bringing the girls down.
Although breast sagging is a natural part of aging, many women turn to old-fashioned push-up bras or more surgical techniques like a breast lift.
And while you can’t beat Father Time or gravity, there are some unhealthy habits that can speed up the process.
Breast lifts are the fourth most common surgical procedure, with more than 153,000 procedures in 2024, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ annual report.
And while going under the knife does give a boost, it can’t undo the natural process of losing collagen and elasticity as we age, according to one expert.
“Breast sagging, or ptosis, occurs as we age primarily because our connective tissue is no longer as strong as it was when we were younger,” Dr. Rachel Ford, a board-certified plastic surgeon at Renuance Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa, told The Post.
Ford explained the ligaments within the breasts — called Cooper’s ligaments — also weaken and lengthen with age.
While we see changes throughout the entire body as we age, our breasts are especially prone to sagging because of their position, pointing outward from the body.
But there are myths around what makes breasts head towards a downward trajectory, including breastfeeding.
“In reality, it is usually pregnancy itself that contributes to these changes,” Ford explained.
She added that hormonal changes, fluctuations in breast size and postpartum involution can all lead to sagging, regardless of whether or not a woman breastfeeds.
“Some of the changes that happen to our breasts over time are inevitable and will occur no matter what we do,” Ford said.
However, she also added that there are some modifiable factors that are easy to avoid.
Habit #1: Significant weight fluctuation
Gaining or losing large amounts of weight can also play a role in the appearance of your breasts, though.
“Larger breasts are heavier and naturally sit lower on the chest wall,” Ford said. “However, even after weight loss, excess skin can remain from the prior increase in volume.”
Despite losing weight, the same amount of breast tissue within more skin will hang lower over time.
Ford also debunked the myth that small breasts don’t sag.
“Significant ptosis is definitely less common in smaller breasts because they are lighter, but it absolutely still happens,” she said. “If there is excess skin, gravity will eventually win.”
Habit #2: Regular nicotine use
The downsides of smoking are numerous, from increasing the chances of cancer or heart disease to being the leading cause of preventable death in the US.
Now, you can add a droopy bosom to the list, as Ford suggests avoiding all forms of nicotine.
“Nicotine significantly accelerates tissue aging, not to mention the many other harmful effects it has on overall health,” she said. “All of the tissue changes… are essentially put on the fast track when nicotine is involved.”
Habit #3: Not wearing enough support
Many of us may want to take off our over-the-shoulder boulder holders the minute we get home.
But their support is superior, especially for “women with larger breasts and for exercise or high-impact activities,” according to Ford.
“You should look for a sports bra that deserves an honorary engineering degree,” she added.
And all the weight lifting in the world won’t cause sagging to stop, as breasts themselves don’t contain muscles and the main chest muscle sits behind them.
“Increasing muscle mass may slightly improve overall chest contour or breast shape,” Ford said. “But no amount of bench-pressing will significantly improve breast ptosis.”
