everyday living Ways To Reduce Sag Naturally July 10, 2012 Written By: Lauren Orso Published On July 10, 2012 What Causes Breasts To Sag? Gaining weight, losing weight, breastfeeding, aging, heredity, exercising, not exercising, not wearing a bra, wearing a bra too much, having a curse placed on you by voodoo high priestesses (or just a jealous ex)—all of these have been cited as possible causes of ptosis, aka sagging breasts. Please Read This: Curcumin Injections Shrink Tumors Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is the seventh most popular elective surgery in the United States, suggesting that many women have issues with breast sag. While surgery remains an option, it is expensive (averaging around $3,600) and requires recovery time. Additionally, as the woman continues to age, the breasts will very likely sag again. That said, there are home remedies and exercises that can make a big difference in the appearance and perkiness of breasts. Hitting The Gym: Exercise can help. The idea is to build and tone the muscles behind the breast tissues, supporting the breasts and making them appear less droopy. Push-ups and chest presses work to strengthen the "free weight winging,” where you lift your arms with small weights like a bird would flap its wings; building a smaller chest muscle that when toned, can help support the breast. Arm resistance exercises also aid the effort to stop sag. While these exercises can’t change or lift the breast tissue itself, the added muscle will help create the appearance of a more taut and toned bust. Lotions And Potions: Unfortunately, there are no studies which prove breast firming or lifting creams are effective, despite how magical they seem. Most lotions contain moisturizing products that soothe and elasticize skin, so using a moisturizer (and sunscreen!) helps improve outward appearance. You Might Like This: Cereform Implant Recall The creams tighten and contract the skin, creating a temporary illusion of firmness, like how your skin feels after a quick, cold shower. According to Dr. Leslie Baumann, a dermatologist, lotions with retinoids may help stimulate collagen in the breast tissue to increase firmness and slow age loss, though they should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding. Just For Fun: While it hasn’t been proven to work, next time you have an at-home spa day, try this quick breast-firming rejuvenation treatment just for fun: After a bath or shower, massage the breast with the mixture listed below, and put on an old bra and let it set for 20 minutes. One teaspoon of vitamin E oil One teaspoon of virgin coconut oil One tablespoon of organic plain yogurt One organic egg You can also try this homemade breast massage oil: One fl oz (30 ml) grapeseed or coconut oil, Six drops carrot oil 12 drops lemongrass essential oil Five drops geranium essential oil Four drops fennel essential oil Three drops sage essential oil Hey, even if it doesn't help, anything that smells this good can't hurt! Lifestyle Choices Lifestyle choices can significantly impact the quality and character of your breasts. For instance, intentional healthy choices such as: not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular physical activity can all help keep breasts perky. Not smoking will preserve skin elasticity, while having a healthy body weight that doesn't fluctuate constantly from one extreme to another will help guard against skin stetching. Additionally, wearing a well-fitting supportive bra during exercise will prevent tissue from stretching due to bounce with movement, as well as create the appearance of a fuller or perkier breast. Popularly rumored to affect sag, bra usage has never been proven to directly influence firmness or lift. Similarly, though pregnancy can affect breast shape and volume, breastfeeding has not been proven to do the same. If all else fails, try this simple trick: stand up straight. Proper posture, with the belly in and shoulders back, can make breasts appear perkier with next to no effort. It may be short term, but who doesn't love a quick fix every now and then? Recommended Articles everyday living App It Up: Apps For Breast Augmentation And Reconstruction everyday living Risk Factors For Breast Cancer: Who, What, And When everyday living Prosthetics After Reconstruction everyday living On Oncologists: Why They Should Be Part Of Your Treatment Team everyday living What Breast Cancer Patients Should Know About Yoga Most Searched Questions What size is right for me? How much does breast augmentation cost? What should I ask my plastic surgeon? How do I find a plastic surgeon? Tags: everyday living sag home treatments preventative care pre-surgery Comments Learn More: Nipple Piercings Before And After Breast Augmentation Surgery Tattoos Do's And Don'ts Exercises And Massage After Breast Augmentation Post Surgery: Pros And Cons Of Taking Antibiotics For Dental Work The Sounds Your Implants Will Make Anesthesia Explained