Just like with other areas of a woman’s body, there can be substantial changes to a woman’s breasts that occur as the years go by. As you age, the position and structure of your breasts may begin to change due to fluctuating hormone levels, pregnancy, weight gain, or simply gravity. As a result of these changes, your breasts can lose their firmness and fullness, while also starting to sag. These changes can affect all women, so it’s helpful to know what you can expect and what you can do to help restore a more youthful breast contour with cosmetic breast surgery. Read on for more information on what you can expect from your breasts over time.
Your Breasts in Your 20’s
For women in their 20’s, this decade is referred to by some as the “best breast years” since by now the breasts have commonly reached their peak size and firmness. However, there can still be some fluctuation in breast size over this decade. Weight changes that occur as your metabolism slows or you settle into your adult weight can increase or decrease your breast size. Additionally, this is the decade when many women become pregnant for the first time, which can lead to more potential breast enlargement and size fluctuation tied to breastfeeding.
Your Breasts in Your 30’s
Once you enter your 30s, this begins a new period for your breasts. You may begin to notice some stretching of the breast skin, especially after pregnancy. Along with this stretching, you may begin to notice the appearance of stretch marks on the breasts. While it’s true that stretch marks more commonly develop around the torso, breast growth during pregnancy or weight gain can contribute to stretch marks extending up towards the breast area. These changes are normal and nothing to be concerned about from a medical perspective, but they can still affect the look and feel of your breasts.
Your Breasts in Your 40’s & Beyond
As you reach your 40s, you may begin to notice the early signs of menopause. Your breasts may become a bit more soft and fatty, losing firmness along the way. As collagen production in the body starts to slow down, the breast skin will lose some of the elasticity that it used to have. Hanging or sagging breasts become far more common. Thankfully, breast lift surgery allows women to return their breasts to a more youthful, firmer state.
Everyone’s body ages differently. There is no guarantee that your breasts will experience some of the more dramatic effects of aging. But for women who notice differences in how their breasts look and feel, it’s important to remember that these changes are normal and that they can be corrected with the help of a board-certified plastic surgeon if you wish. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact me, Dr. David Whiteman, at Southern Plastic Surgery or follow me on social media for more helpful tips, news, and updates from the world of cosmetic surgery.