Cosmetic breast surgery, specifically breast augmentation, is extremely popular in the United States. Many of the women interested in these procedures end up in my office, so I know firsthand how much women care about the health & appearance of their breasts. Plastic surgery can do a lot to revitalize the breasts, but there are also many everyday practices & habits you can develop to keep them looking—and being—healthy for longer:
Take care of your skin:
In general, the appearance of your breasts will tend to reflect the health of your skin. The number one rule for keeping your skin looking young & healthy is to protect it from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation alters the skin’s coloration and texture, and it also breaks down proteins in the skin that give it elasticity. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on every piece of sun-exposed skin, reapplying every two hours and/or each time your skin gets wet.
In addition to wearing plenty of sunscreen, you can keep your skin healthy by regularly getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, and keeping your skin moisturized. For a more detailed look at this subject, check out my previous Mind the Body blog on tips for younger-looking skin. There are treatments that can help make the skin look younger, such as skin rejuvenation, but the best way to prevent skin problems is through healthy, mindful living.
Maintain a stable, heathy weight:
Weight & size fluctuations can weaken the skin’s elasticity, causing the breasts to sag & droop. This effect only gets more severe with age, as the skin tends to naturally lose elasticity as we get older. Therefore, keeping your weight at a fit, consistent level is one of the best ways to naturally keep your breasts looking young and healthy. Some weight fluctuations, however, such as those accompanying pregnancy & hormonal changes, cannot be controlled. Fortunately, a breast lift (mastopexy) procedure can remedy sagging breasts.
Don’t use tobacco or excessively drink alcohol:
Both cigarettes & alcohol can be damaging to the skin. Alcohol & tobacco impede the body’s natural healing factors, exacerbating the deteriorating effects of aging. They can rob the skin of its vibrancy and make the signs of aging, such as wrinkles, lines, & creases, appear more pronounced. Furthermore, smoking is bad for circulation, so it negatively affects blood flow to the skin’s surface; too much alcohol can dry out the skin and make it prematurely lose its elasticity.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention breast cancer. I’ll publish a more in-depth breast-cancer prevention blog soon, but in general, it’s important to be vigilant about checking for signs of this all-too-common disease. This involves having medical breast exams with your doctor, including a mammogram, every one to three years starting at age 20 and at least yearly starting at age 40. Moreover, as early detection is a key part of beating breast cancer, every woman should perform breast self-exams monthly.
If you’d like to learn about the procedures I perform, contact me, Dr. Jim Namnoum, to schedule a consultation. Don’t forget to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and come back to the blog soon for more advice and information on looking & being your best.
