The message is clear and definitely worthy of support: every woman should be able to decide for herself whether and what she wears – without feeling judged by society.
But what about the physical aspect? Is it healthy not to wear a bra or are there any sagging breasts? We explain what happens to the breasts when women don’t wear a bra.
Table of Contents
structure of the breast
sense of the bra
The classic brassiere is worn to support the fat and connective tissue of the breast. Women with large breasts in particular find it less stressful and less annoying when their breasts are held in place by a bra.
That’s what happens without a bra
What are the consequences if we leave out the bra in the home office or in everyday life?
According to a French study , this supposedly has a positive effect on the firmness of the breasts: if you leave off the bra more often, you automatically train the muscles, which would tighten the entire breast and the connective tissue. This is similar to wearing a corset: the support function relieves the affected muscles and they no longer have to work themselves, causing them to become slack over time.
But beware! As the responsible sports physician Jean-Denis Rouillon himself admitted, slim, athletic women with small breasts took part in the study. Therefore, the result is not representative for every body shape.
Especially women with large breasts, pregnant women, overweight and older women should support their breasts with a bra to keep them in shape. Since the muscle sits behind the tissue, i.e. does not enclose it, the muscle here is not sufficient in relation to the mass to tighten the chest.
Do you need a bra?
As the study shows, whether a bra is needed depends primarily on the size of the bust. Most women have a good sense of whether or not they should wear a bra. Anyone who feels comfortable without it and has no complaints does not need any extra support. However, if you experience pain when moving or if you feel disturbed by the exposed bust size, it is better to reach for a bra.
Incidentally, rumors that say that wearing a bra is harmful to health or even carcinogenic have not yet been confirmed. But it is important that the underwear sits correctly ! The bra should neither chafe nor be too big or too small.
Also exciting: With these tips you will find the right sports bra >>
Which factors favor sagging breasts?
The fact that the connective tissue and the skin decrease with age and lose elasticity is completely natural and cannot be prevented. This begins around the age of 35. In addition to age, there are other factors that play a role in the firmness of the breasts.
The cup size:
Large breasts are heavier than small ones and therefore have to carry more weight. Due to the heavy load, large breasts also lose their elasticity faster than small breasts. So it’s worth grabbing a supportive bra here.
Genes
Genetics also affect whether breast sagging occurs early or late. Because how strong the connective tissue is depends largely on our genes. Those who find softer tissue on other parts of the body, such as thighs or upper arms, will probably also be more susceptible to sagging breasts.
Lifestyle
How tight the connective tissue is can be influenced to a certain extent. Anyone who eats a balanced diet, does a lot of sport and drinks enough water is definitely doing something good for the tissue. Conversely, little exercise, a lot of alcohol and smoking are bad for the connective tissue and ultimately promote sagging breasts.
Pregnancy
There is no general rule here, but it is often the case that women who have already been pregnant already find that the tissue in their breasts is more stressed. The growth of the breasts during pregnancy and breastfeeding stretches the tissue in the breast like a rubber band. It may well happen that this does not go back to exactly the way it was before.
So you can decide according to your own feel-good factor whether you prefer to leave the house with or without a bra. But: The bra always belongs at night! This allows the tissue to regenerate optimally and prevents accumulation of sweat, which can lead to fungal infections.
