As we get older, signs of aging begin creeping in. You may notice fine lines on your face or aching joints, but aging affects every part of the body, and this includes your breasts. While there is an endless assortment of lotions and serums that promise to turn back the clock and deliver a more youthful face, the same isn’t true for bringing life back to drooping and sagging breasts.
In this case, giving the breasts a perkier and younger appearance often requires a breast lift. But when is the best time to get a breast lift? Should you wait until your breasts are hanging low or choose to be a bit more proactive? Let’s take a look and see if there is a “best age” for a breast lift.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin while tightening surrounding tissue to lift and contour the breasts, giving them a lifted and youthful appearance. A breast lift uses several different incision techniques to reshape and lift the breasts, creating a rounder and more youthful appearance that is unique to you. Dr. Castellano works to hide the incisions with the creases of the body and minimize any potential scarring.
Reasons to Consider a Breast Lift
Women consider breast lifts when they notice drooping and sagging of the breasts. Gravity and loss of skin activity as you age can play a role in the loss of skin elasticity and these changes in the position of your breasts. These changes can occur as the result of many factors including:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Significant weight gain and loss
- Collagen loss
- Heredity
- Aging
- Simple gravity
How Age Can Play a Role in Planning a Breast Lift
When it comes to the best age for a breast lift, there isn’t one. As we listed above, many different factors contribute to sagging breasts and those changes can begin to show as early as your late teens and early 20s. However, because of other factors, such as pregnancy, many women will wait until they are older before considering a breast lift. Here we break it down by age to highlight some key factors.
- Teens to Mid-20s – In general, breast growth completes during these years and breast sagging is not usually common unless you have a family history. At this age, genetics is the biggest contributing factor to breast sagging and the desire for a breast lift.
- The mid-20s to mid-30s – In 1970, women were having children starting at 21. However, now, many women are waiting until 29 or later to begin their family. While pregnancy is the major cause of breast sagging, this age used to be the prime age for breast lifts once families were complete. Now, however, that isn’t the case.
- Mid-30s to mid-40s – By this age, families are complete and many women are experiencing a significant loss of collagen, a protein that helps support the skin and keep breasts from sagging. This age is often when women begin to consider a breast lift.
- Mid-40s and older – Starting in the mid-40s, many women now have older kids able to care for themselves, giving them the time to invest in themselves, making this age ideal for many women.
Other Factors We Consider When Planning a Breast Lift
In addition to age, there are other factors to consider when deciding on the best time for a breast lift. Things like overall health, the use of nicotine and tobacco, your current body weight, and other underlying medical conditions can all play a role in determining the best time for your breast lift procedure.
If you are considering a breast lift, our team at Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center is here to answer your questions and develop a treatment plan that focuses on your current needs and recommendations to get the best results from your breast lift. To learn more, call 813-872-6093 today to schedule your consultation, and take the first step to turning back the clock and giving your breasts a lift.
Author: Dr. Joseph Castellano
Dr. Joseph Castellano is a native Floridian who grew up in the Tampa Bay area. After medical school and residency, Dr. Castellano returned home and has opened a practice in Tampa, Florida focusing on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, and eyelid rejuvenation. He is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
