Women spend an inordinate amount of attention to the prevention of aging on their face and hands, but what about their breasts? Conversely a lot of cosmetic enhancements are done to breasts to repair or rejuvenate the effects of time and aging on them. But are there things women can do to keep their breasts looking young?
In a newly published paper in the September issue of Aesthetic Surgery, a study was reported using twins as the subjects. Twin studies are always invaluable because they eliminate the highly variable influence of genetics on any body structure and allow one to look at just the environmental and lifestyle factors. The study was significant as over 160 pairs of identical female twins were evaluated. They had an average age of just under 48 years old. The aesthetics of their breasts were assessed using photographs and sixteen different aesthetic features. The details of their medical and personal histories were then matched to their photographs.
To no surprise, such factors as smoking, drinking alcohol, multiple pregnancies, being overweight and larger breasts sizes were all associated with negative effects on accelerated breast aging. Positive effects were daily moisturizing, hormone replacement therapy after menopause and breast feeding. The breastfeeding one is interesting because while it caused a less attractive areolar size and shape, it had a positive benefit on skin quality.
Many of major factors affecting breast attractiveness are out of a woman’s control or are at least more preferable than the adverse effects that they cause. How many children a woman wants and whether she chooses to breastfed or not are major personal decisions. A woman may not even have the option of choosing hormone replacement therapy.
Like the face, simple maintenance steps such as moisturization and not smoking go a long way and are easy to do.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana