How Do Breasts Change Naturally As We Age?

All parts of our bodies continue to see changes throughout our lives and breast changes are no exception. Breasts see natural changes to their appearance and feel as we get older, as skin elasticity weakens and gravity takes a toll.  

The tissue and structure of breasts can also change due to major life events such as pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and menopause, when changes in the levels of hormones and physical changes in the body can lead to breasts losing their fullness and becoming less firm.  

The ageing process also sees natural breasts see an increased risk in developing growths such as fibroids, cysts, or developing cancer. It remains a priority to examine your breasts and to be aware of any changes that may need medical attention. 

Many breast changes happen after pregnancy and childbirth. Breast changes in pregnancy are usually caused by milk production and hormonal fluctuations. The most common pregnancy boob changes are an increase in size and a change in sensation (many women feel their breasts are very tender). The increased size is maintained during breastfeeding, however once breastfeeding has finished, it is normal for the size of the breasts to decrease. Due to the breast tissue stretching during pregnancy and breastfeeding, some women find they experience sagging or a deflated appearance. Boob changes during pregnancy are completely normal, however the effects may impact some women’s confidence.

It is also common to see changes when women go through menopause. The average ages for this are between 45 and 55. This sees the amount of oestrogen being reducing leading to the skin becoming less hydrated. The skin loses its elasticity, and the breasts begin to lose their firmness and fullness. The dense breast tissue deteriorates and is replaced with more fatty tissue in its place. It is common for women to change their cup size as these changes take place during the ageing process.  

Fat transfer to breasts is sometimes referred to as a Natural Breast Augmentation. This is because rather than using implants to change their appearance the surgeon uses fat from your own body. Also known as fat grafting, this procedure sees fat being harvested from elsewhere on your body using Liposuction. Typically, the fat is taken from your waist, buttocks, or thighs. The fat is then transferred to your breasts and has the effect of increasing their volume and improving their lift.

For women with natural breasts who are experiencing any of the changes associated with ageing, fat transfer to breasts can be the ideal solution. Unlike when breast implants are used, this process is not for significantly increasing the size of your natural boobs. Instead, the aim is to refine the shape and size and to give your breasts a subtle boost.  

A further benefit of fat transfer to breasts is that there is not the same issue with scarring that is expected when implants are used. With this process, rather than incisions being made, the fat is injected into your breasts.  

It is common for dermal fillers to be used to address wrinkles on the face or to add plumpness to the lips. When it comes to breast fillers, the same filler used for lips can have an impact on breast size. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in our bodies and when breast fillers are used it is this substance that is injected into the breast. The result is an increase in breast size but the results are not permanent.

We do not perform this treatment at the Cadogan Clinic. Generally, the results from boob fillers can only be seen for a matter of months and such large quantities of filler would be required that other treatments are much more cost effective. After a few months your body begins to naturally reabsorb the filler. To maintain the results that you had it is then necessary to have your treatment repeated.  

For an increase in breast size that is longer-term, it is worth considering fat transfer to breasts as an alternative. A consultation with a specialist is the best way to find out more about how the issues caused to breasts by ageing can be rectified. At times the best results are not achieved through one procedure and a combination may be necessary.