Causes of Breast Droop

Breast droop is an unfortunate by-product of breast size, age, gravity, and pregnancy. Each of these causes contributes to stretching of breast skin.

Because breast skin is responsible for holding the breast in position, its laxity will give way to breast droop, also called breast ptosis (pronounced "toe-sis"). If your breast skin is tight and has good tone, it will hold your breast high. If your skin is loose or stretched, it will allow your breast to droop.

Size

Breast size is the greatest determinant of droop. As breasts enlarge, they are pulled downward by gravity. The overlying skin stretches and loses its tone. Age also contributes to breast droop, because skin thins with age and becomes less resistant to the effects of gravity. Yet, size is a more important factor than age. For example, an 18 year-old with large breasts may have greater droop than a 50-year-old with small breasts.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your breasts enlarge, causing the skin to stretch. Following pregnancy, your breasts might shrink in size, but the overlying skin might not. It often loses tone and allows droop. Because each pregnancy can cause and compound this, you should defer breast lift until after your last child is born, you have stopped breast-feeding, and your breasts have returned to their pre-pregnancy size.

Age

Believe it or not, age is the least important factor in causing droop.