Elevate Your Appearance: 11 Non-Invasive Breast Lift Options to Consider
A breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure that treats sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the remaining tissue. The end result is reduced sagginess, along with more shapely and contoured breasts. According to medical statistics, surgical breast lifts have increased by 70 percent since 2000, now surpassing other surgical breast treatments such as implants.
Despite the popularity of surgical options, many patients are increasingly opting for non-surgical breast lift alternatives. These procedures involve no cuts or incisions and don’t require general anesthesia, making them arguably safer by avoiding risks associated with traditional surgery.
While non-surgical breast lifts won’t provide the same dramatic results as a traditional mastopexy, they’re worth considering if you’re looking for a way to enhance your breasts with less risk and expense. Let’s explore 11 non-surgical breast lift options that you can discuss with a dermatologic or cosmetic surgeon.
Threading Techniques for Breast Enhancement
Aptos Threading Procedure
The Aptos threading procedure is designed to physically move the skin around your breasts in an upward motion. Nicknamed the “breast feather lift,” this treatment uses small, barbed Aptos threads that a cosmetic surgeon inserts beneath your skin via a hypodermic needle. The threads are then secured together and pulled upward toward your collarbone.
Despite the use of implanted threads, the Aptos procedure is still considered non-invasive, with results lasting up to 2 years. Best of all, it doesn’t cause scars like traditional incisions, and the threads dissolve naturally within 1 to 2 years.
Muscle Stimulation and Toning Treatments
Caci Bust Treatment
Originally created as a form of muscle injury treatment, the Caci bust treatment targets your chest muscles. Using a handheld device, a surgeon focuses electric pulses on the muscles surrounding your breasts. The end results are more toned chest muscles that help create a lifting and smoothing effect.
Like any other form of muscle strengthening, your results depend on time and frequency. A surgeon will likely recommend sessions a few times a week for up to several weeks to see full results. A complete package of Caci treatments can cost up to $2,000.
Energy-Based Treatments for Skin Tightening
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy uses high-power energy beams to remove dead skin cells while also increasing collagen production. For this reason, laser treatments are commonly used for advanced wrinkle therapy, age spots, and scars.
Increased collagen production can slightly increase skin elasticity in your chest area, but any “lifting” results would be temporary and minor at best. Repeated treatments are necessary to see any visible results. Part of the challenge is that the ligaments in breast tissue aren’t structured the same way as those in your face, so you may not get the same tightening results in your breasts that you would in facial skin.
Laser treatments carry potential risks including:
- Scarring
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Skin color changes
Thermage
Thermage is another type of collagen-stimulating procedure that uses radio waves to help tighten the protein fibers within your skin. During the process, a cosmetic surgeon uses a device called the company, which delivers radio waves to deeper skin layers. After a Thermage treatment, you’ll likely see tighter skin immediately.
Tightened collagen fibers in the chest area can also enhance your natural contours. However, you’ll need to repeat your treatment, as these effects are only temporary. Thermage works best in cases of mild sagging.
Renuvion/J-Plasma
The Renuvion/J-Plasma device represents newer technology for less invasive tightening. Cold plasma energy promotes skin contraction as well as the production of new collagen. The device carefully delivers rejuvenating effects to the target area and defines the natural contours of the body utilizing helium gas ionized with radio frequency (RF) energy.
Similar to Thermage, the procedure involves the plastic surgeon inserting a probe under the skin that needs to be tightened and treating it with plasma energy. There are some minimal results immediately with longer-acting results taking several months as the new collagen develops. Only one treatment is usually necessary.
Injectable Treatments for Breast Enhancement
Vampire Breast Lift
A vampire breast lift (the company) is an anti-aging procedure that uses platelet-rich plasma (the company) from your own blood. The overall goal of a the company is to slightly lift your breasts, similar to the effect of wearing a push-up bra.
While this procedure won’t treat sagging breasts per se, it can give the appearance of a lift with the help of increased blood circulation along with less noticeable wrinkles and scars. The results are seen gradually within a few months, with the overall effects lasting a couple of years.
The the company isn’t recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those who have a history of breast cancer.
Botulinum Toxin Injections
Botulinum toxin injections work by relaxing the muscles underneath your skin. This helps to create a smoothing effect on the skin’s surface. While some physicians may use these injections in the pectoral area to prevent slouching shoulders, this treatment isn’t officially approved as a breast-lifting method. The results are minor and last up to 4 months.
Dermal Fillers
Other injections typically used for the face are also being considered for the breast area. These include hyaluronic acid (HA)-based dermal (soft tissue) fillers. Another common dermal filler for this use is poly-L lactic acid, which lasts several months when injected. It stimulates the body to produce new collagen in the treated area and usually requires several treatments to see any results.
While not invasive, cosmetic fillers aren’t considered go-to treatments for the breast area due to a lack of long-term studies on their efficacy.
Natural Approaches to Breast Enhancement
Exercise
Exercise not only helps shrink body fat cells but certain types of exercise can also strengthen and tone your muscles. Upper body exercises, such as push-ups and triceps dips, help strengthen the chest muscles.
If you want to further target the muscles in your chest, the top three chest exercises according to fitness experts are:
- Barbell bench press
- Pec deck machine
- Bent-forward cable crossovers
While chest exercises strengthen and tone your muscles, no workout will give you the same lift in the breasts that surgery and other cosmetic procedures can. Instead, you might consider chest exercises if your skin elasticity is intact overall and you have minimum to mild sagging. Consider working with a trainer if you’re new to strength training exercises.
Proper Bra Fitting
Bras are used for comfort and support, and you may even opt for versions with different colors and fabrics for aesthetic purposes. When it comes to lifting your breasts, though, a new properly fitted bra can be one of the most affordable and accessible options available. Wearing the right bra can also help prevent your breasts from sagging in the first place.
The only way you can know whether you need a new bra size is by determining the right fit for you. If you’re unsure about proper fit, consider making an appointment with an expert at a specialized bra boutique.
Shaping Creams
Just as there are anti-aging creams to help minimize the appearance of sagging skin on your face, there are shaping creams designed for your neck and chest. These creams promise to help tone your skin while minimizing fine lines and age spots.
While less expensive options in the short run, shaping creams can’t actually lift your breasts. Instead, the skin treated around your breasts might look firmer and feel softer.
Potential Side Effects of Non-Surgical Breast Lifts
While non-surgical breast lifts are far less invasive than surgical options, they can still come with a few side effects. Even though you’ll be able to return to your daily activities without downtime, don’t be surprised if you notice irritation, redness, or discomfort after your procedure.
Temporary Irritation
With some kinds of non-surgical breast lifts, irritation such as redness, bruising, swelling, or discomfort can occur in the days following the procedure. With Aptos threading, for instance, you may notice redness in the areas where the threads were inserted. Or, with Caci bust treatment, you may feel slightly sore after your session. Even wearing a new bra can cause some skin irritation or muscle soreness.
In most cases, however, the irritation should be temporary. If you notice pain, swelling, or skin irritation that lasts longer than a few days, speaking with your healthcare provider is recommended.
Injectable-Related Complications
If you opt for injectable treatments on your breasts, complications can occur. These include:
- Minor bruising
- Tiredness
- Soreness
- Swelling
- Allergic reactions
Most reactions are temporary and mild, but if you notice side effects that concern you, contact your provider immediately.
Making an Informed Decision
Non-surgical breast lifts won’t offer the same results as traditional surgery, but they may be worth considering if you don’t want to undergo a full mastopexy. If you’re interested in exploring these options, ask your healthcare provider about breast lifting alternatives for which you may be a candidate.
Regardless of what you decide, it’s important to work with an experienced, board-certified professional. Beware of any procedure that promises dramatic lifting to your breasts with minimal effort. If it sounds too good to be true, then it likely is.
The right option for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and desired results. By understanding the available non-surgical breast lift options, you can make an informed decision about which approach might best help you achieve your aesthetic goals with minimal risk and recovery time.
