Keeping the Breast Skin Beautiful After Childbirth

Even though the breast is not always exposed to the public like the face is, for many women this part of the body is an important part of how they feel about their appearance. Therefore caring for the breast skin after childbirth matters to many women. Because we understand this, we want to highlight certain points that may cause many women to be uncomfortable with the looks on their breast. If you have been with us on this link for some time now, you may have read about the various services offered at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Dr. Dalal Akoury, MD, MPH’s care. We mention one procedure some women ask about, called the vampire breast lift. It is a newer procedure that some women consider as part of caring for their breast skin after childbirth; research on this use is limited, it is not a replacement for a surgical breast lift, and results vary. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Akoury today to discuss whether it may be appropriate for you.

It is true that the breasts of a woman will undergo major changes after giving birth to a baby, and to help us understand these transformations the following are some of the most common changes that take place in the life of a woman and can affect how her breasts look and feel:

Breast Composition

• During pregnancy a woman’s breasts change in readiness to provide milk for the newborn baby.
• The biggest change is in the actual composition of the breast tissue.
• An increase in the female hormone estrogen causes the milk ducts in the breast to grow and branch out.
• In late pregnancy, the milk ducts in the breasts have almost completely replaced areas which were previously occupied by fatty tissue.
• A woman’s breast size may increase several cup sizes during pregnancy.

When a woman weans her baby or if she does not breastfeed, the milk ducts in the breasts begin to shrink as they are no longer needed. As the breasts are primarily composed of milk ducts, the breasts also reduce. Women commonly report that their breasts feel hollow or deflated. If the weaning occurs abruptly the breast shrinkage can be quite instant. Over time, however, fat tissue does begin to replace the milk ducts in the breast and they may start to feel fuller. If weaning occurs gradually some of this fat tissue returns at the same time as the milk ducts are shrinking and so the change in the breasts is not as dramatic. Just as it takes months for the breasts to get ready for their breastfeeding duties it takes many months for breasts to return to a pre-pregnancy state once a woman stops breastfeeding. This is what is causing many women great concern, and a phone call to Dr. Akoury for an appointment can help you learn more about the aging breast skin.

Breast Sagging

When the breasts grow during pregnancy and breastfeeding the skin of the breasts also grows. When a woman weans her baby or if she does not breastfeed the size of her breasts reduces but the extra skin does not, which causes the breasts to sag. Breast sagging is more pronounced in women with larger breasts than in those with smaller breasts. It is important to note that breast sagging is worsened by smoking as it breaks down the elastin in the skin which provides support.

One very important point to note is that breast sagging is a natural thing and may not be avoided in the long run. Even though this is bound to happen someday, the changes which take place during pregnancy have a strong impact on the breast and can speed up sagging. In her office, Dr. Akoury can discuss options such as the vampire face lift and other procedures that may help support the appearance of the breast skin after childbirth. Individual experiences vary.

Stretch Marks

While women are aware of the possibility of getting stretch marks on their abdomen during pregnancy, many are surprised to find that their breasts can also be affected. Stretch marks are more likely to occur when breasts grow rapidly, although some women are just more prone to them. During pregnancy a woman’s breasts can enlarge anywhere from one to three cup sizes. Normally stretch marks occur when the collagen fibers in the deeper layers of the skin are put under strain and actually fray and break. Stretch marks can be pink, red, purple or brown in colour. And because stretch marks cause damage to collagen fibers they will always remain. However, the good news is that with time they will eventually fade to a pale silvery colour.

Changes to the Areola and Nipple

During pregnancy the nipples and the areola (the pigmented area immediately surrounding the nipples) become darker in colour. These pigment changes tend to be permanent with the nipples/areola being darker than before pregnancy. The areola can also thicken and become larger in diameter. Women’s nipples also tend to remain longer than before they were pregnant.

Accepting Breast Changes

Many people feel pressure to regain their pre-pregnancy appearance quickly, especially when comparing themselves with celebrities, who often have dietitians and personal trainers. Recovery after childbirth takes time and is different for everyone. If you would like to talk about skin health after pregnancy, you can consult with Dr. Akoury, a physician with a long-standing interest in skin health, to discuss care that may help support healthier skin on the breast and the rest of the body. Individual experiences vary.

Breastfeeding and Breast Changes

Finally, breastfeeding is often blamed for the way a woman’s breasts look and feel after having a baby. However, research suggests that it is mainly the pregnancy itself, rather than breastfeeding, that changes the breasts. Much of the change in breast composition happens by late pregnancy, whether or not a woman breastfeeds, so there is no need to avoid breastfeeding out of concern for how your breasts will look.

Learn about our Skin & Anti-Aging services, or book a consultation.

Related reading: Breast sagging in teens: what is normal and what may help and the Vampire Facelift (PRP facial) guide.