When it comes to cosmetic breast surgery, most people only think about size enhancements. Size does make a difference in your breasts’ overall appearance, but it is not the only determining factor. The shape of your breasts and how they sit on your chest can influence their attractiveness, too. We all know that as we age, we start to lose the firmness and shape of our breasts, and they become more saggy. Did you know you can change that with different types of breast lifts?Multiple surgical and non-surgical breast lift procedures can help you get perkier breasts without changing their size. Today, we’ll discuss the types of breast lift procedures and explain how they can improve your breasts and boost your self-image.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift procedure is performed by a plastic surgeon to reshape the breasts. It includes removing excess skin, raising the breast tissue, and repositioning the nipple and areola. Due to the youthful and natural-looking contour it creates, the breast lift has become one of the most sought-out breast procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of breast lift surgeries performed in the United States has increased 70% in the last 20 years. Now breast lifts are even more popular than implants! In addition to delivering perkier breasts, they can boost your confidence and help you achieve the beach bod you’ve been dreaming of.
Who Can Get a Breast Lift?
Many women who want to enhance the look of their breasts can opt for either surgical or non-surgical breast lifts. Most people see a shift in their breasts’ firmness and elasticity after a certain age, and these procedures can help. There are many different reasons people choose to undergo different breast lift types. Let’s take a look at some of them.
- Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings about many changes to the body. One of the most noticeable is in the breasts. As your breasts get heavier and you breastfeed, the supporting ligaments in the tissues stretch further, and they often look saggier afterward. A simple breast lift procedure can undo these changes and bring back a perkier look.
- Weight Fluctuations
Weight changes can also stretch out the skin of your breasts. If you suddenly lose too much weight, you will also lose a significant volume of your breasts. You can remove the excess skin with certain breast lift types that adjust your breasts to your new body.
- Gravity
Gravity, in conjunction with aging, also conspires to wear away the firmness of your breasts. The ligaments in your breast will stretch out over time as a result of gravity and become saggy. You can easily counter this effect with surgical or non-surgical breast lifts.
- Genetics
Some women who seek out different types of breast lift procedures have developed drooping breasts because of genetic factors. They may never have been pregnant or lost a lot of weight. Their breasts may naturally look a bit saggy, and they want to change it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to change the appearance of your breasts, and a breast lift can help you do that.
How Do I Know If I Need a Breast Lift?
The only sure way to know whether you are a qualified candidate for breast lifts is by visiting a skilled plastic surgeon. However, if you want to get a general idea, you can consider the following questions to evaluate whether this might be a good option for you:
- Do your nipples point downward?
The extra weight on your breasts due to pregnancy or weight gain can pull your nipples downward. If your nipples do face downward, you can likely undergo some type of breast lift to reposition them to face forward.
- Are your nipples/areolas beneath the crease of your breast?
The position of your nipples and areolas in proportion to the crease of your breasts is an important determining factor. Perform this test to see if you can benefit from a breast lift: Take off your bra and put a sheet of paper under your breast. Check yourself in the mirror to see if your nipples fall below the top edge of the sheet of paper. If so, you are likely a good candidate for a surgical or non-surgical breast lift.
- Are you unhappy with the shape of your breasts?
If you think your breasts are asymmetrical or are dissatisfied with their shape, you may be a good candidate for a breast lift. As we have already mentioned, breast lift procedures can correct the shape and symmetry of your breasts.
- Are you happy with the shape of your breasts when you wear a bra?
If you do not like how your breasts fit in bras, you can opt for a breast lift. You can even combine that with a breast augmentation procedure to enhance their size and achieve a fuller look.
So what are your options when it comes to breast lifts? Let’s find out.
The Different Types of Breast Lifts
You can get surgical or non-surgical breast lifts. Surgical methods are more common and yield the most dramatic results. Non-surgical procedures may be best for people who do not want to undergo surgery but still want to change the appearance of their breasts. Depending on your aesthetic goals, either type of breast lift could be appropriate for you. Let’s explore each one in greater detail.
Surgical Breast Lift Types
- More prominent and longer-lasting results
- More downtime and scarring
- More expensive
Breast Lift Techniques
Experienced plastic surgeons uses a lollipop incision to minimize the appearance of scarring. The procedure will be adapted to your breast tissue, the amount of excess skin, and your beauty goals. Cosmetic surgeons work closely with you to align themselves with your vision and employ the best techniques for your needs. Read on to learn more about the different types of breast lift techniques.
Crescent Breast Lift
This type of breast lift is perfect for those with a small degree of sagging. It is also the ideal choice for those who want the least amount of scarring. Plastic surgeons usually perform a crescent breast lift alongside an augmentation. In addition to reshaping the breast, this technique can correct nipple asymmetry.
In this procedure, the plastic surgeon makes a small incision along the top half edge of the areola. It leaves a barely visible scar hidden in the pigmentation. The lift is noticeable, and 98% of patients who receive this type of breast lift are happy with the results.
Periareolar Breast Lift
The periareolar breast lift is also known as a donut lift or a Benelli lift. This technique is suitable for those with mild sagging, and it is often in conjunction with a breast augmentation like a crescent lift. It can give a subtle lift to the breasts while reducing the areola size.
Here the plastic surgeon makes a single circular incision running around the outer edge of the areola. The remaining scar is minimally visible, but the change in appearance is evident.
Vertical Breast Lift
The vertical breast lift is also called a lollipop lift or a keyhole lift. It can help women with moderate sagging who need more extensive reshaping.
This type of breast lift needs two incisions: a circular one around the edge of the areola and a second incision vertically down the areola to the bottom of the breast crease. The incisions allow the plastic surgeon to remove the excess skin and reshape the entire breast. Our cosmetic surgeons handle this lift in a way that leaves minimal scarring and promotes speedy recovery times.
Anchor Breast Lift
The anchor breast lift, also called the inverted T lift, is reserved for those with significant sagging who need extensive reshaping. It is sometimes performed alongside a breast reduction.
The surgery requires three incisions: one incision around the edge of the areola, a second vertical incision from the bottom of the areola down to the breast crease, and a third horizontal incision along the bottom of the breast. The three incisions allow the plastic surgeon to reshape your breasts substantially.
This type of breast lift has the most scarring, but the scars will fade with proper care, and the procedure results in a dramatic, beautiful change.
Breast Lift With Augmentation
A lift can give your breasts a perkier look and reposition your nipples and areolas, but it may not always be as effective as you want. If you are looking for a fuller shape, you can combine your breast lift procedure with a breast augmentation.
Breast augmentation with implants can increase the size of your breasts while improving their shape. If you want larger breasts that stand higher on your chance, this may be the best combination for you.
Plastic surgeons usually place your implants simultaneously with elevating your breasts. The augmentation procedure is straightforward and not that invasive. The implants provide a long-lasting fullness and an attractive look.
Non-surgical Breast Lift Types
- A more subtle change in appearance
- Less invasive with minimal scarring and downtime
- Less expensive
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments are an ideal choice for reducing wrinkles and age spots. They use high-power energy beams to remove dead skin cells. Meanwhile, they encourage the body to produce more collagen and fiber. This increase in collagen can help restore elasticity and tightness to the breast, hence making laser treatment a subtle option as a non-surgical breast lift.
This painless procedure takes up to an hour and does not need a lengthy downtime. However, the results are temporary, and you will need several treatments to notice a difference in your breasts.
Botox Injections
Botox injections are used to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. The FDA has also approved them for chronic migraine treatment. Now plastic surgeons can even inject them in the pectoral area to give your breasts a slight lift.
As with other minimally invasive procedures, the results of this non-surgical breast lift are subtle. If you want to maintain the look, you will need to redo the injections every four months.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are another type of facial injectables that can also be used as a non-surgical breast lift. Plastic surgeons use hyaluronic acid and poly-L lactic acid-based fillers for this purpose.
You will need multiple injections to see significant results. Afterward, you can enjoy your new breasts for several months before needing a touch-up.
Does Insurance Cover Surgical and Non-surgical Breast Lift Procedures?
Based on federal law, medical insurance is required to cover breast reconstruction surgeries following a mastectomy. Since breast lifts are considered cosmetic surgery, they are usually not covered by medical insurance. However, you should always reach out to your insurance company and ask whether they will cover part of the costs to be sure.
