Breast ptosis, the scientific name for sagging breasts, is a common condition. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having saggy breasts. However, some people may be curious about the science behind it. In addition, there are many reasons people claim breasts sag, and not all of them are true. For example, people link smoking weed to sagging breasts. Does smoking weed actually make your breasts sag? Here’s what we know.
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Does Smoking Weed Really Make your Breasts Sag?
There isn’t much research done on smoking weed and breast sagging. However, there is research done on smoking cigarettes and breast sagging.
According to Healthline, smoking causes the skin to lose its flexibility and strength. In addition to that, Healthline says that smoking can accelerate aging, which can cause sagging breasts.
Very Well Mind mentions how detrimental smoke is to the skin. They said that cigarette smoke damages the elastin and collagen in your skin. Therefore, your skin can get harder and lose its elasticity. Furthermore, smoking can also accelerate aging. Very Well Mind says, “Smoking also causes premature aging because it narrows the blood vessels (limiting the amount of oxygen your skin gets), increases the production of free radicals, and lowers levels of vitamin A in the skin.”
In addition to that, a 2010 review also found that smoking can lead to sagging. The study concluded that smoking history is one of the significant risk factors for breast ptosis. The review examined 132 patients who went to plastic surgeons to get breast augmentation. The researchers used the patient’s charts and a telephone interview to obtain the data for the review.
However, a 2016 study found that smoking history was not found to be a significant causing factor of ptosis. This study was conducted with 125 patients who went to a university plastic surgery clinic seeking consultation for mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery between 2010 and 2015.
You may be wondering what cigarette smoking has to do with weed smoking. Well, there are a lot of similar compounds in weed smoke and cigarette smoke. For example, they both have tar and carbon monoxide. We’re not sure what about smoking or the particular components that contribute to sagging, but chances are they’re in weed smoke as well.
Other Reasons Breasts Sag
There are actually many reasons why breasts sag. According to Healthline, the most common cause is aging. As people age, the ligaments in their breast, known as Cooper’s ligaments, stretch out. The skin also loses elasticity as we age, which contributes to sagging. The bottom line is sagging is totally natural and not life-threatening.
There are a host of other reasons why breasts sag besides aging. We’ll be looking at:
- Breast size
- Multiple pregnancies
However, before we get into those, we want to dispel some common misconceptions. Firstly, not wearing a bra does not contribute to ptosis. However, according to Healthline, some research has suggested that breast motion during exercise could cause stretch and sagging. Even though that’s only one study, you can wear a well-fitted sports bra if you’re worried.
In addition to that, Healthline says an ill-fitting bra does not lead to ptosis. It may be uncomfortable but probably won’t lead to sagging.
Finally, contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding doesn’t lead to ptosis.
Now, let’s get into what studies suggest does lead to ptosis.
Breast Size
Research suggests that bigger breasts are more susceptible to ptosis. According to Healthline, you have gravity to thank for that.
The 2016 study we previously referenced says that breast tissue weight was the most important factor in sagging.
The 2019 review says that, among other factors, bra cup size was a significant risk factor for breast ptosis.
Looking for a solution? Well, Healthline suggests using a well-fitted bra when exercising.
Multiple Pregnancies
According to Healthline, the more pregnancies you have, the greater the chance of developing breast ptosis. They said, “Hormonal changes shrink and expand milk ducts with each pregnancy, which can lead to sagging tissues.” In addition to that, the fluctuation in weight during and after pregnancy could contribute to the ptosis.
The 2016 study and 2010 review also found that multiple pregnancies are a significant risk factor.
Is There Any Way to Stop Breasts from Sagging?
Breast ptosis is normal and commonly caused by gravity and aging. Therefore, in some sense, you may be unable to stop it. However, there are some ways you can reduce the likelihood of breast ptosis.
A simple, noninvasive option is to opt for a well-fitting bra. Chances are, wearing a bra won’t actually impact the progression of breast ptosis. However, it can give the appearance of lifted bosoms, and for many people, that’s good enough.
If you want another option, Healthline suggests pectoral muscle workouts that target muscle under the breast may help. However, according to Medical News Today, exercises such as planks and push-ups may or may not work. They said, “doctors find it challenging to recommend such exercises, as researchers have not investigated them for this purpose in clinical studies.”
In addition to exercises, maintaining weight may be beneficial but, of course, not possible or desired by everyone. Healthline says, “keep weight consistent, and at a level that’s healthy for you. This may prevent breast sag and make breasts firmer.”
You probably guessed the fourth option; quit smoking. If you’re worried smoking weed is making your breast sag, you can opt for other delivery methods such as edibles.
Finally, you can opt for plastic surgery. According to Medical News Today, plastic surgeons may recommend a breast lift, breast augmentation, or both. This method can definitely be costly but can give you the results you want. If you want to go this route, schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon to weigh the risks and benefits.
Conclusion
Does smoking weed actually make your breasts sag? We’re not sure, but we do know that some sources say smoking generally does. Since weed and cigarette smoke have similar components, it’s possible that smoking weed can result in breast ptosis. At the same time, there are many other factors to consider and solutions if you’re interested. However, it’s important to remember that breast sagging is normal and natural and not something that automatically has to be fixed. At the end of the day, the choice is yours. Do what makes you happy.
