Ask a Scientist: Should I Sleep in a Bra?

rockin'robin

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If you don't want to throw them over your shoulder like a continental soldier...

The Answer: If you don’t want the girls to sag, then you’ll have to tuck them up before you tuck yourself in. It’s sad but true: Sleeping sans bra is the major cause of breast droop.

We wear bras during the day to bolster our breasts against the pull of gravity, then we lie braless in bed for eight hours. Well, guess what, gravity works at night, too.

The scientific name for droop is ptosis, a term that is often used to describe sagging eyelids. Ptosis of the ta-tas is a basic function of gravity, size and time. The downward force of gravity stretches the skin around the breast, and as we age, the skin’s natural collagen support system weakens, making it harder to bounce back.

Size matters, too. The larger your breasts are—whether due to genes, implants or pregnancy—the more they’ll droop. A and B cups needn’t worry too much, while those with Cs and up should make a habit of sleeping with support.

Rapid volume growth, from weight gain, pregnancy or implants increases sag potential. The dermis layer of your skin stresses and tears to compensate for the quick change—we know this as stretch marks. That stretched-out skin is more likely to droop.

The best thing you can do is keep the girls in check whenever possible. There’s no evidence that sleeping in a bra has any negative consequences beyond a pinch or a poke here and there, so just make sure to find something comfy like a sports bra or a cami with a built-in.

And don’t fret that pushing them together at night will give you cleavage wrinkles. That’s all about aging and sun damage, so you can put that myth to bed.


Sleep in a Bra? - YouBeauty.com
 
Another way to keep em where they're supposed to be is work on building your pectoral muscles, they'll help hold them up, keep em perky.

A couple years ago my mom got implants at age 56, doc told her she didn't need a boob lift along with them, and usually women her age do. That's probably a combination of her having a well develpoded, muscularwise, upper body and small breasts. Hoping I follow!!

And no way am I sleeping ina bra, ugh how uncomfy, won't sleep in undies either. Nope nope nope
 
I asked a scientist if I should sleep in a bra......she called security. :dunno:
 
I've always slept in mine...and still do....And it really does make a difference!

Remembering those times when it was "burn ur bra!"...(70's??)....now those ladies that did and went around with no bras on...the effect is noticeable!....

And one thing I cannot stand is seeing a heavy-chested lady wearing no bra in a tight tee-shirt!....
 
if this is really true... then what about sleeping upside down?
Will that give me a huge butt-sized cleavage? lol
 
Here's a different opinion:

According to Dr. Matthew Schulman, a New York City-based cosmetic surgeon, sagging mainly results from three things: "Loss of skin support or elastin; loss of the internal supporting structure of the breast-known as Cooper's Ligaments-which serve as an 'internal bra'; and involution or loss of breast tissue with age, weight changes, and pregnancy." Dr. Schulman states that there is no scientific evidence that bras have any bearing at all on whether our breasts sag. So, to answer your question, sleeping in a breathable fabric, non-underwire style bra may make some women more comfortable (especially those with very large breasts). However, it's not going to keep those girls up for the long haul.

I tend to believe that the majority of sagging/non-sagging is mostly dependent on genetics, aging (the breasts become less glandular) and overall nutrition. If you are large breasted, I think going braless during the day definitely strains the Coopers ligaments but I don't think this is a big concern at night when you sleep.
 
Unless I am taking a nap, I'm not going to change clothes just for comfort's sake! Sleeping with a bra is way too uncomfortable, so come bedtime I don't. Plus I buy pricey bras since they fit more secure, and I tend to sleep with one arm under my pillow and the other under my check so it kind of squishes my boobs. I don't want my good bras squished and creased.
 
Any volunteers to sleep with half a bra to test the theory?
 
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