There is a common misconception that in order to be a good candidate for a breast lift, you must be a certain age. However, age is not always a good indication of whether or not a breast lift could be right for you, as many other factors will influence this decision.
Our bodies begin producing less collagen — an important protein required for firm, youthful-looking skin — around the age of 20. Thus, drooping skin can appear sooner than you might think, depending on the size of your breasts and other factors such as pregnancy, weight loss or gain and genetics.
Rather than asking what the best age for a breast lift is, ask yourself whether or not you fit into the following categories to help you decide if a breast lift could be right for you.
Overall Health
Prior to any cosmetic procedure, your cosmetic surgeon will perform a physical examination to make sure you are in good physical and mental health. If you are still working on achieving a major weight loss goal, for instance, it may be best to postpone your breast lift until you’ve reached a healthy weight.
More important than age is that your overall health is good.
Lifestyle factors such as eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise and reducing stress greatly contribute to a person’s overall health and wellbeing. Therefore, it is possible for an older woman to be in better physical health than a younger woman, making the older woman a better candidate for cosmetic surgery.
Skin Quality
Many women choose to get a breast lift due to excess or loose skin around their breasts. This can be caused by a number of factors, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight loss, and the natural aging process. As you can see, age is only one factor that can contribute to loose or drooping skin in this area.
If this is a cosmetic concern for you at virtually any age, you could be a good candidate for a breast lift. This procedure removes and tightens excess skin while lifting the position of your breasts, resulting in a firmer, perkier appearance.
Breast Symmetry
For some women, asymmetrical breasts are one reason they consider a breast enhancement procedure like a breast lift. Genetics can play a role in determining how symmetrical your breasts naturally are, although extrinsic factors like breastfeeding, weight loss or gain and even conditions like scoliosis can also contribute to breast asymmetry.
A breast lift with or without implants can be an appropriate solution for breast asymmetry in many cases. Discuss your specific goals with your cosmetic surgeon at your consultation to help you decide if breast enhancement could be right for you.
The “Pencil Test”
Finally, if you are concerned that your breasts are drooping at any age, you can perform what’s known as the pencil test to determine whether or not you might be a candidate for a breast lift.
To perform the pencil test, place a pencil at the crease beneath your breast. If the pencil stays in place, this likely means that breast drooping is significant enough that you could benefit from a breast lift. If the pencil drops to the ground, you may not be a candidate for this procedure at this time.
Dr. James Koehler at Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery provides today’s most popular cosmetic surgery and nonsurgical options. Choose from breast enhancement procedures such as breast augmentation, body sculpting procedures including liposuction and tummy tucks, and facial procedures such as facelifts, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and much more. We are dedicated to providing outstanding care and results. Come in for a visit and see our difference for yourself!
