EXPERT TIPS TO SLOW DOWN THE EFFECTS OF AGING

One of the most unwelcome signs of ageing for women is droopy skin, especially in the chest area, but there are a few things you can do to slow down the process.

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According to a study done at the University of California, different parts of the female body age at different rates, and unfortunately the breasts age faster than the rest of the body. Elastin and collagen are two of the proteins that are naturally produced by the body, and are responsible for giving skin its healthy, plump appearance. As you get older, their production slows down, and skin starts sagging and showing signs of ageing.

WHAT NOT TO DO
There are some things you might be doing without realising that could contribute to your breasts’ sagging.

These include:

WEARING A BRA THAT DOESN’T PROVIDE ENOUGH SUPPORT
A loose-fitting bra will allow your breasts to jiggle and bounce, causing the supportive tissues (Cooper’s ligaments) to stretch. Unlike other muscles in the body, these tissues cannot revert to their original position once they have stretched.

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HIGH-IMPACT WORKOUTS
Scientists have found that when women run, their breasts move in a figure-of-eight pattern, not just up and down and this, in addition to the force of gravity as each foot hits the ground, puts undue pressure on the breast tissue.

YO-YO AND CRASH DIETING
If you crash diet, the lack of food sends your body into ‘starvation mode’ and signals it to store its fat reserves and burn lean tissue instead. The loss of muscle happens too quickly for your skin to adjust, which results in sagging and loose skin. Even worse is yo-yo dieting, which is when you crash diet and lose weight quickly, but then put it back on again quickly. The constant stretching and tightening of the skin causes loss of elasticity and wrinkling.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
You cannot prevent ageing forever, but here are some everyday tips to delay ageing and sagging:

KEEP YOUR SKIN WELL MOISTURISED
Well-nourished, properly hydrated skin is less prone to premature ageing. Fatty fish, avocados, sunflower seeds and sweet potatoes are all great for promoting healthy skin from the inside, and a good moisturiser will provide protection from the outside.

WEAR A WELL-FITTING BRA WITH ENOUGH SUPPORT
This prevents breasts from excessive bouncing, and so also limits stretching of the tissues. If you do a lot of exercise, it’s worth investing in a special sports bra – and making sure the fit is right. The bigger your breasts, the more support you need.



APPLY SUNSCREEN
Sun damage leads to premature ageing. Use sun protection all year round.

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MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Weight fluctuations cause skin to stretch, which means sagging breasts. If you want to lose weight, do so gradually by following a sensible diet – don’t even think of yo-yo or crash dieting.