Nonsurgical Breast Lift - How it is Performed

When a person has breasts that are sagging and need to be raised, they often undergo a breast lift to remove excess skin and reshape the remaining breast tissue. A surgical breast lift, AKA mastopexy, is able to eliminate the saggy appearance while also giving the breasts a look that is more contoured and youthful. One of the reasons a person might not want to have a surgical breast lift is because of the invasive nature of the procedure as incisions have to be created in order to achieve the desired look. For those who want to explore other options, keep reading to learn how a nonsurgical breast lift is able to alter and enhance the look of the breasts.

Nonsurgical Breast Lift – Why it is Gaining in Popularity

Even though breast lift surgery has increased by 70% since the year 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there is still a growing number of patients making the decision to have a nonsurgical breast lift. During a nonsurgical breast lift, there is no need for the surgeon to create any incisions in the body of the patient. Plus, a nonsurgical breast lift does not have the same risks as a surgical breast lift such as bleeding or scarring.

Patients do need to know that a nonsurgical breast lift does not provide the same dramatic results as a traditional breast lift. However, the nonsurgical options can give the breasts a more refreshed look while also being less expensive than the invasive surgical method.

Nonsurgical Breast Lift – Treatment Options for Patients

Here are some common and popular nonsurgical breast lift options patients can discuss with their doctor of choice:

• Aptos threading, which is sometimes referred to as a “breast feather lift,” is a procedure that uses barbed, small Aptos threads to physically move the skin around the breasts in an upward motion. The threads are placed beneath the skin by a hypodermic needle. Then, they are secured together so they can be pulled upwards towards the collarbone. The results last from one to two years and the threads eventually dissolve on their own.
• Thermage uses radio waves to stimulate collagen production as well as tighten the protein fibers in the skin. The radio waves reach the deep layers of the skin which causes an immediate result of tighter skin. The tightened fibers of collagen in the chest enhance the natural contours of the area and give the breasts a look that is more rejuvenated if the breasts have mild sagging. The results are not permanent so additional treatments will be needed to maintain the results.
• A Renuvion/J-Plasma device is another option for tightening the skin. The doctor uses cold plasma energy to contract the skin and promote new collagen production. The target area is rejuvenated and gives an improved definition to the contours of the body thanks to helium gas that is ionized with radiofrequency energy. Some results will be seen immediately in the breasts, but the skin will tighten over time. The final results are not permanent.
• A vampire breast lift uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from the blood of the patient for a look that is able to slightly lift the breasts. This treatment does not treat the look of sagging breasts, but it does give the look of a breast lift thanks to an increase in blood circulation and a reduced look to scars and wrinkles. The doctor takes a sample of blood from the patient and then the blood is placed in a centrifuge machine to draw out the PRP as well as separate it from other blood components. Once the breasts are numbed by the doctor, the PRP solution is injected into the breasts. The full results should be seen within three months, and they can last for up to two years.
• There has been some use of Botox and fillers to gain the look of a breast lift. There are doctors who use Botox injections in the pectoral area to lessen the occurrence of slouching shoulders which gives the breasts a more lifted look. However, the use of Botox is not approved by the FDA as a method to lift the breasts. The commonly used filler for the breast area is Sculptra and it stimulates the production of new collagen. Like Botox, it is not FDA-approved for injection into the area of the breasts. Both Botox and fillers do not provide permanent results so additional treatments will be needed to maintain the results.

The results of any of the nonsurgical breast lift treatments listed above will not be able to offer the same lasting results of a surgical breast lift which is ten to fifteen years. It is important for the patient to discuss any of these options with an experienced and board-certified surgeon as the doctor can learn more about the results desired by the patient and also recommend the best option to lift the breasts.

- MA