With the onset of the pandemic, many women at birth unbuttoned their strapless, padded, and push-up bras. They opted to maximize comfort by choosing to wear nothing or wear a sports bra.
This garment is no longer just exclusive to the gym, going for a run or spinning class. Many people wear a sports bra when they stay home or run errands, and nearly a quarter wear them to work. But could wearing sports bras 24/7 sabotage the health or appearance of your breasts? Some people claim that they cause problems such as sagging, pain, breakouts, or even breast cancer.
Myths about sports bras
Some of the downsides we may have heard about sports bras aren’t entirely valid. Fortunately, there are beliefs that can be demystified.
They make the breasts sag
No way. The breast can change shape over time due to structures in the breast tissue called Cooper’s ligaments. These are like rubber bands that help lift and support, and they get looser as we age. Anything that causes strain on Cooper’s ligaments can alter their shape.
The best example of this is loose breasts or wearing a bra that does not provide enough support so that the breasts hang down, stretching these ligaments.
Because sports bras generally offer more support than a regular bra, it’s theoretically possible that they will decrease sagging. But there is no clinical data on this.
Cause breast pain
There are no good clinical data to demonstrate this. In contrast, well-fitting sports bras are linked to increased breast comfort.
Underwired bras can give a more lifted appearance, but not all underwired bras provide good support; As a result, if someone has a larger chest size, this can strain the muscles behind the chest (the pectoral muscles) and cause pain. Many people feel sore in their breasts and switch to wearing a sports bra or a bra with stretchy material because they feel they have better support.
give breast cancer
There is no truth to the theory that the added pressure of a tight sports bra can prevent the body from releasing toxins, leading to disease. Wearing a sports bra all the time does not compress lymph nodes or cause cancer.
In fact, a compression bra is recommended for breast cancer patients to help prevent breast lymphedema (swelling of the breast due to poor lymphatic drainage) after surgery and radiation.
Can they cause skin problems?
Sports bra addicts may experience breakouts. The key is that if we sweat in a sports bra, whether from exercise or the summer heat, and don’t change it afterwards, perspiration collects on both the skin and the material. When sweat dries, it leaves behind mineral salts, such as sodium, potassium, and chloride.
We may have ever noticed a white lace residue on the bra after working out. That’s mineral salt , and they tend to irritate the skin quite a bit. It is normal to notice pimples or a rash in the folds of the breasts, between the neckline, or under the arms. To avoid mineral salts, the ideal is not to wear it for a long time if it is sweaty. It is advisable to wash it after training and whenever it smells bad.
An odor can indicate that sweat has saturated the material or that bacteria are growing on it. If we don’t sweat a lot and haven’t exercised, we can use it several times before putting it in the washing machine. It’s also helpful to choose fabrics that breathe or wick away moisture. Especially if we are prone to rashes or breakouts, 100 percent cotton is best.
Wearing a sports bra that is too tight opens the door to many other skin problems. Among them: irritant dermatitis, a rash caused by repetitive rubbing; and mechanical acne, pimples induced by heat and rubbing. People with sensitive skin or who tend to get acne or eczema are at higher risk for reactions related to sports bras.
Can they be used while breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding mothers who wear bras need to keep in mind something very important. If the sports bra is too tight or we wear it at night, it can cause a drop in milk supply . It can put too much pressure on your milk ducts, blocking or slowing your milk flow.
Not only can the baby drink less, but it can also sabotage the health of the breasts. The accumulated milk can create a plugged duct, which manifests as a tender, red and swollen area of the breast. Chronic plugged ducts can lead to mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue. If left untreated, it could lead to a breast abscess. Along with soreness and redness in the breasts, mastitis often causes fever-like symptoms.
But you don’t have to ditch the sports bra entirely. If the sports bra fits you well, you can wear it all day, although you shouldn’t sleep in it . In addition to a good fit, we’ll look for a sports bra designed specifically for nursing mothers.
Breathable fabric with an easy-to-use flap or hook for easy access to the breasts is good. The bra should not be too tight or underwired. It should also be changed if it is damp or sweaty while nursing, to avoid a possible yeast infection under the breasts.
Can you sleep in a sports bra?
Unless you’re breastfeeding or have skin problems, experts agree that it’s okay to sleep in a sports bra. But to be safe, we may prefer to put on a new one before going to sleep. Wearing the same bra day and night can lead to rashes and fungal infections.
And consider switching to a less restrictive style that allows you to breathe easy while you sleep. We will consider one with light compression, or a slightly compressive camisole that has a built-in bra.
Signs that it doesn’t fit
If any of the following is true for you, it’s time to go shopping for a new sports bra:
- It is not comfortable or leaves red marks on the skin. The straps and band should be snug but not too tight.
- The underwire or lower band sits on the breast tissue, rather than on the rib cage. Try a different size or style.
- If we have an encapsulated or combination bra, there is a gap between the center front panel (between the breasts) and the skin. The fabric should lie flat against your breastbone.
- The breasts protrude from the sides or the top. If this happens, check that it is the correct size.
- It rises or moves forward when we raise our arms above our heads. This means we need a smaller bra.
- The fabric is wrinkled or there are gaps between the fabric and your skin. This indicates that the bra is too large.
- If you look in the mirror, the back of the band is higher than the front. It is advisable to reduce one size.
- The straps slide. One study found that wide, vertical straps were the most comfortable for people with large busts. If we have broad shoulders, a racer back may be better.
- Breasts hurt or bounce when we exercise. In that case, we may need more support or a different style.
How to put on a sports bra
Once we’ve nailed down the fit, we need to make sure we put it on correctly. Most people don’t know how to do it.
According to specialists, we must:
- Put a new sports bra on the loosest clip. Because they stretch with wear, we’ll get more life out of the bra if we start with the loosest fit and tighten it up over time.
- Hold down the band with one hand. With the other, lift each breast up and down toward the center of the cup so that all of your breast tissue is in the cup. Make sure the band is against the ribcage instead of the actual chest.
- Check the straps and adjust them if necessary.
