Almost every woman has, at one time or another, worried about the size or the shape of her breasts. From teenagers concerned about late development to older women worrying about age and gravity taking their effect, it is a common issue which can have a significant effect on a woman’s body image. Whilst there are various steps you can take to improve the appearance of your bosom on a day to day basis, if you are significantly unhappy about your breasts you may consider surgery as an option.

Breasts and Self-Esteem

Women who are considering breast augmentation surgery are often asked why; one of the most common answers is “to feel better about myself”. So why are the breasts so important to a woman’s self esteem?

Some might argue that the modern media’s portrayal of women is to blame, as we are constantly bombarded with images of the “perfect” body, which creates a pressure upon women to conform. However, it is far from a new phenomenon. Throughout the centuries, many methods have been employed to modify the appearance of the breasts and cleavage; from breast bands worn by the ancient Romans to the corsets of the 16th century and onwards. In times past, noble women would even hire wet nurses to breastfeed their children for them in order to avoid changes to their figure. Society has always exerted a pressure on both men and women to conform to current standards of beauty, and it seems unlikely that this will ever change.

The basic fact is that the breasts are essentially feminine; they are the most noticeable change that girls go through at puberty and thus they symbolise a large part of female identity – that you are a woman.

Small breasts can therefore lead to some women feeling that they are less feminine than others; feeling unfeminine can mean feeling unsexy and this can be very damaging to self esteem. Push-up bras, “chicken cutlet” inserts and other kinds of padding can only go so far, and if the option of augmentation surgery can provide relief it’s well worth considering.

The Search for “Perfection”

One thing that it is important to stress is that there is really no such thing as physical perfection; even with the influence of the media, no two people will ever have exactly the same standards of beauty. What one person may view as the ultimate in attractiveness may have no appeal whatsoever to another; beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

Secondly, we must understand that body image and self-esteem are inextricably linked; if you are unhappy with your body, it can be very difficult to feel good about yourself.

If you want to improve your self-esteem, then, improving your body to match your standards of beauty is a good step. This can mean exercising more to lose weight, it can mean undertaking beauty treatments to improve the tone and texture of your skin and it can include surgery.

There are many reasons why you may be unhappy with your breasts. Some women may simply not develop much when they go through puberty, resulting in breasts that are particularly small. Others may develop unevenly – and while nature generally does not issue perfectly symmetrical breasts, a significant difference can not only have an odd appearance but also make it very difficult to find well-fitted clothing. In other cases, women may find that their breasts have changed, and they are no longer happy with their appearance.

Dealing with Changes

Breasts do naturally change over the years; pregnancy and breastfeeding, changes in weight and, yes, age can all contribute to a change in the size and shape of the bosom. Even more drastic changes are experienced by women who need to undergo mastectomies, which often severely undermine the patient’s sense of femininity.

Such changes are not always welcome, and are often difficult to embrace. Particularly drastic changes can result in feeling that you are not really yourself anymore, so it is natural to want to regain your original, natural appearance.

Here at the Aesthetic Skin Clinic, we have an expert team to advise you on the available options to help you feel happy about your body; from breast augmentation, reduction and reshaping to hair transplants in the UK, we offer a wide range of treatments so that you can feel beautiful and confident. For more information on any of our services, or to book a consultation, simply contact us today.