BOOST YOUR BUST... WITHOUT SURGERY
Breast implant surgery is one of the world's most common cosmetic surgical procedures. Women may want a larger bust or wish to improve the shape of their breasts. Breast augmentation can be a life-changing experience, drastically boosting a woman's self-esteem and confidence. But it isn't necessary to go under the knife: there are alternative procedures available that are worth trying and are a less risky option. Installing saline or silicone breast implants may be safer than ever due to improvements in materials, but undergoing surgery is never risk-free. Breast implant surgery can also be far too expensive for women who simply cannot afford to pay for surgery. Supplements, creams, exercise and diet may help firm breasts but are highly unlikely to increase their size. The good news is that there are two products that aim to do just that.
MACROLANE
Macrolane is a cosmetic filler that has been on the UK market since early 2008. Stabilised hyaluronic acid is injected into the breasts to give volume and enhance the bust. Hyaluronic acid is found throughout the human body, so using Macrolane is a natural, non-permanent way to shape breasts. The procedure only requires a local anaesthesia and can take as little as 30 minutes to complete. The initial treatment of injections typically costs from £1500 to £2000. Effects last for around 12 months and patients would need to get an annual top-up jab. Expect to pay roughly £1000 for each of these follow-up visits. It is the cost of these additional treatments that make Macrolane an expensive alternative to breast implant surgery. If a patient used Macrolane long-term, the price would add up to quite a considerable sum. However, the results are immediate and natural-looking with only mild possible side effects. It is considered by many medical experts to be safer than having breast implants.
BRAVA
The Brava Breast Enhancement and Shaping System has been around for nearly 10 years and retails at around £800. It is a vacuum bra made of two semi-rigid domes containing a minicomputer called a SmartBox. This device creates and regulates the tension inside the domes, encouraging breast tissue to grow. The Brava has to be worn all day, every day for at least three months for any tissue growth to be noticeable. Results vary from woman to woman, but Brava is ideal for those wanting a one-cup enhancement, as this is the typical result if used correctly. There are some restrictions to who can use this product. It is not designed to be used by women who have a cup size larger than a B. Women who have very sensitive skin should avoid using this system. Pregnant women are not advised to try it either. It is unclear whether results will enlarge breasts permanently, as it seems to depend on the user. However, this vacuum bra is one of the safest breast enlargement products out there, as the only common side effects are skin rashes and irritation, due to to the need for the system to be worn almost constantly.
