Breast enlargement creams have been around for quite some time. However, they haven’t been able to replace surgical breast augmentation. And given how they are, this isn’t going to change either.
The problem with these “breast enhancing” lotions and creams is that they aren’t just harmless moisturisers; they pose a serious risk to your health.
And even though the scientific evidence on these creams is lacking, many manufacturers make false claims, some even going so far as to say that their product is FDA-approved. This is, of course, untrue.
Still, there are some people who’d say that these creams “worked” for them. Let’s find out how that happens.
How Does Breast Enlargement Cream Work?
Today’s breast enlargement creams claim to work in a variety of ways. Most breast enlargement creams, however, claim to work by utilising phytoestrogens – also known as plant oestrogen.
Keep in mind that oestrogen (produced by our bodies) is the hormone that influences the growth and development of breast tissue. However, it doesn’t allow for indefinite growth. In women, breasts usually stop growing after the age of 18.
Seeing how oestrogen influences the growth of breast tissue, breast enlargement creams claim to “re-stimulate” it through the use of phytoestrogens. These plant-based compounds essentially mimic or interfere with the actual hormone that our body produces.
There are many different plant-based extracts that are used for that. Usually, you’ll find the following in a breast enlargement cream:
- Wild yam
- Milk thistle
- Fenugreek
- Pueraria mirifica (kwao krua)
- Fennel
- Saw palmetto
- Kigelia africana
- Dong quai
- Black cohosh
- Dandelion
Other than these active ingredients, many creams also contain vitamins, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and coenzymes, along with other plant and fruit extracts for claimed “additional benefits;” these could be anywhere from moisturising the skin to providing fat cells in the breasts with nutrients.
Other Ways In Which Breast Enlargement Creams “Work”
Apart from the hormonal changes that these creams claim to induce, there are other mechanisms by which these creams supposedly work:
- Increased blood flow – Certain ingredients used in breast lotions are believed to work because they dilate the blood swells and increase blood flow to the breasts, which swells them up, making them look bigger (temporarily).
- Collagen production – Some cream manufacturers argue that breast enlargement is achieved through ingredients that stimulate the production of collagen in the breast skin.
- New Cell Production – According to some cream manufacturers, enlarged breasts are achieved by stimulating the production of new fat cells (so that breasts store more fat and appear bigger) or increasing the size of the existing ones. These may be marketed as “non-hormonal” creams.
Still, many consumers wonder if breast enlargement creams actually live up to the claims they make regarding their effectiveness.
Do Breast Enlargement Creams Really Work?
There are no creams or lotions that can increase the size of your breasts. Hormones indeed influence the growth of breast tissue. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, it’s not clear that phytoestrogens, in particular, enhance breast growth.
Moreover, there is no scientific evidence that these products are absorbed in significant enough concentrations when applied topically. So, those phytoestrogens might not have any effect on your breast tissue.
Several manufacturers claim that you’ll see results in as little as two weeks to two months by applying the cream 2-3 times a day. But this doesn’t end up happening.
Additionally, if there was a breast enlargement cream that worked just as well as breast implants, you’d likely see a lot of it and hear more about it (which is definitely not the case). So, these creams will only end up wasting your time and money for nothing.
Is It Safe To Use A Breast Enlargement Cream?
Breast enlargement creams have no scientific evidence of their long-term safety. Therefore, it cannot be said that they’re safe to use.
Also, keep in mind that no breast enlargement cream has been approved by the FDA. Cosmetic products don’t need to be FDA-approved before they go on the market.
Still, many manufacturers make false claims that their product is FDA-approved. If not, they’ll try to sell you on the idea that their cream was made in a facility approved by the FDA. Again, this may just be false advertising, so you have to be very careful.
Other than that, as far as safety concerns go, you also need to be cautious about the potential adverse effects of such creams. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people experience the following with the cream’s application:
- Burning sensation
- Tingling
- Tightening
- Rashes
- Irritation
- Itchiness
These side effects could be the result of an allergic reaction to the ingredients in the cream. In this case, make sure to get in touch with your doctor immediately.
Can Breast Enlargement Cream Cause Cancer?
According to the National Cancer Institute, oestrogen and progesterone are associated with breast cancer risk.
When women are exposed to high levels of oestrogen for a long time, the risk of breast cancer increases. As a result, the plant oestrogen in breast enlargement creams may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Remember, there’s no scientific evidence on the long-term safety of these creams. So, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before using breast enlargement creams.
What About Breast Enlargement Supplements, Pumps, Massages & Exercise?
In the same vein as breast enlargement creams, you’ll also find breast enlargement supplements and pumps.
On supplements, the Mayo Clinic says that these “aren’t likely to work.” Additionally, it warns of side effects and dangerous drug interactions.
Other than that, electric breast enlargement pumps (for example, the BRAVA system) have also been around for quite some time now. However, they too are just as ineffective as creams and supplements.
These can make your breasts look big for a short while because of the suction pressure and swelling, but those results won’t last. So, these machines are definitely not worth the thousands of dollars they cost.
Additionally, it’s been claimed that breast massages can help “enhance” their size by increasing blood flow to the breasts.
Probably, for this reason, massages are included in some breast enlargement creams’ application instructions. But again, it’s not true that massages can enlarge your breasts.
And lastly, chest exercises are believed to enhance bust size. The idea is that working out the chest will build up the pectoralis muscles. And this will make the boobs look bigger. The truth is, there’s no guarantee this will happen.
Remember, exercise burns fat. And the fat in your breasts largely determines how big they are. So, exercising can actually reduce breast size by burning fat in the breasts.
What Are The Alternatives For Breast Enlargement Creams?
If you want to increase the size of your breasts, an experienced medical professional is likely to recommend you the following:
- Fat Grafting: In this, fat is taken from one part of the body (thighs, abdomen) and transferred to the breasts. While this works, you might need multiple sessions of this treatment, and your body will lose some of the fat eventually.
Breast Implants: Implants are the most popular way to enhance the volume of the breasts, and they can last from 10 to 20 years. However, since this is the most invasive way of increasing breast size, the recovery can take a little longer than other techniques.
Vampire breast lift is another technique that’s considered a non-surgical alternative to breast augmentation. PRP injections are used for this, but the results of this treatment are also not that significant.
Make sure to discuss your needs and expectations with a board-certified plastic surgeon so that they can prepare a suitable treatment plan for you.
Conclusion
Breast enlargement creams are nothing but a gimmick. There’s no guarantee that they’ll give you any actual long-term results. They also have a lot of safety concerns.
Some of the breast creams may slightly puff up your breasts (probably by increasing blood flow to the tissue), but this effect will be temporary.
Other products in the same line as creams, such as pumps, massages, and supplements, are also ineffective. And exercise for your chest can reduce the size of your bust rather than increase it.
Implants and fat grafting is the only effective way to increase the size of your breasts. If you want to achieve that, it’s best to consult a medical doctor.
Reviewed and approved by Prof Dr Fuat Yuksel
