Types of breasts: characteristics, recommended bras and clarified questions

The breasts have the primary function of producing milk, but they are also related to the female appearance. And like other parts of the body, they have specific particularities in each woman. Some more common characteristics, however, allow to reach a classification of types of breasts, as well as it is possible to cite, in general, which are the main types of areolas and nipples.

types of breasts

Maiéve Corralo (CRM 52803880), a member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery and the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgery), comments that the most common shape of natural breasts is with superior concavity and inferior convexity, that is, without much projection of the breast. top pole. The professional explains that younger patients usually have firmer breasts and, therefore, with greater projection of the upper pole. “Over time, the mammary gland is replaced by fat and is deposited in the lower pole with a softened consistency and losing its shape, becoming droopy”, she explains.

It is worth remembering that the breasts of each woman have their particularities, but it is possible to classify, briefly, the main formats and their characteristics in:

• Round breasts: They are full at the top and bottom, creating a well-balanced appearance. This type of breast usually has a good distribution of tissue and fat and, therefore, is usually firmer. Round breasts can be more or less voluminous, if the breasts are small, for example, you can choose models with cups; if they are voluminous, the bra can be common. In any case, any bra model is well suited to this type of breast.
• “East-West” Breasts: When the nipples are not properly aligned in front of the body, appearing to “look” to opposite sides, and there is significant space between the breasts. Triangle bras are interesting because they help to make the breasts more centralized and uniform.
• Separated breasts: they are also called lateral or spaced, precisely because they have a greater space between them. The plunge bra, which has a deep neckline, forming a U or V between the breasts, or models with closure in the front enhance this type of breast.
• Asymmetrical breasts: practically all women have some asymmetry in their breasts, however, there are cases where the difference between one breast and another is more evident. The models of bras with removable cups are interesting for this type of breast because you can keep the cup on only one side.
• Bell-shaped breasts: when the breasts are thinner at the top and become fuller at the bottom. Well-structured bras with wide straps are the best option, especially for women with larger breasts.
• Slender breasts: these are thin-shaped breasts, longer than they are wide, which can create a sagging appearance. Structured and padded bras are a great option, as they provide volume and give the impression of lifting the breasts.
• Drop-shaped breasts: when the breasts are more voluminous at the bottom than at the top but are more rounded, unlike bell-shaped breasts. This breast shape is often enhanced with bras that offer good support.

In general, highlights Maiéve, glandular breasts, firmer, look good with any type of bra; flaccid breasts benefit from the use of padded and supportive bras; very voluminous breasts, on the other hand, benefit from the use of a bra with wider support straps.

types of areolas

The areolas are that circular area around the nipples that, together with them, form the areola-papillary complex. Thais Santarossa (CRM 125166), mastologist and service provider at Hospital América de Mauá, points out that it is not possible to speak of a pattern for the nipple-areolar complex – which can be, in short, large or small, dark or light.

Maiéve also reinforces that areolas have different sizes and shapes. “Usually patients with phototype 1 and 2 have pink areolas; higher phototypes tend to have brown areolas. During pregnancy, the areolas tend to increase in size and darken”, he explains.

types of nipples

Nipples also have their particularities and can be classified, basically, into:

• Normal: when the nipples are prominent.
• Flats: when the nipples are neither “in” nor “out”.
• Inverted: when they are turned “inwards”.

Maiéve also comments that nipples can be large or small, depending on the particularities of each woman.

Professionals clarify doubts about breasts

Talking about types of breasts goes far beyond the aesthetic issue because, it is worth remembering, a woman’s breasts are responsible for breastfeeding the baby. For all this, it is common for doubts to arise on the subject. See below for clarification on the main questions:

What are breasts made of? “The breast is a specialized sweat gland, formed by adipose tissue (fat), glandular tissue (where we have ducts and lobules), blood and lymph vessels, and skin (which is the protection of the breast)”, Thais answers.

Is it normal for breasts to be asymmetrical? “Breast asymmetry can be common as it occurs in other parts of the body, which are never exactly the same, however, if the difference is very accentuated, you should look for a specialist”, explains Thais.

Why is the beak inverted? Could this cause problems? “Many times there is a congenital malformation that causes the inversion of the nipple, however, if the nipple was normal and becomes inverted, we should look for the mastologist, as it may be due to the appearance of a lump or breast retraction. Nipple inversion can bring difficulties in breastfeeding, but each case must be analyzed with its particularities”, explains Maiéve.

Can plastic surgery solve breast asymmetry? Maiéve remembers that there is always some asymmetry in the breasts, as well as in the whole body and face. “Plastic surgery proposes to reduce the difference, but complete symmetry is something almost impossible”, he highlights.

What are the main reasons that lead women to undergo plastic surgery on their breasts? “The biggest complaint in relation to the breasts is flaccidity with ptosis (sagging breasts) that require mastopexy (removal of excess skin), a surgery that can be performed with or without the use of prostheses. Another common complaint is very heavy and bulky breasts that cause pain in the spine and difficulty in physical activity, in this case we recommend reduction mammaplasty. For women who are uncomfortable with small breasts, the indication is breast augmentation, which can be performed with silicone or fat implants”, explains Maiéve.

Do different types of breasts influence women’s lives? “From an aesthetic point of view, breasts are linked to a woman’s self-esteem. Therefore, if a certain characteristic causes you a lot of discomfort, it can harm your quality of life and even your relationships. In addition, very heavy breasts, for example, can cause difficulty in physical activities and back pain”, explains Maiéve.

It is worth emphasizing that one person’s breasts will never be completely the same as another’s. Size and shape of the breasts, color and shape of the nipple-areolar complex vary according to each patient, making it very difficult to speak of unique patterns. The most important thing is that the breasts do not cause physical discomfort and that the woman feels good about hers. Also clarify your doubts about mastopexy.