Breast augmentation surgery is not for everyone. Many women, for various reasons (including personal health and body decisions, cost, or fear of possible risks), opt to forgo the surgery in favor of alternatives. While these alternatives have great limitations in permanence or size increase, they can be an all-natural solution to your problem.

There is an increasing number of special bras designed to enhance the size and shape of breasts. These include "wonder bras," water bras, padded bras and push-up bras. The best way to find a better bra is to go to a store that specializes in them and ask for suggestions. Salespeople at these stores can also assist in fitting you. Many women wear the wrong size bra, and getting a better-fitting bra can often create major improvements. It’s also a good idea to measure yourself first to have an idea of which bra sizes to try on. Here’s how:

• First, measure tightly around the torso, directly under the breasts. This is the frame size, or underband
  
• Next, add 5 inches if the frame size is an odd number, or 4 inches if even. Bras are generally available in band sizes separated by two inches, all labeled by even numbers
  
• Now, stand straight with arms to the sides (you’ll need help here) and measure loosely around the fullest part of the breasts to get the bust size
  
• The difference between the bust size and the underband size is the cup size, converted into a letter using this table:

Silicone gel breast forms
Often referred to as “falsies,” silicone inserts are nothing new. Years ago, women inserted often unnatural-looking foam or water-filled pads into their bras. Newer inserts, however, are made of silicone (similar to actual implants) and look and feel more like natural breasts.

A breast-enlarging system
The Brava® breast enhancement and shaping system is an alternative to breast augmentation. Consisting of two plastic domes held by a sports bra, the device pulls on the breast tissue, enhancing breast size by up to 100cc (or one cup size). This treatment, which costs about $2,500, has been proven to last for about a year. However, it is important to note the FDA has not chosen to review the Brava® at this time.

While no scientific data suggests that breast enhancement creams are effective in producing a significant increase in breast size, there are many such products on the market. They include Perfect Woman, Benefil, Breast Actives and St. Herb herbal breast serum, to name just a few.

Many of these creams contain liposome, which is said to increase breast tissue naturally and is claimed to yield visible increases in both size and weight. There are, however, no FDA-approved breast enhancement creams.

As with creams, there is no scientific data that suggests that over-the-counter pills or herbal supplements are effective in producing a significant increase in breast size. While some women may notice a slight increase from taking estrogen, it’s not recommended unless prescribed by your doctor for other reasons.

Many herbal pills claim to enhance breast size naturally, but just because the ingredients are “all-natural” doesn’t mean there aren’t risks.

Exercise is the cheapest and most natural method of breast enhancement. Weight lifting helps develop chest muscles, which can help project your breast. However, exercising cannot tighten your skin if it has lost elasticity from aging, smoking, breast feeding or tanning.

Push-ups are popular, easy exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home. They should be done at least three times a week to help improve breast projection and to also strengthen back muscles to improve posture (which will also help project your breasts).  

Also keep in mind that sometimes working out can cause a decrease in breast size as the body loses fat.

Caci Bust Treatment

Another alternative to surgery is the Caci Bust Treatment, which is meant to lift, tone and strengthen the muscles around the bust area.  Performed in certain beauty treatment centers or spas, the treatment uses a machine that sends electrical impulses deep to the breast tissue muscles, causing them to clench and lift. The results of this “lift” last for about five days.

The future could bring injectable fillers  

Newer, safer products comprised of stabilized hyaluronic acid or even polyacrylamide gel are being tested as possible injectible fillers. The idea is that they would work similarly to Botox injections, with just a couple of quick, relatively painless injections, giving almost the same results as more painful, expensive surgeries.

We are not medical professionals; the content of this website is intended to provide general information and advice. If you have questions of a medical nature, please seek advice from a qualified health care professional. For more information see Terms of Service/Usage Agreement

Learn More about Breast Augmentation at Info.com Topics.