Do All Natural Breast Enhancement Vitamins Work?
It’s no surprise that pills, creams, ‘vacumn bras’ and other purportedly “all-natural” breast-enlarging solutions are as widespread as they are. It’s also very tempting to believe that they work, especially when you consider that many women are uncomfortable with the idea of committing to the expense and the surgical aspect of a breast augmentation procedure.
So what should you believe? Will they leave you busting out or just busting your bucks?
No FDA Approval Required
The first red flag about the supposedly breast-enhancing vitamins flooding the market these days is the fact that they are not—nor are they required to be—FDA-approved. According to FDA.gov, these vitamins are considered to be dietary supplements, not drugs, which means that although their manufacturers have to list the ingredients they contain on the package label, the FDA does not do anything to investigate the safety (or effectiveness) of the vitamins before they go on the market.
Unsubstantiated Claims
Equally as problematic is the fact that breast-enlarging vitamins and creams have not been proven to work. In her medical journal article on “bust enhancing” herbal products, Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman found that none of the herbs found in these products are known to cause breast enlargement, and she concluded that their use should be discouraged, not only because their efficacy is unverified, but also because their long-term effects are unknown—and potentially unsafe.
Time-Consuming
With the Brava system—an external vacuum bra that applies suction pressure to the breasts to encourage tissue growth—the problem is not that the product doesn’t work, it’s that it’s difficult to use. According to MyBrava.com, the bra must be worn for at least 10 hours per day throughout the course of 10 to 14 weeks. The pump that creates the suction that enables the bra to work makes noise, and the bra is too big to hide under clothing, so those 10 or more hours likely have to be completed while the wearer is at home.
Inconvenient
The time commitment isn’t the only issue; according to a blog written by San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Usha Rajagopal, “Patients have told me that it’s difficult to wear; that the domes sometimes irritate the skin; and that they have had an allergic reaction to the material. I have had more than one patient come to me wanting breast implants six month after trying—and not liking—the Brava system.”
Reduced Effectiveness
Perhaps because of these issues, many women do not reap the rewards they expect from the Brava system. “Most women do not wear the bra for the time periods that they have to in order to see results and the average increase is very small—not even a cup size,” says New York plastic surgeon Dr. Darrick Antell, according to WebMD article “Next Wave of Implants.”
No Quick Fix
When it comes to breast enlargement, women who are looking for a quick, non-surgical fix are probably not going to find it. Breast-enhancing pills and creams that promise results have no research to back up their claims; and women who use the Brava system have to make a significant time commitment in order to achieve the results they desire, which, doctors say, many patients have difficulty doing.
About the Author
Dr. Usha Rajagopal is a board certified plastic surgeon with over 15 years of experience specializing in cosmetic surgery for men and women in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can visit her website at:
http://www.sfcosmeticsurgery.com