Is wearing a bra good or bad?

Is wearing a bra good or bad? This is certainly one of the questions that we women have asked ourselves at least once in our lives! Does wearing a bra have any benefits or contraindications?

The advantage of wearing a bra

Why is it good to wear a bra? It is known that the bra helps to fight (visually) the force of gravity. Clearly the support of an underwire bra is superior to that of a bralette or strapless bra. For greater support, push up bras with padded and close-set cups are suitable. Or the very low-cut balcony bra with separate cups that significantly lift the breasts thanks to the underwires.

The support of the bra is especially important for those with large breasts, as many studies have shown that wearing a bra is useful for the spine which will not have to support the weight of the breasts alone. In this case, it could also be beneficial to wear a bra (comfortable and without underwire) at night. Especially if you sleep on your stomach or on your side. The weight of the body actually falls on the breasts or on the side, which can cause a certain pressure and ultimately the appearance of stretch marks. In any case, a comfortable fit is very important, especially to avoid waking up in the morning with some pain or with parts of the body "asleep".

It's very good to wear a bra when doing sports and during pregnancy! In these situations (and only in these) it is really essential to wear a bra because the breasts make different efforts and movements than usual. And during pregnancy it grows much more. Obviously you need to wear specific models based on needs and situations.

As a lover of lingerie I obviously think that the bra is also a beautiful fashion accessory! Often so beautiful that you want to show it off, in fact for several years exposed underwear has been increasingly trendy even on the red carpet!

Guide to choosing a bra

Before choosing a bra it is important to underline that to experience maximum comfort you must first avoid models that are too tight. When the bra is very tight it prevents circulation around that area causing pain and little freedom of movement. Therefore it is very important to choose the right bra size!

Many women are convinced they know their size and have been wearing the same (wrong) one for 20 years or more! The body, however, changes over time, and so should the wardrobe and the bra itself. Having said this, it is therefore important to underline that bra sizes are calculated based on two measurements: the breast and the bust. It is precisely the combination of these two that determines the correct size. For example, if a bra has the right cup size but is too big in the back, it is best to opt for one that best summarizes the fit.

Furthermore, you must choose a fabric that is not too synthetic because synthetic/artificial fabrics (derived from petroleum) could increase the temperature of the breast tissue if worn for a long time. Which is not good for our health, that's why it's important to choose a good quality bra. The brands selected by me for my Ohlabra.com e-commerce are all ethical so the fabrics they use respect the skin and our health as much as possible.

In any case, experts advise us to wear a bra no more than 7/8 hours a day to allow the breasts to relax!

In any case, even if you get the wrong bra size, know that the bra could never be the cause of illness! Years ago there was a rumor that bras could be one of the risk factors for breast cancer. Nothing could be further from the truth! The theory was definitively disproved in 2014 by some researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle with a study published in the scientific journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention . The researchers confirmed that: the use of a very tight bra worn for a long period, both night and day, could only cause "lymph stasis resulting in soreness of the breasts and axillary cables", therefore nothing to do to do with breast cancer!

Contraindications of wearing a bra at night

Wearing a bra at night is not recommended!

The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons said that wearing a bra at night is harmful because it causes the ligaments that support the structure of the breast to weaken.

In terms of anatomy, it is important to evaluate the conditions that may arise around the chest area if you opt to use a bra even at night, especially if it is particularly tight. In the latter case, in fact, the blood flow to the breast and surrounding areas could be limited, which can cause pain in the arm or numbness. It should also be added that the presence of hooks, laces or other parts of the bra can rub even more when you turn over in bed at night, also causing serious irritation and skin rashes.

However, if you intend to sleep in a bra, just choose the right one. The best bras for sleeping are in fact made with soft and breathable materials, they do not have underwires, embellishments or other ornaments that could hurt during the night, therefore providing good support and at the same time offering greater freedom of movement.