Going Braless: Is It Healthy or Harmful?

When you’re in maximum relaxation mode, chances are, you’re throwing on your favorite stretchy pants and tee shirt — and taking off your bra. No wires poking and prodding, no straps playing peekaboo or slipping down … what a glorious feeling!

But you might have heard that going braless can have a negative impact on your breast health. But is it true?

Breast health specialist Cassann Blake, MD, clears up a few myths about going commando up top.

Is it OK to go braless?

There are no health risks associated with going braless, Dr. Blake says.

“It’s OK to do whatever is comfortable for you,” she encourages. “If not wearing a bra feels good to you, that’s fine.”

It’s a very personal decision that all comes down to your comfort.

Considerations and potential challenges

To help you make an informed decision, Dr. Blake addresses some of the specific concerns that are sometimes associated with going braless.

Won’t cause sagging

Some people, including some healthcare providers, believe that without long-term support, breast sagging is inevitable. But Dr. Blake says there’s no evidence to show an association between the two.

“Wearing a bra doesn’t prevent your breasts from sagging, and foregoing one doesn’t cause your breasts to sag,” she reports.

Breast ptosis (the medical name for breast sagging) happens over time, as your skin naturally loses some of its elasticity. Factors known to play a role include:

• Age
• Breastfeeding
• Genetics
• Gravity
• Pregnancy
• Weight changes

Wearing a bra isn’t on that list. So, if you’ve been keeping your bra on for fear of a floppy future, feel free to finally say sayonara.

Won’t affect breast shape

Wearing a bra temporarily changes the shape of your breasts, offering support and constraint that redistributes the tissue differently. This is why a push-up bra gives you that instant perky boost. But when the bra comes off, your breasts will go back to their usual shape — and if you never wear a bra, that’s the way they’ll remain.

“Without the support that a bra provides, your breasts may look different, and your clothes may fit differently, too,” Dr. Blake points out. “But going braless won’t impact the actual shape of your breasts.”

Factors that do influence the shape of your breasts include:

• Age
• Genetics
• Hormones
• Weight

Could cause back pain

If you have large breasts, going braless may be uncomfortable and even painful. One study found that large cup sizes are associated with “up to 12-fold increased odds of pain” in back pain. Large breasts can also contribute to neck and shoulder pain.

“Back pain is often due to the weight of your breasts,” Dr. Blake explains. “You may find that you’re more comfortable wearing a bra because it helps alleviate or prevent that pain.”

Not related to breast cancer risk

There’s a persistent myth that claims that wearing a bra increases your risk of developing breast cancer. But it’s just that: A myth.

“Wearing a bra doesn’t impact your risk of breast cancer one way or another,” Dr. Blake confirms. “I’ve also been asked whether underwire bras specifically can affect someone’s breast cancer risk — and they do not.”

In 2014, for example, one study examined the bra-wearing habits of postmenopausal women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. It didn’t find any association between bra wearing and increased breast cancer risk.

In short, if a fear of breast cancer has been keeping you from wearing a bra, feel free to cast that worry aside!

Tips for wearing (or NOT wearing) a bra

Now that you know that going braless won’t affect your risk of sagging or developing breast cancer, it’s up to you to decide what you’re most comfortable with. And it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing!

“You can wear a bra some days and go braless other days,” Dr. Blake poses. “It’s all about your comfort level and won’t have any effect on your overall breast health.”

That said, if you’ve been considering going braless because you find bras uncomfortable or even painful, these suggestions may help.

1. Wear the right size

“It can be painful to wear the wrong size bra because it means the underwire isn’t sitting in the proper location,” Dr. Blake clarifies.

To prevent problems, she recommends getting professionally fitted for a bra at a department store or lingerie shop. And don’t forget to get refitted if your weight fluctuates.

“You may gain or lose weight and still try to wear your favorite bra,” she notes. “But by that point, the bra isn’t the right cup size or band length for you anymore.”

2. Match your bra to your activity level

Workouts are no match for your everyday bra. And the reverse is true, too: Super-supportive sports bras can feel constrictive if you’re just sitting at your desk all day.

“Purchase a bra with the right amount of support for the activity you’re doing,” Dr. Blake advises. “If you’re running, for example, you want a supportive bra like a sports bra that will minimize the motion of your breasts, especially if you wear a larger cup size.

“On the other hand, if you’re moving around a lot, you may be more comfortable in a bralette or a soft cup bra without an underwire.”

3. Prevent irritation and skin problems

Excess sweat, yeast or fungus can make wearing a bra extra uncomfortable. It can even lead to breast issues, like:

• Irritation
• Itchiness
• Skin discoloration
• Skin rashes
• Blisters

“When you wear a larger cup size, skin rubbing can occur along the inframammary fold, or the area under the breast crease,” Dr. Blake explains. “If you experience rubbing with moisture, you can develop a fungal infection.”

But you can avoid most of these problems by making sure your breasts are positioned correctly in your bra cups.

“Be mindful of your breast positioning, particularly during warmer months,” she continues. “You can also apply antiperspirant or even cornstarch under and between your breasts to decrease perspiration.”

4. Consider in-between options

“Bra” and “no bra” aren’t the only choices available to you. If you don’t want to fully commit in either direction, you have other options:

• Clothing with built-in bras, which provides a more in between degree of support
• Bandeaus, which offer full coverage with light support
• Adhesive bras and “boob tape,” which help lift and support breasts (especially when you’re wearing an outfit that doesn’t lend itself to a strappy bra)
• Nipple covers, which don’t provide any lift or support, but prevent your nipples from showing through your clothes

Ultimately, the choice is up to you.

“If you feel comfortable sans bra, feel free to go without,” Dr. Blake says. “But if you prefer to have a bra for every season and occasion, there’s nothing wrong with that either.”