Breast Forms FAQs

BREAST FORMS FAQS

Here are some common questions that you may be wondering about with regards to your new breast forms.

What is a breast form?

A breast form is a prosthesis worn either inside a bra or attached to the body to simulate the weight, bounce, feel, movement, and especially shape of the natural female breast. Depending on the material or shape used, these qualities can be achieved to different degrees. More expensive modern breast forms, such as our born again breasts and creme de la creme breasts, are designed by computers and can even be attached to the chest. They can be worn with strapless dresses and lingerie, sleeping (though not recommended for most types of silicone breasts) or even during strenuous activity.

What kind of Breast Forms should I get?

The predominant material used in the more expensive commercial breast forms is silicone gel inside a very thin, slick plastic shell with tapered edges. Other materials such as rubber/latex, foam, or cotton batting are sometimes used. Here are the main qualities of each of the types of materials used to help in deciding if a certain material is right for you.

Silicone

Good Points The material gives the form a comparable weight, movement and feel of a natural breast. The silicone can be coloured; many forms of this type are available in a variety of shades to match skin tone. Realistic nipples and areolas can also be produced. The material of this type of form warms to your body temperature and feels very comfortable. Silicone can be whipped with air to produce forms just as realistic, yet are much lighter to wear. It is NOT the same material that was used in breast implants. It is similar, but the main problem with silicone implants came from their use INSIDE the body. Even if a breast form is punctured, the contents can not be absorbed through the skin. Bad Points Many silicone forms come in only 1-3 color shades. While this is still more shades than any of the other material options, people are not limited to just a few different colors. People's skin shades even differ with the season and the amount of sun their skin receives...a silicone form can not adapt to these changes. Even given the variety of shapes, sizes and styles of silicone breast forms, you may not be able to find the right match for an existing breast. Built-in or attachable nipples will not react to temperature changes (become erect) like a real nipple will, so, all other things being equal, there may be some external visual differences between a silicone form and an existing breast in certain circumstances.

Rubber/Latex

Cheaper alternative to silicone, while still retaining some of the qualities of silicone that make it so desirable. While still having some of the qualities of silicone to a certain degree, rubber/latex can not dare to match the weight, feel or movement of even the cheapest silicone forms. Some people are allergic to rubber or latex.

How long can I expect my breast forms to last?

Many silicone forms have 2 year warranties, and you should be able to get at least that much life out of one. Be sure to inspect your forms regularly for any defects that might develop within the warranty period. Silicone forms may split their outer envelope seams, wrinkle or develop internal bubbles, while fiberfilled or foam forms may change their shape, decay, crease or become compressed. The lifespan involved is dependent again on how much the form is worn.

How do I Choose The Right Breast Forms For Me?

If you have a small frame, probably A or B cup will suit you; medium frame B to C cup; and a large frame D to DD cup. There are no hard and fast rules so you can be as small or as large as you are comfortable with, depending on your lifestyle. A larger cup size gives you a much more buxom look.

But remember that you can be whatever size you want to be!

Form Fitting Made Easy Measure around your rib cage, underneath your breasts, where the band of your bra sits. Make sure to pull the tape snug and keep it flat against your back. Add 5 to this number (if you end up with an odd number, round up to the closest even number). This number is your bra size. Example: 29 inches +5 = size 34. Measure around the fullest part of your breast, again keeping the tape snug, but not tight, and parallel to the rib-cage line. If this measurement is an odd number, round up to the next even number. Example: 37 inches rounds up to 38. To determine your cup size, subtract the first measurement from the second. You can only get bra band sizes in even number only (e.g. 36, 38, 40). If you measure 38" your bras band size will be 38 or 40. Please note this is a guideline only. If you have a bra and are unsure of your size. Then choose the breast form style you want, send us your height, weight, band, and cup size of the bra you have and we will choose breast forms to match.

Do I need a special bra to wear a breast form?

This depends usually on the fashions you wish to wear while using your form, but for a more seamless look, a full coverage bra will be better suited to a breast form. Most breast form manufacturers also carry special lines of bras that contain a pocket that the form can be placed in to reduce movement of the form while worn. Bras with pockets also give you a layer of fabric between the form and your body - diminishing potential allergy/sensitivity problems. The more support offered, the better the fit, since there will be less chance for the form to move in the bra. Bras with underwires tend to work better than those with just elastic because they offer better support for the form (the same reasoning that applies to natural breasts). Push-up bras, on the other hand, will generally not work with breast forms, since they need to push something FROM someplace that it is attached. Unless the form is attached to the chest, this type of bra will have no chance to create the desired effect of enhanced cleavage.

How to fit a bra

The fullest part of the bust should fall approximately at the middle point between shoulder and elbow. If the bra has a horizontal seam it should be parallel to the ground. (If the seam goes up from horizontal, the straps are too tight; if it goes down, the straps are too loose.) Lean forward to let the breasts fall into the cups and fasten the closure to the MIDDLE set of fasteners.

A badly fitting bra.

The bottom band should ride snug but comfortable across the middle of the back and pass under the shoulder blades thus providing the necessary support. It too should be parallel to the ground. If the bottom band is too loose, it will ride up your back. Properly fitting bras should be primarily supported by the bottom/chest band, not just the shoulder strap. If shoulder straps dig in, the bra size is probably wrong. The bra cups should be large enough to give you necessary coverage and depth for your each of your breasts. If the breasts are bulging from their cups at the tops/sides or underwires are standing off your chest, the cup size is probably too small. If the cup is not big enough, some breast tissue may spill out, providing inadequate support. A good fit - the breasts fit into the cups completely with no bulges over the top, under the arms, or out the bottom. Adjust the shoulder straps to give firm but comfortable uplift to the bustline. You should be able to run one finger smoothly under the shoulder straps to prevent them from digging in to the shoulders. The shoulder straps should be vertical, front and back. Straps not vertical indicate wrong size or a poor construction. It explains straps falling off the shoulder in normal use or cutting into shoulders. Underwires should lie flat against your chest/rib cage and should not chafe or rub together.

Breast Forms FAQs