Is It Bad To Sleep With A Bra On?
The choice of whether or not to sleep in a bra can be a pretty contentious topic. Many people believe it can be harmful to your health, whereas others say it’s more comfortable and allows them to get a better night’s sleep. Among the opinions, is there any truth to the idea that sleeping in a bra is bad for you?
Are There Any Side Effects Of Sleeping In A Bra?
According to science, there isn’t any evidence to suggest that sleeping in a bra has any specific side effects you should be worried about. While you may have heard that sleeping in a bra can cause sagging or prevent breast growth, there is no medical proof to support these claims.
Because of this, whether or not you choose to wear a bra should be based on your personal preferences, rather than these unsubstantiated fears.
So is there anything to be aware of when making your decision? Well, although sleeping in a bra isn’t necessarily harmful, the way you do it could lead to some issues. For example, people often sweat more during the night when they’re wrapped up in their duvet or blankets, particularly in summer. If you’re wearing a thick, padded bra, the heat won’t escape as easily, which could lead to sweat building up on your skin, which could cause irritation.
Additionally, you shouldn’t wear a very tight bra, as this may restrict circulation to some extent, as well as causing discomfort. This advice applies to the daytime too, but while a tight bra may be painful or annoying in the daytime, at night it might affect the quality or duration of your sleep.
Does Sleeping In A Bra Cause Breast Cancer?
As previously mentioned, there is no scientific proof to suggest that sleeping in a bra has any effect on your likelihood of developing breast cancer. However, there’s also nothing to say that sleeping with a bra on reduces your risk of breast cancer, so regardless of what you choose to wear at night, you should continue to check your breasts on a regular basis.
Should You Sleep With A Bra On?
We’ve established that there aren’t any major drawbacks to sleeping with a bra on, but what about the benefits? The main advantage is the same one you get from wearing a bra during the day: the support. Many women with larger breasts find sleeping can be uncomfortable or even painful without wearing a bra, which can lead to insomnia and general fatigue.
Some people believe that wearing a bra at night can prevent sagging in the long term, but like the other bra-related beliefs we’ve addressed above, there is no evidence to support this. Breast sagging is a natural part of aging and can be exacerbated by certain experiences such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and hormonal changes. While there are things you can do to reduce breast sagging, wearing a bra at night isn’t one of them.
The Best Bras For Sleeping In
Now that we know wearing a bra to sleep is neither harmful nor hugely beneficial, let’s take a look at which bras are best for sleeping in. Not all bras are created equal, and different styles, materials, and fits have different applications in your day-to-day life.
Breathable fabric is ideal for clothing worn close to the body, as it allows your skin to cool and helps to reduce the build-up of sweat and grime. Wearing a breathable bra may also help you to sleep better if you don’t like to get too hot at night, which can make your days easier as well.
Tight-fitting bras can cause irritation and even restrict your circulation - a big no-no when you’re trying to relax. If you wear push-up bras or similar bras during the day, these are often form-fitting and can be uncomfortable if you wear them all day and all night. Opt for a looser design such as a t-shirt bra to maintain a good level of support while being less restrictive for your breasts.
When you’re trying to get comfortable in your bed at night, the last thing you want is a metal underwire pressing against your ribs. Non-wired bras offer a similar level of support along with greater comfort, allowing you to get snug and cosy for a more restful night’s sleep.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to choosing a bra to sleep in is that it’s best to wear a different bra from the one you’ve been in all day. This applies even if you’ve already been wearing a loose-fitting breathable t-shirt bra. Even if you’ve just put on a sports bra for a quick workout, putting on a different one for sleeping will help you to feel cleaner and more refreshed. During the day, your bra will accumulate sweat, oils, and bacteria from your skin. Wearing a different bra at night helps to reduce problems associated with the build-up of these substances.
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/sleeping-in-bra
https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/breast-health/is-it-bad-to-wear-bra-to-sleep
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/causes/