Breast lift: what alternative solutions?

Are there any alternatives to breast lift surgery?

Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, is a procedure aimed at reshaping the breasts to give them a firmer appearance. But are there alternatives to this surgical intervention? Discover the essentials.

Published on August 28, 2025, by Lilia, Scientific Editor — 8 min of reading

What is a mastopexy (breast lift)?

Breast ptosis refers to the sagging of the breasts. This phenomenon is a natural consequence of ageing. It is characterised by a descent of the mammary gland and laxity of the skin, resulting in the nipple being positioned lower relative to the inframammary fold, along with a loss of firmness and shape of the breast.

The primary aim of a breast lift, or mastopexy, is to firm and elevate breasts that have become drooping or sagging. These changes may arise after pregnancy, breastfeeding or rapid weight fluctuations. Mastopexy is performed by a plastic surgeon and is not intended to address any health concern. Indeed, a breast lift is an aesthetic procedure primarily designed to improve the patient’s well-being and comfort.

The main minimally invasive alternatives to breast lift surgery.

Although a facelift is generally a safe cosmetic surgery, it carries minor medical risks (bruising, swelling) or major ones (infection, necrosis, anaesthetic complications), as well as the possibility of unsatisfactory results. This is why some people seek other, less invasive alternatives. There are several options to improve skin laxity, such as thread lifts, radiofrequency or hyaluronic acid injections.

Tension threads for mild to moderate skin laxity.

The first less invasive alternative to a breast lift is tension thread lifting. This method involves tension threads that act as neocollagenesis inducers: they gradually stimulate the production of collagen. These are very fine threads with small barbs that enable them to grasp and sustain tissues more effectively. These threads are inserted under the skin using fine needles or cannulae. Although the basic principle remains the same, there are different types of tension threads. The barbed threads are tension threads equipped with tiny projections that catch onto the subcutaneous tissues. Once placed, they provide immediate lift, gently reinforcing the skin’s structure. They are particularly suited to mild to moderate sagging. The cone threads are tension threads fitted with small cones that anchor into the tissues to exert a more intense lift than barbed threads. They distribute tension evenly and are better suited to pronounced skin laxity or a more marked lifting effect.

However, certain side effects may occur, such as bruising, localised oedema, temporary discomfort in the treated areas and, more rarely, asymmetry or transient visibility of the sutures beneath the skin.

Radiofrequency: a technique utilising electromagnetic waves.

Then radiofrequency is an alternative that does not require a facelift. Indeed, radiofrequency involves using electromagnetic waves to heat the skin and subcutaneous tissues deeply. The aim is to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. The waves penetrate the dermis without damaging the epidermis. The heat induces an instant contraction of collagen fibres, resulting in a tightening effect visible from the first session. It also activates the fibroblasts, promoting the production of collagen and elastin, for progressively firmer skin. There is a minimally invasive technique combining two energies, radiofrequency and helium gas in its ionised form (plasma, the fourth state of matter). For this, a radiofrequency current is delivered through a fine probe inserted beneath the skin. This current ionises a flow of helium, an inert gas, to create cold plasma. This plasma, combined with the controlled heat of the radiofrequency, precisely allows heating the subcutaneous tissues without burning the epidermis and enables an instant contraction of the tissues, thereby stimulating the fibroblasts that synthesise collagen and elastin.

A study conducted on 15 female patients evaluated the improvement in breast laxity 180 days after helium plasma radiofrequency treatment, performed under sedation with tumescent infiltration and three incisions per breast. The procedure was carried out in the intradermal and subdermal planes, without contacting the mammary gland, with up to six passes applied. Improvement was assessed in a blinded manner by three independent evaluators using before-and-after photographs, yielding a success rate of 73% at 180 days and 67% at 90 days. Secondary endpoints included reduction of breast ptosis, morphometric measurements, aesthetic improvement scores (I-GAIS and P-GAIS), as well as a subjective evaluation via the Breast-Q scale and a patient satisfaction questionnaire. All patients reported improvement at each follow-up point. At 180 days, 66.7% rated themselves as “very improved” and 33.3% as “noticeably improved,” findings confirmed by the investigators. Perceived improvement continued to increase over time.

However, the limited number of patients included does not allow for any significant confirmation of this technique’s efficacy in improving breast laxity. To validate these findings, the study must be replicated on a larger sample and the repeatability of the experiment verified.

The most common side effects of radiofrequency are redness, a sensation of warmth, mild swelling or transient skin sensitivity after the session, generally resolving within 24 to 72 hours.

Hyaluronic acid injections to reduce breast laxity.

The method of gel injection of hyaluronic acid to improve breast laxity involves injecting the gel directly into the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the breast to enhance volume, firmness and skin tone. The aim is to improve skin elasticity and reduce the sagging appearance of the breast without resorting to invasive surgery, providing a subtle reshaping or volumising effect. The gel acts as a filler by retaining water and hydrating the tissues, while stimulating collagen production around the injection sites, which improves skin quality and structure in the medium term.

The procedure uses microneedles or fine cannulas to inject the gel into the deep dermis or subcutaneous tissue, without contacting the mammary gland; the volume and injection sites are tailored to the degree of laxity and the aesthetic objectives. This technique offers the advantage of being minimally invasive, leaving no scars, with rapid visible results and progressive improvement. However, its effects are temporary, generally lasting six to twelve months depending on the formulation used, and it does not replace a surgical breast lift in cases of significant ptosis. The risks are minimal but may include bruising, mild inflammation or the formation of nodules. This method is therefore an attractive non-surgical option for enhancing breast tone and appearance in cases of mild to moderate laxity.

A study carried out on 194 patients showed that injections of a hyaluronic acid–based gel achieved a satisfactory improvement in breast shape with a good level of patient satisfaction. Adverse events were reported in 21% of patients, predominantly minor and transient. Perceived efficacy remained high for up to 12 months. Nevertheless, long-term monitoring is required, particularly to evaluate any potential associations with breast cancer.