There are some women who embrace the aging process whole heartedly and present themselves au naturél. The rest of us want to stay looking young from head to toe as long as possible. And that includes our breasts! Just like the skin under our eyes and chins, we want our breasts to remain firm, beautiful and free of tiny lines and wrinkles.

Women spend millions of dollars a year protecting their faces from premature aging, dryness and sun damage. Breasts need the same love!

Women’s Health Issues reports that the skin surrounding the breasts is thin and needs extra care. Just as women moisturize their faces (and necks), women also should moisturize their breasts with a firming cream that stimulates collagen and elastin growth, as well as offers UV protection. Moisturizers will keep breasts healthier and help prevent the skin from wrinkling and sagging.

A moisturizer formulated specifically for breasts is Skin Tight Breast Firming Lotion from Nourish Skin Care. This moisturizer tightens skin, and it lifts and defines the breasts. When moisturizing, you should also include the nipple area. They can get dry so use an emollient like Vaseline.

In addition to moisturizers, Our Vanity has some more suggestions for keeping those breasts booby-licious:

Hydro Massage - This is an effective remedy for premature breast skin wrinkling. Massage your breasts with a cool water sheet clockwise for 10 minutes paying special attention to axillary creases (that area in front of your armpit) and the area under your breasts. Also you can massage your breasts with frozen milk cubes. But remember that breast skin is very sensitive; therefore, massage moves should be tender.

Breast Skin Masks - These work like facial masks. Take some time once a week to treat your girls to one these rejuvenating masks!

Nourishing Mask – Combine one mashed banana, two drops of olive oil and apply to your breasts for 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water.

Refreshing Mask – Peel and mash an orange, blend it with a frothed egg white and apply the mixture to your décolleté, neck and shoulders. Cover with towel for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

Moisturizing Mask – Apply a grated fresh cucumber to your breast skin.

We want you to be good to your breasts, so in addition to moisturizing them, don’t forget to do a breast check while you’re at it! We want the girls healthy inside and out! J

Every year communities all over the country hold annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life runs. Relay for Life is a fundraiser that supports those who have fought cancer and won, remembers the ones that lost, and raises money for further cancer research.

According to The Wausau Business Directory the town of Merrill, Wis., is showing extra “support” for this year’s Relay for Life. Merrill is baring bras – hundreds of them – in support of the run. The city has a goal to hang 1,000 bras on the Center Avenue Bridge that crosses the Wisconsin River. Stringing 1,000 bras on a bridge isn’t something we see every day and can cause quite a stir, which is just what organizers are hoping. Not only are organizers wanting to attract more donations to the cause, but they’re also looking forward to showing off their revitalized downtown area. Amazing what the power of women’s lingerie can do, isn’t it?

You can support the Merrill’s Bras Across the Bridge and Race for the Cure by running the relay race, donating bras or stopping by the town’s Ye Old Sweet Shoppe on Main Street to take a guess at how many bras will be collected for $1 per guess. The closest guess wins a gift basket full of items donated by many of the town’s shops.

The Bras Across the Bridge display is Merrill’s way of focusing on breast cancer. Downtown businesses have decorated their front windows with bras and even messages about their personal cancer stories.

FOTO News reported that breast cancer survivor Sarah Litzer of Merrill had a double mastectomy and donated all of her bras to the cause. “I donated every single one of them,” she said. “It was kind of cathartic almost.”

According to FOTO News, the bras will be hung on the bridge July 29 and on display during the Relay for Life race on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4. After the race, the bras will go to the The Bra Recyclers, a company that distributes bras to women and girls in need. As if Merrill hasn’t given enough, what a perfect idea!

Merrill, CupCase Your Bras travel accessory supports your cause! What an inspirational town you are and we wish you success!

Breast cancer myths and rumors are endless and recently the rumor that sleeping in a bra can cause breast cancer has been circulating. Ever since the husband and wife team Singer and Grismaijer reported that bras cause cancer in the 1990s, breast health experts have been working to dispel this claim.

Well, you can breathe a sigh of relief because based on cancer research it looks like wearing your makeup to bed is more dangerous than sleeping in a bra. The American Cancer Society confirms “we do not know of any epidemiologic studies published in scientific journals that suggest bras directly contribute to breast cancer.” That includes bras with underwire, bras that don’t fit, or wearing a bra for too many hours a day. Wearing a bra has no link to cancer.

The Maurer Foundation understands that the myths can be rattling so it explains the theory and why it makes no sense. It was reported that underwire can cause pressure to the chest area causing toxins in the lymph system to be blocked. While this sounds like it makes sense, the cause of breast cancer has no link to the lymph system. Instead, breast cancer is believed to be blamed on gene mutations that lead to cells dividing suddenly and rapidly. The actual cause of the mutation is not known.

Need more reasons to doubt the claim that bras cause cancer? How about this: Men get breast cancer too. Also, breast cancer is older than bras! It is reported that breast tumors were detected as early as 1600 BC, but modern day bras weren’t sold until the mid-1930s.

The conversation reminds us of the signs of breast cancer and the obvious links to the disease.

Get a mammography every year after 40 years old, or younger depending on your family history. Look for the following when doing a breast exam:

• changes to breast shape or size
• breast dimpling, rash or other skin changes
• unusual or persistent breast pain
• nipple sores or discharge
• swelling or discomfit in armpit

Women’s risk factors include:

• personal and family history
• inheritance of mutations in the genes BRCA2, BRCA1 and CHEK2,
• exposure to female hormones (natural and administered)
• poor diet and inadequate exercise
• excessive alcohol consumption

So ladies, eat, sleep, jog, meditate, shower, whatever you want – all while wearing your bra! There is no evidence that your bra is bad for your health. Knowing that, maybe it’s time to order a few more CupCases for packing bras and bra protection! (Especially while the Charming Cheetah and Spot on Leopard are on sale through summer!)

For women, the only sure things in life are death, taxes and droopy boobs. Gravity grabs a hold of our breasts from the moment we outgrow our first training bra and it doesn’t let go until our breasts are hanging like pendulums. Boo!

Mother Nature gave us the ability to birth babies, handle stress and live longer than men, but she provided no natural support for our boobs, darnit! The average weight of a pair of breasts is 2 to 4 pounds and with no support, they will eventually sag.

Why oh why is this every woman’s fate? Is there something, anything, we can do to keep the girls up and perky?

One of our guilty pleasures (if you hadn’t noticed) is reading a certain British newspaper online. The Daily Mail is full of all kinds of “helpful” information, and they really lay stuff out there for you. They’re quite open with bodies, skin and no-holds-barred info. Here are a few tips from the Daily Mail on ways to help preserve our youthful breasts:

Genetics and size are factors in breast firmness. More connective tissue and glands usually means perky bosoms. Women with larger, heavier breasts will experience more stretching and pulling on the skin and ligaments, resulting in sagginess.

Maintain a healthy weight to prevent drooping. Gaining and losing weight causes the tissue in the breasts to thicken and then thin which will cause them to lose firmness.

Don’t blame nursing on your post-baby boobs. During pregnancy, milk glands in breasts expand and contract causing the changes in your breasts. Breastfeeding is very beneficial to babies and doesn’t affect a mother’s breasts.

Don’t smoke cigarettes. Smoking causes the skin to lose its collagen and elastin, which helps keep breasts firm. There you go, yet another reason not to smoke. How many more do women need?

Wear support when exercising. Running in particular causes boobs to bounce and that takes a toll on the girls.  Do them a favor and wear a high-quality, supportive sports bra.

Hormones cause changes in a woman’s breasts. During the menstruating years, breasts can retain water during every cycle causing a fluctuation in their size. After menopause, milk ducts and glands are no longer needed and begin to shrink, causing less firmness.

We know that our bodies will change as we age, but committing to a healthy lifestyle does have a positive impact. We’re feeling perkier already!

Done any water sports this summer? We’re betting that you’ve been handed a lifejacket that squished the girls flat as pancakes. No matter how you adjust the straps on the lifejacket, you just get smushed; otherwise, it’s too loose and unsafe.

Well, after a little research, we found that there are actual personal flotation devices, or PFDs, made to suit a woman’s body. We’ve compiled some great info for you ladies because the right size/fit is important if you happen to wear a lifejacket a lot and even more important for comfort if you have big breasts. (However, if your only choice is a one-size-fits-all lifejacket, please be sure to wear it to stay safe.)

The outfitter REI says when selecting a PFD, it should be snug and fit like a glove. You should still be able to move freely and the jacket shouldn’t chafe while you’re paddling or playing. To make sure you get the best fit, try a PFD while wearing what you plan to wear under the jacket. For example, if you’re paddling a canoe down the river, wear your paddling clothes to try on the PFD.

Here’s the good part: “Women should consider women-specific PFDs versus unisex styles. Women’s PFDs may offer a better fit thanks to princess seams, contoured cups for larger bust lines and styles made for longer torsos.”

Princess seams and contoured cups? Sounds perfect!

Austin Kayak offers a newly redesigned Stohlquist Cruiser High Back PFD. It’s shaped just for women with a smaller cut, shortened torso and supportive inner cups. Its neoprene padded shoulders and lower back waist band are easy on the skin when worn with a swimsuit. A wide range of adjustability makes for the perfect fit.

So now we know: lifejackets are not created equal! Try the difference between a one-size-fits-all jacket and one made for women’s bodies. We know which one we’ll don for our next water activity! How about you?

Millions of women slip on underwire bras every day. If you’re one of those ladies, did you know that the metal or plastic in your bras may be bad for you? Experts offer the following differing opinions.

In the book Dressed to Kill, Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer reported that women who wore underwire or any tight-fitting bras every day had a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who wore no bra at all. They claim the underwire blocks the lymph glands under the arms, around the breast and chest wall. These lymph glands play an important role in draining cancer-causing toxins from the breast.

Eww. Did you know that toxins drained from your breasts at all? We didn’t. And did you know your bra could potentially be causing a back up?

The underwire in a bra is u-shaped and sewn into the bottom of each bra cup. The purpose of the wire is to provide support so the girls don’t sag. Sagging is something no body part should ever do, so it’s a tough call as to whether it’s worth blocking toxins to keep from sagging. What to do?

Another hazard of wearing an underwire bra is being stuck by the wire. If the bra is too big, too small or worn and old, the wire can poke through the fabric. Ouch. Impaled vs. sagging … what to do?

Here comes the differing opinion.

Dr. Marisa Weiss, president and founder of a nonprofit website breastcancer.org, disputes the claim that underwires cause cancer. Weiss explains that fluids travel up and out of armpits, not down toward the underwire. Whew! And more good news: Research shows more than 70% of bras sold each year are underwire bras, and the reports of stabbing injuries from bras are minuscule. Double whew! Sounds like you ladies out there are heeding our warnings about getting properly fitted for bras and replacing them regularly.

Now that we know underwire won’t shorten our lives, look great without fear! Underwire bras come in many styles and colors. Full support, strapless, minimizer, push up, padded – the options are endless.  Some of the top retailers include Victoria’s Secret, Bare Necessities and Nordstrom.

There’s even an underwire sports bra! Its u-shaped wire is flat and fits close to the body for comfort. The bra is also made of thick fabric which means it’s also sturdy and each cup is made of wicking material so the bra is breathable.

Don’t forget to pick up a CupCase to protect your underwire bras and keep them in tip top shape when you travel.

Have you ever missed a catch and had a softball practically knock you unconscious when it hit you in the breast? Or been hit in the boob by an elbow playing basketball? Or had a tennis ball hit your chest at top speed? We’re wincing just thinking about it. Ladies, protect your goods just like a man with a Turtle-Shells bra.

The Turtle-Shells bra is a sports bra with removable, protective cups that fit in the bra’s sewn-in pockets. The Turtle-Shells bra provides women’s breasts with comfort and protection. Like a man’s cup, it’s padded and shock absorbent. The design protects women athletes who play basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, football, boxing, martial arts, fencing, paintball, kickboxing and more! The sports bra is $27.99 and under and comes in sizes extra small to 4X. Choose from pink, black, white, red and blue. The cups are sold in pairs at $9.99 (seems logical, but the company website made a point to mention that fact more than once).

The sports bra is made with cotton, polyester and lycra, giving it a soft, comfortable fit. Made from polyethylene plastic, the cups have small holes that allow for moisture evaporation. Like other sports equipment, the cup doesn’t come in contact with the body, just the sports bra.

Play hard without the worry of injury by giving your breasts a protective shell!

Seventeen magazine said, “The bra works wonders, not by creating cleavage but by helping girls gain the confidence to compete more aggressively in sports … This chest saver will soon be in the gym bag of serious female athletes everywhere.”

We’re willing to bet these shells will also fit perfectly inside a CupCase. So, don’t forget to grab a CupCase for your gym bag, as well. The CupCase can be used to stash your regular bra while you’re wearing the Turtle-Shells at softball practice. And after the game, you can change into your regular clothes and put your Turtle-Shells in your CupCase. Now that’s a homerun!

When was the last time you went to the doctor for a health screening? Six months? One year? Three years or more? Girl, it’s time to make that appointment!

National Women’s Health Week is coming up May 13-19, a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. During this week, the 10^th annual National Women’s Checkup Day will be May 14, a day dedicated to encouraging women to visit their health care professionals to receive or schedule checkups, and to promote regular checkups as vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexually transmitted infections and other conditions.

What kind of screenings should you get? Here is a general guideline, but please check with your healthcare provider!

During this week, in addition to scheduling your screenings, organizers also want you to focus on:

• Getting active.
• Eating healthy.
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
• Avoiding unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.

A lot of events are going on around the country during National Women’s Health Week, including plenty of free screenings and fun get-togethers. Click here to find events close to your city or town.

We’re taking the pledge to schedule our health screenings this month. Will you??

Do you have a birthday coming up? Well, why not celebrate with a mammogram! While this may not seem like a very fun way to celebrate, scheduling your mammogram during your birthday month is a very easy way to remember to get this very important screening every single year.

For most women, a mammogram is the most effective tool used to detect breast cancer. A mammogram uses low-dose X-rays to create an image of the breast tissue and can usually detect lumps that are too small to be felt.

If you’ve never had a mammogram before, it’s recommended that women have an annual mammogram beginning at the age of 40.

If you’re a newbie to mammograms, here is what several experts say you can expect:

• Prior to menopause, you may want to schedule your mammogram for the week following your menstrual period, since your breasts may be less tender.
• You may want to schedule your mammogram early in the day since you cannot wear deodorant, powder, cream or ointment on or in the chest area.
• A mammographer, a skilled radiologic technician in mammographic positioning and techniques, will perform your mammogram. He or she will use a special X-ray machine that delivers low-dose X-rays to the breast and has special platforms or paddles used to compress the breast.
• Is it painful? It depends. Your breasts are being compressed – flattened like a pancake, if you will. Some women say it’s painful, while others say it’s not. We love this video by a mammography center in South Carolina that humorously addresses the pain issue. Regardless, it’s still very important because by spreading and flattening the breast tissue, this ensures a clear view of the breast tissue and reduces the amount of radiation needed to make an image. Your breast will be only compressed for 20 to 30 seconds.
• The entire mammogram procedure takes about 30 minutes.
• A radiologist will then review your X-rays and send a report to your health care provider, who will likely go over it with you.

We admit, the whole mammogram-for-your-birthday thing isn’t like spending a day at the spa or opening a box from Tiffany’s. But, if it saves your life, that’s worth a HUGE party and many more birthdays to come.

There were 9.5 million cosmetic surgeries performed in 2010, an increase of 9% over the previous year. Some analysts have used this increase to say the economy is improving.

Of those 9.5 million procedures, 1.6 million were surgical. Of those, the top surgical procedure performed was … you guessed it! Breast augmentation!

Here are the top five surgical procedures listed by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery:

• Breast augmentation (318,123 procedures)
• Liposuction (289,016 procedures)
• Eyelid surgery (152,123 procedures)
• Abdominoplasty (144,929 procedures)
• Breast reduction (138,152 procedures)

Nonsurgical procedures accounted for 83% of the total number of procedures performed. The top five minimally-invasive procedures were:

Botulinum Toxin Type A (2,437,165 procedures)

• Hyaluronic acid (1,315,121 procedures)
• Laser hair removal (936,270 procedures)
• Laser skin resurfacing (562,706 procedures)
• Chemical peel (493,896 procedures)

Here’s some other interesting info:

Women had almost 8.6 million cosmetic procedures, 92% of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for women has increased more than 164% since 1997.

Americans spent nearly $10.7 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2010. Of that total, almost $6.6 billion was spent on surgical procedures; $1.9 billion was spent on injectable procedures; $1.8 billion was spent on skin rejuvenation procedures; and almost $500 million was spent on other nonsurgical procedures, including laser hair removal and laser treatment of leg veins.

The numbers for 2011 will be released this spring. It will be interesting to see if there’s been another increase. CupCase bets that breast augmentation will continue to be a top procedure. What do you think? Would you ever have cosmetic surgery? Which do you think are OK and which aren’t?