Wearing a Bra at Night: Is Sleeping in a Bra Harmful?
Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe admitted to always wearing a bra to bed. Others believe that sleeping in a bra can provide the same benefits as cosmetic surgery. But when it comes to your health, is wearing a bra at night beneficial or harmful?
How does sleeping in a bra affect your body?
Although there are a number of different reasons why many people wear a bra at night, experts say the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.
Sleeping in a bra inhibits circulation
If your bra has an underwire or is especially tight fitting, it’s likely to restrict blood circulation. An elastic or underwire pressed firmly against your skin will constrict your pectoral muscles (i.e., the muscles of your chest wall). This inhibits the flow of blood to the nerves in your arms and throughout the rest of your body.Furthermore, wearing a bra at night that usually functions as a compression garment (e.g., a sports bra) could prevent blood from reaching your breast tissue. Poor circulation can lead to dizziness and muscle cramps.
Sleeping in a bra disrupts your sleep
You may already know that sleeping in really snug clothing can make it difficult to sleep. Similarly, wearing a bra to bed (particularly a tight-fitting one) can be equally uncomfortable. Even the slightest constriction can affect your overall sleep quality.
Sleeping in a bra irritates your skin
The multiple hooks and straps of a bra repeatedly rub against the surface of your skin, potentially causing pain, discomfort, and irritation.Sleeping in a bra produces hyperpigmentationHyperpigmentation, or discoloration of the skin, is a direct result of elevated melanin levels in certain regions of your body. Melanin pigment determines your complexion and resides in the outermost layers of the skin. Constantly wearing a bra at night tends to generate friction, stimulating melanocyte production and forming dark spots and uneven skin tone.