Armpit Fat From Your Bra: What Role Does It Play?

Is having an underarm bulge the result of one's breast blending in with arm fat, or is it something else? Is armpit fat caused by bras or other factors like axillary or excess breast tissue?

Many people put on bras in the morning and notice fat bulges coming out from the sides. That is because your bra pushes against the torso, causing the fat on your upper sides to bulge.

Many women feel that their bodies are flabby and lumpy, and while that's sometimes the case, it isn't always. When we gain weight, we cannot tell where it will appear on our bodies. Our genetics predetermine our fat distribution; some are more inclined to have it on the upper back or bra region.

Underarm Bulge Is Not Always About Back Fat

One of the main causes of underarm fat can actually be your bra. Underarm bulging can occur if you're wearing a bra that doesn't correctly support your breasts. The result can, in some cases, be a back bra bulge. 

It's already common knowledge that most women wear the wrong bra size. It's either that the bra has too small a cup or the band is too big.

Therefore, do what you can to get the right-fitting bra. We're currently living in a market that doesn't give us many options to have access to well-fitting undergarments. So don't get frustrated if finding a well-fitting bra with the right cup sizes is difficult.

But if you can spend a bit more money finding a bra that correctly fits, it will be worth it.

A Guide to Reducing The Appearance of Armpit Fat 

Unless your bra is covering your breasts and pulling it forward toward the center of your chest, it's not working correctly. You will likely end up with fatty tissue that migrates from the boob to the bra rolls or armpit bulges.

Many women compress their breasts with improperly fitting bras, causing them to spill out the sides. This pressure makes the breast tissue move with time and appear around your arms or back.

The same can happen with improperly fitting or tight clothes, such as tight tank tops.

If your bra isn't a problem, you should take the time to assess your lifestyle. Too much fat is one of the main culprits for underarm flab. 

A caloric deficit helps with burning fat. This means you eat 300 to 500 fewer calories than your body burns in a day. If you maintain this healthy habit, you can lose up to a pound of fat per week.

You can't direct where fat loss occurs in the body in specific areas. If you consistently exercise to increase your heart rate, you'll burn calories, which helps you lose weight quickly. Still, you will tend to hold onto excess weight in areas favored by your specific body's fat distribution tendencies. 

For example, back bra fat accumulated on the upper body can persist even after you begin losing fat in other places. Even worse, after weight gain, this problem area can tend to grow first. 

These types of issues can be solved in two ways: a consistent caloric deficit maintained for an extended window or an armpit fat removal procedure. 

If Excess Fat is the Problem, Aim to Lose Weight

Getting rid of armpit fat involves a combination of diet and exercise to promote overall weight loss. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this:

Balanced Diet

• Calorie Deficit: Create a calorie deficit by consuming fewer calories than you burn. This is fundamental for weight loss. Calculate your daily maintenance calories and aim to consume fewer calories than that.

• Nutrient-Dense Foods: Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. These foods are nutrient-dense and help control your hunger.

• Portion Control: Be aware of portion sizes to avoid overeating. Use smaller plates, bowls, and utensils to help regulate portion sizes.

• Limit Processed Foods and Sugars: Minimize your intake of processed foods, sugary snacks, and drinks. These are high in calories, which will affect how you lose weight.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink enough water throughout the day. Sometimes, thirst is mistaken for hunger, leading to unnecessary calorie intake.

Cardio Exercise

Since spot reduction is not possible, you will have to burn fat from your body in an overall manner. Cardio exercises are a great solution to eliminate bra fat under the arm.

• Aerobic Activities: Engage in regular cardio exercises like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, or dancing. Aim for at least 120 minutes of mid-intensity exercise per week or 70 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise.

• Interval Training: Incorporate interval training, alternating between high-intensity bursts and lower-intensity recovery periods. This can be particularly effective for burning calories.

Strength Training

• Targeted Exercises: Include exercises that target the muscles around your armpit area, such as the triceps, chest, and shoulders. Examples include push-ups, tricep dips, chest presses, and lateral raises.

• Resistance Training: Use resistance bands, dumbbells, or your body weight to make your workouts more intense. This helps build lean muscle, increasing your metabolism and aiding in fat loss.

Minimally Invasive Underarm Fat Removal 

Once you have assessed your lifestyle and chosen a properly fitting bra, AirSculpt® can help you reduce stubborn armpit fat.

For those in the Charlotte area, Armpit and Underarm AirSculpt® removes axillary breast tissue without scalpels, stitches, needles, or general anesthesia. This minimally invasive fat removal solution offers dramatic results in the underarm area without the grueling recovery of traditional lipo. Patients won't have to worry about noticeable scars on the upper arm or discomfort from their bra straps.

Better yet, patients enjoy permanent results with just 48 hours of downtime, all with a single treatment. 

If you've exhausted all the options to reduce axillary fat at home, we are ready to help you achieve your dream body. Don't settle for bras that fit too tight and cause pesky bulges to form. 

Call our Charlotte fat removal office or any of our more than 27 body contouring centers to schedule your free consultation.