Normal marks and problem marks
| Normal | A problem | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Light pink | Dark red, purple or bruised |
| Depth | A surface impression | A groove you can feel |
| Feel | Painless | Sore, itchy or burning |
| Duration | Gone within about half an hour | Still visible after an hour or more |
| Skin | Intact | Broken, blistered or rubbed raw |
Where the marks are tells you the cause
Around the band
Deep marks all the way round suggest a band that is too small. Before going up a band, check the cups. Cups that are too small push the bra off your chest and pull the band tight. The way to tell is in is my bra band too tight?
Marks only at the back, with a band that rides up, are from friction: a loose band rubbing as it moves.
On the shoulders
Grooves from straps mean the straps are carrying weight. The band is too loose, the straps are too tight, or both. See bra straps digging into your shoulders.
Under or beside the breast
A curved red line where the wire sits is normal if it is faint. A sore one means the wire is pressing in, or sitting on breast tissue where it should be on rib. See underwire digging into your ribs.
Across the top of the breast
A line where the cup edge sits means the cup is cutting in. The cup is too small or too closed at the top for your shape.
At the hooks
A patch of marks or irritation at the centre back is often from the fastening. A thin backing, a bra worn on a hook that is too tight, or a reaction to metal can all cause it.
When it is the skin, not the size
- Heat and sweat. Moisture trapped under the band or beneath the breast causes redness and soreness, particularly in warm weather. Breathable fabrics, a cotton lining and drying thoroughly after washing help. A persistent sore rash in the fold under the breast should be seen by a pharmacist or GP.
- Contact dermatitis. An itchy rash in the shape of the elastic, lace or fastening points to a reaction to a material. Nickel in hooks and sliders, latex or rubber in elastics, and some dyes and finishes are known triggers.
- Detergent. A new washing product or fabric conditioner can irritate where the bra presses. Rinse well and try a non-biological, fragrance-free one.
- New bras. Wash before the first wear to remove manufacturing finishes.
What helps
- Check the fit. Two fingers should slide under the band and under each strap. Go through how tight a bra band should be.
- Choose a wider band and wider straps, which spread pressure over more skin.
- Choose smooth or seam-free fabrics if lace and stitching leave prints.
- Look for covered fastenings and plush-lined elastics if your skin is reactive.
- Rotate your bras so the same pressure points are not used every day.
See a GP or pharmacist if skin is broken, weeping or not healing, if a rash persists after you change the bra, or if you notice any change in the breast itself, such as a lump, dimpling or a change in the nipple.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a bra to leave marks?
Light pink impressions that fade within about half an hour of taking the bra off are normal, in the same way that socks and waistbands leave marks. Deep, sore or long-lasting marks are not.
Why does my bra leave marks even though it is the right size?
Any close-fitting garment leaves an impression on soft skin, and seams, lace and elastic edges leave more. If the marks are light and painless, the fit is fine. Smoother fabrics and wider bands leave less.
Could I be allergic to my bra?
It is possible. Itchy, red or blistered skin that follows the line of the elastic, the hooks or a particular fabric can be contact dermatitis. Common triggers include nickel in fastenings and rubber or dyes in elastics. See a pharmacist or GP if it does not clear.
Sources
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