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Eliminating Underwire Bra Pain

Eliminating Underwire Bra Pain

Dana Donofree
2 min read

In some situations, underwire bras can provide the lift and shaping that you want. But when it comes at the expense of your personal comfort, it’s time to rethink the way you wear your bras. There are a number of factors that can cause underwire bra pain, including sensitivity from recent breast cancer surgeries or treatments. Here, we’ll address each of the potential reasons why underwire bras hurt under breasts, on the rib cage, or near the armpits and offer advice for getting bras that are comfortable and supportive for every shape.

Measure Your Size Again

If you’ve been wearing the same bra size for a while, it may be time to remeasure yourself to make sure it’s up to date. Small changes in size can have a big impact when it comes to bra comfort, so measure yourself according to the brand’s size guide to make sure you have the correct fit.

Look at Underwire Shape

Different bras can have very different underwire styles. For example, full-coverage underwire bras often have wires that comes up higher on the outsides of the breast, while demi-cup bras have smaller wires that don’t extend up as far. Depending on the shape of your breasts and how they sit in your chest, different bra designs may feel more or less comfortable. Try out some different styles to find something that suits you.

Go Wirefree

A bra with no underwire is often the simplest solution to this common problem. Advanced bra designs today make it possible to get plenty of support without wires. Our collection includes a variety of great no-underwire bras, including our popular Gloria Pocketed Wirefree Bra featuring fully lined soft cups and elegant stretch lace. It has many of the features you love from your underwire bras, like beautiful styling, adjustable straps, and a hook closure for a customizable fit, but the lack of underwire makes it comfortable to wear all day long.

Protect Your Skin

Speaking of wireless bras, these are also great options for anyone with skin sensitivity or currently healing from a surgical procedure. This is especially true for underwire-free bras that are designed to be comfortable to wear all day or even sleep in, such as our Leslie Soft Leisure Bra. It’s gentle enough to wear while incision scars heal, and the fabric is super-soft and stretchy. It’s so lightweight and comfortable that you may even forget that you’re wearing a bra. Wirefree designs like these are a great option for those who can’t seem to find an underwire bra that doesn’t cause some sort of discomfort, irritation, or pain.

You should be comfortable when wearing a bra, whether you’re recovering from a breast cancer surgery like a mastectomy or you’re dealing with other issues that cause discomfort with underwire bras. These tips can help you find bras that help you to look and feel great.

Dana Donofree
Dana Donofree

Founder and CEO of AnaOno. After a diagnosis of breast cancer in her late 20’s, Dana took her own lived experience and fashion design background and (re)designed intimates for those that have undergone breast surgery. Dana’s story has been published around the world in outlets like New York Times, BBC, Huffington Post, The Today Show, and more.