Yes, ‘Bra Burn’ is Real: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Treating it
Main image – Katarinaradovic/Stocksy
What’s the one thing you look forward to when you get home after a long day? I’ll go first. Whipping off my bra and being able to breathe again. Just me?
But as liberating as it is to finally be bra-free, it’s a bit of a buzz kill when you notice yours has left behind some rather uncomfortable marks. Worse still, they don’t seem to go away even when you haven’t worn a bra for ages.
Don’t get me wrong, ‘bra burn’ is not something anyone should lose sleep over and I can pretty much guarantee that every woman experiences it. But just in case you want to know more about what this hyperpigmentation issue is, why it occurs and how to treat it, keep scrolling below for expert advice from dermatologists Dr Hannah Kopelman, Dr Paul Farrant and Dr Stefanie Williams.
Because, don’t women have enough on their plate without bra burn taking up all their headspace?
What is bra burn?
“Bra burn refers to the dark marks, patches, or grooves that sometimes develop on the skin where bra straps or bands sit,” explains Dr Farrant.
“These marks are a form of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, caused when repeated friction, pressure, or irritation stimulates excess melanin production. Over time, this can leave noticeable darker areas or lines on the shoulders, under the breasts, or across the back.”
Image – Katarinaradovic/Stocksy
Who gets it?
Dr Farrant says it can happen to anyone who wears a bra, “but it’s more common in people with darker skin tones, due to them naturally producing more melanin and being more prone to pigmentation changes,” he explains.
“I tend to see it more often in women who wear tighter bras for long periods of time or who exercise regularly in snug athletic wear,” adds Dr Kopelman.
How do you stop it from happening?
Dr Farrant says – of course – it starts with your bra. “The first step is to reduce the friction and pressure that caused the problem in the first place,” he says.
“It’s a good idea to opt for [bra] styles that support without digging into the skin. Choosing better fitting bras with wider, softer straps or band supports will help the skin recover and also spread the pressure more evenly.”
You might want to also consider applying a barrier before putting your bra on in the first place. “For optimal skin health, keep the skin well-moisturised to maintain a strong barrier and reduce the vulnerability to rubbing,” Dr Farrant adds.
“Moisturising areas prone to friction and choosing softer fabrics during workouts can make a big difference,” adds Dr Kopelman. “Sunscreen is also important if the area is exposed.” Bra burn and sun burn? No thank you.
How do you treat it?
Get into the habit of applying a moisturiser the affected areas daily before putting on your bra. We’ve found Tropic’s Body Love Firming Buttercream (£20 from Tropic UK) is lightweight enough that it absorbs quickly before dressing, yet the shea butter and sea kelp here are enough to keep us moisturised all day.
“For the pigmentation itself, use anti-pigment ingredients such as tyrosinase inhibitors,” adds Dr Williams.
“Examples of active ingredients available over the counter include anti-pigment peptides such as nonapeptide-1 and tetrapeptide-30, niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin C, and liquorice root extract, but there are many more. In stubborn cases, see a dermatologist for prescription strength creams such as the Kligman formulation containing hydroquinone.
Image – Leandrocrespi/Stocksy
Dr Kopelman also recommends azelaic acid, which is available in both OTC and prescription strengths. The Inkey List’s SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Acid Serum (£16 from Boots UK /$19.50 from Sephora US) comes in a gel formula, which is also handy for fast drying if you’re using it before dressing.
“And in-office treatments such as chemical peels or laser therapy can also help lighten the marks,” Dr Kopelman adds.
How long until you see results?
“Hyperpigmentation is likely to improve with time, but it can take months,” Dr Farrant warns.
“Results will depend on how deep the pigmentation is and how consistent you are with treatment. With topical products, most people start to notice fading within eight to twelve weeks.” And in-office treatments? “[These] may achieve results faster, but multiple sessions are often needed for long-standing or stubborn marks.”
“Pigmentation fading typically takes at least 12 weeks to 6 months,” adds Dr Williams. “It’s a stubborn condition. Consistency is crucial for visible improvement, but most importantly, the causative trigger must be eliminated (i.e. the rubbing bra), as otherwise you will keep activating the pigment building cells in your skin.”
The ingredients you’ll want to include in your routine
- Niacinamide: “Excellent for calming inflammation and reducing pigmentation,” says Dr Farrant.
- Azelaic Acid: “Helps to lighten dark marks and is safe for long-term use.”
- Retinoids and Kojic Acid: “Help even out pigmentation and prevent recurrence,” says Dr Kopelman.
- PHAs such as gluconolactone and lactobionic acid: “These are gentler [than AHAs], to promote skin cell turnover and shedding of existing pigment,” says Dr Williams.
The takeaway
Ladies, the bra burn struggle is real. Invest in some good body care ingredients (eg niacinamide and azelaic acid) to calm the skin and reduce and even out pigmentation over time. Try to get into the habit of applying your body care products before putting on your bra each morning and always protect the area with sunscreen if it’s going to be exposed.
In-office procedures are available too and they will probably work more speedily but remember you’ll need to make multiple appointments. So, consider your budget and maybe try to do preventative things from home first so that going in-clinic can be a last resort.
And finally, it sounds obvious but reassess your bra too. Does it fit properly? Are the straps at the right length? Is the fabric soft enough for your skin? Booking in for a professional bra fitting is always recommended, whether you experience bra burn or not. Companies like Bravissimo and Marks and Spencer in the UK offer them for free and have a wide selection of bras available, meanwhile in the US, Victoria’s Secret also offers free bra fittings.
Meet the experts
Dr Stefanie Williams is dermatologist and medical director of EUDELO Dermatology & Skin Wellbeing
Dr Hannah Kopelman is a dermatologist and chief medical officer at DermOnDemand
Dr Paul Farrant is consultant dermatologist in Experts in Skin and Hair
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