Have questions you need
to get off your, uh, chest? You’re not alone! Girls everywhere are baffled by
their breasts. And whether you’re wondering if yours will ever grow or if
they’ll ever stop growing, we’ve reached
out to experts to get the full scoop on your boobs. Here’s what’s normal—and
what’s not—about your girls.
My nipples
don’t stick out!
Between 2 and 10 percent of women have
flat or inverted nipples that retract into their breasts instead of pointing
out. In some cases, they can pop out temporarily, while some hide out
full-time. For many people, the nipples will work themselves out during puberty.
And even if that doesn’t happen—no worries! Just like having an innie belly
button, innie nipples are perfectly healthy.
I have huge
stretch marks on my boobs!
Stretch marks are a
super-common side effect of a breast growth spurt. Try not to freak, because
they’ll lighten up as you get older. “When you get them at first you say ‘Oh my
God, I’m marked for life!’ but over time they really fade a lot,” says Dr.
Kathy McCoy, author of The Teenage Body Book.
My boobs change
sizes every day!
Breasts often swell when
Aunt Flo is in town, and shrink back down when she’s gone. But it’s possible
your body image may be at play here, too. The way you see your body can change
every day (or hour, or minute, or second!), so it might explain why your twins
are constantly changing in your eyes. Plus, the type of shirt or bra you’re
wearing can have a huge impact on how busty you look.
Mine are
pointy!
Pointy boobs and nipples are
a normal stage in your development. Early on in your breast growth, the nipple
and areola (the circle of skin around the nipple) poof out from the breasts.
“It’s not until later on that the breasts really get rounded and fill out,”
said Dr. McCoy. And even if they stay pointy for life, that’s cool too.
Perfectly round breasts may be all over TV, but they are rarely found in nature,
if ya know what we’re sayin’.
My nipples are gigantic!
There’s no normal size for
your nipples or areola—so love the ones you’ve got! If you’re self-conscious
when they show through your t-shirt or bathing suit, a little extra padding or
a harder-cupped bra should do the trick.
My breasts are
far apart!
Widely separated
breasts are just another normal part of your growth. “They do tend to fill out
and get closer together as they become more developed,” said Dr. McCoy. Can’t
wait that long? A good push-up bra can create cleavage.
My nipples
itch!
It’s normal to have some
itch or discomfort as your breasts grow and the skin on your nipples stretches.
But if it’s not going away, it may be an allergy to something, like your
detergent. A doc can help you find out for sure.
My girls are
different sizes!
Almost everyone has a little
extra on one side or the other, and for some of us, it’s more pronounced. No
worries—with some bra magic you can look perfectly symmetrical. Just take the
removable padding (called a “cookie” or a “demi pad”) out of the cup on your
larger breast and double up on your smaller breast. “That’s how I was able to
disguise it,” said Luciani, who grew up with two very different sized boobs. “It’s
normal.”
There’s hair on
my nipple!
Spotting some stray hair? Nothing to worry about! "Girls
who have darker or more coarse hair will often see hair growth around the
areola," said Dr. Carolyn Geanacou, a family doctor in San Diego. Just
remember: pluck, don’t shave. The last thing you want is boob stubble!
My boobs are
really hard!
The hardness or density of
breasts is different for everyone. “It’s affected by genetics, body weight and
age,” said Dr. Geanacou. Since younger girls tend to have firmer, denser
breasts, this is totally normal.
BY LAURA GREENBACK ON 10/22/2012 1:35:00 PM
POSTED IN weird body Q, puberty, breasts, my breasts are too small, my breasts are too big, when will my breasts grow, uneven boobs, advice