Even though records of women wearing undergarments to support breasts have been found to way back during Ancient Greece, push up bras were fairly new. The first push up bra, Wonderbra, was patented in the 1940s.

This type of push up bra uses underwires and padding to lift breasts. The padding, depending on the placement, can add additional lift or volume, by pushing the breasts closer together.

Pros and Cons:

The right push up bra can do wonders to how your breasts look. They’re fairly inexpensive (as compared to surgery) and will last for years if treated with care.

However, if the fit isn’t right, it won’t do any good. In a 2008 survey, researchers found out that around 80% of women were wearing bras that fit poorly.

This is because there’s no standardized sizing for undergarments. Each company has their own. There’s also the fact that only a small number of women have symmetrical breasts, which makes wearing a symmetrically-shaped bra a problem.

Another downside to bras is that the moment you take them off, your wonderful perky breasts will also disappear. This can present problems when you’d be in a situation where you can’t wear your push up bra, such as in a bikini or in a strapless or backless dress.

If you don’t have a push up bra or don’t want to invest in one, you can try bra inserts instead. Just as the name suggests, they’re inserted into your bra to provide added lift and volume.

Inserts come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and fills. Cheaper ones are made with soft spongy material, while some are made from skin-like silicone.

Pros and Cons:

Unlike push up bras that you either wear or not, inserts can work with any type of bra. You can even use them in swimsuits, provided that the built and material of the inserts are discreet enough to not show any telltale bumps or lines.

Inserts can last longer than underwire bras do, especially the more expensive silicone ones. They’re far more comfortable to wear than underwire bras, too.

Inserts work well for women with asymmetrical breasts. You can use an insert in just one breast to make it look more even.

However, using inserts can be a hit and miss. With the variety of shapes and sizes, finding one that’ll achieve the look you want can be a tiring chore.

Using inserts has a bit of a learning curve, too. Because they’re separate from your bra, you’ll have to place them perfectly yourself every time so that your breasts will look symmetrical.

Lastly, some of the flatter inserts tend to have poor to no noticeable effect at all.

These breast enhancement products typically come in two kinds: those that use pump and release, and those that use external tissue expansion. Cheaper ones use pump and release.

These systems are like breast milk pumps. They provide gentle suction for a few minutes then release. The action is repeated until the breasts swell, which produces a fuller and bigger look.

Pros and Cons:

Like inserts, breast enhancement systems aren’t dependent on the bra. This means you can use them with any outfit you’d want to wear, whether a bikini or a low-cut dress.

Unlike inserts, the effect isn’t affected by placement. This makes it easier to use.

However, breast pumps like these might have varying results. Depending on how long and how strong the suction is, you might have a small or a huge effect.

It’s also worth pointing out that the effects are temporary. Once the swelling goes down, your breasts will look back to normal. Also, the swelling has little to no effect if you want lift.

Lastly, some women might find the experience painful. If breast tenderness is an issue, this might not be the product for you.

On the other end of the spectrum are breast enhancement products that promise results that will last for years. The major downside: you’ll have to stick to the program or procedure for months before you notice any results.

Products included in this category are extended tension-based breast pumps, pills, and topical products such as creams and serums.

Here’s how they work.

Unlike the pump and release systems mentioned earlier, extended tension pumps work by exerting a constant tug on the breasts. This can cause the breast tissues to expand, making the breasts permanently bigger.

Pros and Cons:

The biggest benefit of this product is that tissue expansion is scientifically-proven. This means systems that use this method will definitely increase your bust to up to 1 and a half cup sizes.

However, these pumps are also the most expensive breast enhancement products in this list. They’re still more affordable than surgery, though.

Also, these pumps take a long time to take effect. Women should wear these pumps for up to 10 hours every day, without missing a single hour or session. This can make this inconvenient for most women.

Breast enlargement pills contain estrogen or phytoestrogens that can stimulate breast development. They’re meant to be taken at least once daily for a period of weeks.

Pros and Cons:

Pills are some of the most affordable breast enlargement products available. They’re easy to use and convenient for most women, too.

However, the quality of breast enhancement pills varies. This is due to the different ingredients used to make them. Some use a mix of different plant-based estrogens that have little to no effect.

Because of this, it can take months before any noticeable effect takes place. And results don’t happen to all women. Some might experience results while some won’t.

Also, because you’re ingesting these phytoestrogens, its effects include the whole body and not just the breasts. This can cause some women to experience anywhere from an increase in appetite to hot flashes.

Lastly, because of the estrogenic effect of these pills, they might not be advisable if you’re already taking contraceptive pills and other medications.

These breast enhancement products are formulated just like the pills, only in cream or serum form. They’re meant to be massaged on the breasts at least once a day.

Pros and Cons:

Because topicals are applied directly on the skin, the estrogenic effects become targeted and affect only the breasts.

Topicals made with pure Pueraria mirifica are also proven to have breast firming effects. Serums, in particular, are more potent than creams. In fact, they’re highly favored by dermatologists because of their fast absorbency and potency.

However, some topicals are formulated with a mix of phytoestrogen sources. This can make their efficacy vary, like those of pills.

Results can also vary. While some experience breast growth, others experience only firming or tightening effects.

Serums can also be pricier in comparison with creams and pills. However, for such a small bottle you’ll get a much more concentrated product.