How to Get Rid of Bra Strap Indentations on Your Shoulders (and Keep Them from Coming Back)

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you want to get rid of those red marks and indentations on your shoulders that come from your bra straps, you've come to the right place. They're caused by too much downward pressure, which gets even worse if you're wearing your bra for hours on end every day. The good news, though, is that they're typically pretty simple to get rid of. Read on to learn about all the things you can do to heal those pesky marks on your shoulders and make sure they're gone for good.

Things You Should Know

  • Cover bra strap marks with makeup if you need to reduce the appearance of indentations quickly for a short period.
  • Massage, moisturize, and exfoliate the skin on your shoulders to reduce the appearance of bra strap marks or indentations.
  • Go to a doctor or plastic surgeon for treatment options if you have severe indentations that have developed over many years.
1

Use an exfoliating scrub on your shoulders.

PDF download Download Article
  1. [1] Make an exfoliating scrub with sugar and lemon juice to slough off the dead skin and pale the marks left by your bra straps. Pour some sugar into a small bowl, then dribble in lemon juice and stir until the mixture has a paste-like consistency. Massage into your shoulders, then rinse off with warm water. The scrub helps remove the dead skin and promote new skin cell growth.
    • If you don't feel up to making your own, a commercial scrub works just as well.
    • You might not notice results immediately, especially if the marks have been there for a while. Exfoliate daily to promote new skin growth and help fade those marks.
    2. Advertisement
2

Try bra strap cushions under your straps.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Bra strap cushions work best to alleviate marks from your bra straps cutting into your skin. If you have a bra that you like but the shoulder straps are super-skinny, adding a cushion helps protect your shoulders. [2]
    • Research has shown that bra strap cushions don't work as well as crossing the straps in the back, but they might make your bra more comfortable for you to wear. [3]
3

Soothe your skin with a moisturizing mask.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Intense moisture gives your skin a smoother appearance and might reduce the appearance of minor indentations that haven't been there for very long. Moisturized skin is also more healthy so it'll bounce back faster when your straps cause undue pressure or irritation. [4]
    • A homemade mask with yogurt and turmeric helps fade the marks as well as moisturize your skin. Just mix about 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 grams) of turmeric powder into 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of plain yogurt. You can also add about 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of honey to cut the strong smell and help the mask stick to your skin. Leave it until it dries, then gently wipe it off. [5]
    2. Advertisement
4

Massage your shoulders to stimulate circulation.

PDF download Download Article
  1. [6] Use a light oil, such as almond or olive oil, to massage your shoulders, neck, and upper back. If you can't reach well enough in all of these places, get someone to help you.
    • Use mild soap and warm water to clean the oil off of your skin once you're done with your massage, then follow up with a light moisturizer .
5

Fade the marks with alpha hydroxy acids.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Alpha hydroxy peels that help reduce the appearance of acne scars on your face can do the same thing for the strap marks on your shoulders. Even if the product is specifically designed for use on your face, it's safe to use anywhere. [7]
    • These products might not do anything about the indentations themselves. But without the marks, the grooves will be less noticeable.
    • Alpha hydroxy acids make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so always wear sunscreen on your shoulders if you're treating your bra strap marks with alpha hydroxy acids.
    2. Advertisement
6

Cover the marks with makeup.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Pat on a basic concealer to cover the marks, then dust on a little loose powder to set it. That might be all you need for lighter marks, but if it's not enough, try a cream makeup specifically designed to camouflage scars. [8]
    • The most heavy-duty cream makeup to cover scars is available by prescription. Talk to a dermatologist if you have dark marks that can't be easily covered by commercial makeup.
7

Get a professional bra fitting.

PDF download Download Article
  1. [9] Research has shown that as much as 80% of people who wear bras don't wear the correct size. [10] If it's been a while since you've checked your bra size, measure yourself —or better yet, have a professional do it.
    • Breast Research Australia (BRA), in partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport, has a free sports bra app that you can use to find the best fitting sports bra for you.
    2. Advertisement
8

Wear a strapless bra for a few days.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you have a strapless bra, try alternating it with your regular bras (even if you're not baring your shoulders!) to give your shoulders a break. If you wear a strapless bra for just a couple of days, your strap marks will likely start to fade.
    • Wearing a strapless bra will be most effective if you combine it with other treatments, such as exfoliating the skin on your shoulders and following up with a moisturizer.
9

Cross your straps in the back to reduce shoulder pressure.

PDF download Download Article
  1. [11] If your bra straps unhook in the back, unhook them and loosen them up a bit. Cross them in the back, then reattach them. Put your bra on and adjust the straps so they fit properly. You'll notice that you feel less pressure from the straps on your shoulders, which typically makes it less likely that you'll develop indentations.
    • This strap orientation also keeps your straps from slipping off your shoulders as much.
    2. Advertisement
10

Wear bras with wider straps to distribute the weight.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The pressure on your bra straps can make a skinny strap feel like a knife cutting into your skin by the end of the day. Bras with wider straps spread that pressure over a larger area so they don't cause as much damage to your skin. [12]
    • Wider straps also provide better support for your breasts and put less pressure on the nerves in your shoulders and neck.
    • If you have larger breasts, even a properly fitted bra might cause shoulder pain after a few hours. Wider straps will help with this. [13]
11

Seek medical treatment for severe indentations.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you've been wearing ill-fitting bras for years, the straps can actually cause deformities of the muscles in your shoulders, leading to a permanent indentation. A plastic surgeon can tell you if your indentations are permanent and if you're a good candidate for surgery. [14]
    • If your indentations aren't severe, you might be able to get rid of them through less invasive treatments, such as laser treatments commonly used to treat scars. [15]
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Sun exposure can make indentations more noticeable. Always wear sunscreen if you're going to bare your shoulders during the day.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
      • Don't wear your bra any longer than you have to. If you wear a bra to work, take it off as soon as you get home. Never sleep in a bra.
        Thanks
        Helpful 5 Not Helpful 4
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Wear Thong Underwear
      How to
      Put on a Loincloth
      How to
      Wear Boxers
      How to
      Make a Thong
      How to
      Prevent Tights from Sliding Down
      How to
      Put on, Tighten, and Tie a Corset
      How to
      Shrink Underwear
      How to
      Hide the Fact That You Forgot to Wear Underwear
      How to
      Make a Corset Dress
      How to
      Wear a Bodysuit
      How to
      Convince Your Parents to Let You Wear a Thong
      How to
      Buy and Wear Thong Underwear Without Your Parents Knowing
      How to
      Avoid Panty Lines
      How to
      Make a DIY Corset: The Complete Guide
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/resources/bra-fit-guide/
      2. ↑ https://breastcancernow.org/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/bcc196_well_fitting_bra_leaflet_2019_web.pdf
      3. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23274596/
      4. ↑ https://www.utmedicalcenter.org/the-importance-of-moisturizing/
      5. ↑ https://www.mskcc.org/news/what-are-benefits-turmeric-and-can-it-be-used-prevent-treat-cancer-here-s-what-science-says
      6. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20590481/
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3875240/
      8. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scars/treatment/
      9. ↑ [​​v161361_b01]. 14 April 2020.
      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2275741/
      2. ↑ https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2023/november/chronic-shoulder-pain
      3. ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/stevenandchris/m_health/abcs-of-bra-health
      4. ↑ https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1196978231
      5. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260916549_Brassiere_Strap_Groove_Deformity_Definition_and_Classification
      6. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scars/treatment/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 74,416 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement