The great news is, just as we have products to help when it comes to the face, we have specially formulated products to help get a more youthful looking bustline. Most of us are very disciplined when it comes to applying skin creams and oils to protect our face and body against aging, however the delicate area on the chest and the breasts often get overlooked. But do we really need a separate product for the neck down? Can't we just use our moisturiser all the way down to our ribcage?

The answer is of course you can. But how many do? Also when you use your little tub of face cream all over the large area of the chest you will go through a lot of moisturiser. However, when we have a separate product designed just for the bust area, we tend to spend the extra few minutes in pampering ourselves and massaging the lotion into the skin.

This has a two fold benefit. Not only do we moisturise the skin and improve the elasticity but we will become more familiar with the feel of our own breasts. As we apply the creams and serums we can feel for any lumps and irregularities that we may not have picked up if we weren't familiar with our own breast tissue. Studies show that 90 percent of all lumps and just under half of all breast cancers are actually discovered by women doing a self examination. As with all tumors, early detection leading to early treatment is the single most important factor in successful tumor removal and preservation of the breast.

By regularly applying your bust cream you will learn the changes in your breast tissue during the course of the month. Just before and during your period the breasts are likely to be swollen and tender. Also different areas of the breast can feel differently. The upper, outer area-near your armpit-tends to have the most prominent lumps and bumps. The lower half of your breast can feel like a sandy or pebbly beach. The area under the nipple can feel like a collection of large grains. Another part might feel like a lumpy bowl of oatmeal. What's important is that you get to know the look and feel of YOUR breasts' various areas. Does something stand out as different from the rest (like a rock on a sandy beach)? Has anything changed?

Knowing how your breasts usually look and feel may also help you avoid needless biopsies-a procedure in which the doctor takes a small sample of breast tissue and examines it under a microscope. Most importantly don't panic if you think you feel a lump. Most women have some lumps or lumpy areas in their breasts all the time. Eight out of ten breast lumps that are removed are benign, non-cancerous. Most importantly learn how to examine yourself correctly so you will feel confident in doing so. Here is a quick guide.

Step-by-Step Self- Exam

1. While standing in front of your mirror, place your hands on your waist; turn your body from side to side while looking for subtle changes in contour, indentations, or any alterations of the curvature in your profile. Repeat the procedure with your arms raised above your head and leaning forward.

2. The next step is to perform a tactile (touch) exam. Having wet skin or using lotion may make the exam easier to perform.Use your right hand to examine your left breast and your left hand to examine your right breast. Use the soft pads at the tips of your three middle fingers to feel your breasts.

3. Beginning under the arm, use a spiral pattern moving towards the nipple while making small circular motions with the pads of your fingers. Repeat the palpation, moving in vertical lines up and down the breast area. Perform two passes, the first is shallow and the second is one deeper than the other.

4. Squeeze the nipple looking for any abnormal discharge. Keep in mind that it is normal for some women to express a pearly opalescent, unscented discharge. Repeat on the other side.

Some women may be more comfortable examining themselves in bed with a large hand mirror. The addition of lotion makes the examination more comfortable and easier.

1. While lying on your side and examining the upside breast, the upward shoulder should be rotated out (toward the back) and as flat as possible. This position may help larger breasted women to better palpate the outer breast.

2. Regardless of the location or the position used, the area to be examined is the same. Imagine a rectangular area that begins at the lateral collarbone and moves straight across to the breastbone along the top. Move down the centre of the chest to just below the breast and go lateral (toward the arm, away from the body) to the side of the rib cage, then travel back up to the armpit.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary, any changes, any lumps or even if you are unsure about what you have found report it to your doctor without delay, and if you are aged 50 or over, attend a routine breast screening. With these suggestions in mind, no woman has an excuse not to pamper themselves with some fantastic bust creams, even if it is in the name of Health.

Here are some of our favourites to suit all budgets:

La Prairie Cellular Bust and décolleté Complex, 50ml $280.00.
This silky, weightless gel is specially formulated to improve firmness and elasticity while helping to brighten the décolleté. It helps to stimulate the skins natural repair process while moisturising and energising the delicate skin. A unique skin tightening complex provides an immediate feeling of lifting and tightening and give the skin's surface a smoother appearance.

NEO Décolletage Booster, Firming Neck and Décolletage Serum, 30ml $29.00.
A unique firming serum based on the use of Ayurvedic herbal and antioxidant rich extracts, which are designed to firm slackened skin and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The serum contains a unique combination of rosehip oil, olive leaf and citrus seed extracts along with vitamin-rich minerals, which all help reduce the effects of environmental and lifestyle influences on your delicate neck area, by smoothing and deeply moisturising your skin.

Sothys Radiance Tightening Bust Serum, 100ml
This light, fluid serum is non-greasy and penetrates the skin quickly, refirming and supporting the tissues of the bust and décolleté. The formula is rich in remineralising and toning ingredients designed specifically to assist firming and nourishing the bust area. It smoothes the skin for a radiant, luminous décolleté.

Avon Solutions Bust-Sculpt, 150g $29.99.
Contains a blend of ingredients that refines and firms the look of curves. Includes extracts of kelp, grape, apple, eucalyptus leaf and ginseng. Helps to tone and tighten the skin for a visibly firmer bust in just 4 weeks.







Skeyndor Sveltecontour Lift Up Bust, 200ml $78.50
This light cream incorporates nutrients extracted from soya, kigelia extract - an African fruit with acknowledged properties for treating breasts, a key isoflavon in preventing body ageing and polyporus officinalis extract, which has rejuvenating benefits. Leaves breasts more toned and skin more moisturised and smooth.

Now for something totally delectable
Mama Mio Boob Tube, 100ml $.
A leave-on moisture mask for the delicate skin in the bust area. It features an EFA rich blend of oils, including evening primrose oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil and olive oil and shea butter, which is the most potent and healing of all butters. It also contains CoQ10, a very potent, naturally occurring antioxidant which helps strengthen cell vitality and helps prevent collagen degradation so the skin can stretch and retract maintaining its tone and elasticity. It improves skin tone and increases elasticity and helps improve skin condition and stimulate cell regeneration.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Useful Links:

Breast Screening
http://www.breastscreen.info.au/

National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF)
http://www.nbcf.org.au