A recent Facebook post shared in Nigeria claims that applying a paste of egg yolk, cucumber and shea butter will make women’s breasts more firm.

“Blend the cucumber in a blender, add the egg yolk, and shea butter, and blend well until a smooth paste is formed,” it reads. It goes on to explain how it should be used.

In 2019 Africa Check debunked a similar message that claimed the mixture firmed up breasts that had “fallen” because of breastfeeding.

No cause for concern

“This is an example of a home-made therapy but I am not aware of any research that supports this,” said Adegboyega Fawole, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Nigeria’s University of Ilorin. He suggested that “people with this condition who are not pleased with it” could “see a surgeon”.

But Fawole added that saggy breasts were not life-threatening or a cause for concern.