Light compression for the upper body
Solidea Silver Wave Skin Bra RangeLight compression for the breast, chest wall, underarm and trunk
Bras, vests and bodysuits knitted in Solidea's Silver Wave fabric, giving light compression with a raised wave pattern. No hooks, no seams in the reinforced areas, and soft enough to wear by day or at night, as a clinician advises.
Light compression designed for comfort and self-management
Solidea intends the range to apply light compression to the breast, axilla and trunk, to support lymphatic return in the management of lymphoedema.
- Light compression across the breast, chest wall, underarm and trunk.
- 3D wave knit micro-massage technology throughout, designed to support superficial lymphatic drainage.
- No hooks, and no seams in the reinforced areas, to reduce pressure points and rubbing.
- A high, embracing shape that comes up under the arm.
- Elastic cups that stretch to different breast shapes and volumes.
- Contains a bacteriostatic silver ion yarn, to help limit odour.
- Can be worn day and/or night. Always follow clinical guidance.
Who it is for
The people it is made for
The Silver Wave Skin range is for adults with lymphoedema of the breast, trunk or axilla. It should be worn as part of a clinician-directed lymphoedema management plan. It may be suitable for people who have developed lymphoedema after treatment for breast cancer, surgery or radiotherapy, where a clinician recommends compression.
What it is designed to do
- Support lymphatic return, as part of a lymphoedema management plan that also covers skin care, movement and massage.
- Hold and support the breast and underarm area.
- Be comfortable enough to wear by day or at night.
- Be soft and simple to put on, so a patient can manage it at home.
The fabric
Solidea's Silver Wave has a three-dimensional wave knit pattern on the inside of the garment.
| Feature | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Wave knit | A 3D textured wave knit | Designed to give a gentle micromassage during wear, to support superficial lymphatic drainage. |
| Light compression | 7 to 15 mmHg across the breast, axilla and trunk | Designed to support lymphatic return. |
| Silver ion yarn | Silver ions within the yarn | Bacteriostatic, to help limit odour. |
| No hooks | No hooks, and no seams in the reinforced areas | Designed to reduce pressure points and rubbing on tender skin. |
| High, embracing fit | Covers the breast, chest and underarm | Holds the breast and underarm area. |
| Stretch in every direction | Elastic cups that adapt to body shape | Fits different breast shapes and volumes. |
Six styles
Every style comes in sizes 1XS to 6XXL. The order codes for each size and colour are under Order codes.
Silver Wave Skin Compression Bra
A high, hook-free compression bra in the wave knit, for breast support.
Nero, Natur, Champagne, Blu Tonic, Ribes
View on the Daylong shop
Silver Wave Secret Skin Bra
A pocketed compression bra that holds a breast form or prosthesis.
Nero, Natur
View on the Daylong shop
Silver Wave Body Skin
A bodysuit with a built-in bra, covering the breast, abdomen and trunk.
Nero, Natur
View on the Daylong shop
Silver Wave Body Skin Pro
A bodysuit with a built-in bra and sleeves to the elbow, covering the breast, trunk and upper arm.
Nero, Natur
View on the Daylong shop
Silver Wave T-Skin Compression
A vest with a built-in bra, covering the breast, chest wall and trunk.
Nero, Natur, Champagne
View on the Daylong shop
Silver Wave T-Skin Pro
A T-shirt with a built-in bra and sleeves to the elbow, covering the chest, breast, underarm, trunk and upper arm.
Nero, Natur, Champagne
View on the Daylong shopSizing and measuring
The right size matters for comfort, fit and compression. Choose it from the size chart, using the clinician's measurements.
What to measure
- Around the fullest part of the breast.
- Around the chest just under the breast.
- Around the trunk as well, for a vest, T-shirt or bodysuit.
- The upper arm as well, for a style with sleeves.
A good fit
- Feels supportive but not restrictive.
- Sits flat against the skin, without folds, creases or rolling.
- Does not dig into the skin.
- Lets the wearer move and breathe comfortably.
- Is easy enough to put on and take off, where the patient does it themselves.
Skin Compression Bra size chart
| Measurement | 1XS | 2S | 3M | 4L | 5XL | 6XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breast, at the fullest point (cA) | 74 to 94 | 80 to 100 | 86 to 110 | 92 to 120 | 100 to 130 | 108 to 150 |
| Under the breast (cB) | 58 to 76 | 64 to 84 | 70 to 90 | 76 to 100 | 84 to 110 | 92 to 130 |
Order codes
Light compression of 7 to 15 mmHg to the breast, axilla and trunk, in the Silver Wave knit. Every style comes in sizes 1XS to 6XXL.
1. Silver Wave Skin Compression Bra
| Size | Nero | Natur | Champagne | Blu Tonic | Ribes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1XS | SOL-0613A5SOSM0901 | SOL-0613A5SOX01401 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2201 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2601 | SOL-0613A5SOSM4601 |
| 2S | SOL-0613A5SOSM0902 | SOL-0613A5SOX01402 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2202 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2602 | SOL-0613A5SOSM4602 |
| 3M | SOL-0613A5SOSM0903 | SOL-0613A5SOX01403 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2203 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2603 | SOL-0613A5SOSM4603 |
| 4L | SOL-0613A5SOSM0904 | SOL-0613A5SOX01404 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2204 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2604 | SOL-0613A5SOSM4604 |
| 5XL | SOL-0613A5SOSM0905 | SOL-0613A5SOX01405 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2205 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2605 | SOL-0613A5SOSM4605 |
| 6XXL | SOL-0613A5SOSM0906 | SOL-0613A5SOX01406 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2206 | SOL-0613A5SOSM2606 | SOL-0613A5SOSM4606 |
2. Silver Wave Secret Skin Bra
| Size | Nero | Natur |
|---|---|---|
| 1XS | SOL-0624A5SOSM0901 | Ask us |
| 2S | SOL-0624A5SOSM0902 | Ask us |
| 3M | Ask us | SOL-0624A5SOX01403 |
| 4L | SOL-0624A5SOSM0904 | Ask us |
| 5XL | SOL-0624A5SOSM0905 | Ask us |
| 6XXL | SOL-0624A5SOSM0906 | SOL-0624A5SOX01406 |
Ask us: for a size or colour without a code here, call 0115 932 0144.
3. Silver Wave Body Skin
| Size | Nero | Natur |
|---|---|---|
| 1XS | SOL-0617A5SOSM0901 | SOL-0617A5SOX01401 |
| 2S | SOL-0617A5SOSM0902 | Ask us |
| 3M | SOL-0617A5SOSM0903 | SOL-0617A5SOX01403 |
| 4L | SOL-0617A5SOSM0904 | SOL-0617A5SOX01404 |
| 5XL | SOL-0617A5SOSM0905 | SOL-0617A5SOX01405 |
| 6XXL | SOL-0617A5SOSM0906 | SOL-0617A5SOX01406 |
Ask us: for a size or colour without a code here, call 0115 932 0144.
4. Silver Wave Body Skin Pro
| Size | Nero | Natur |
|---|---|---|
| 1XS | SOL-0618A5SOSM0901 | SOL-0618A5SOX01401 |
| 2S | SOL-0618A5SOSM0902 | SOL-0618A5SOX01402 |
| 3M | SOL-0618A5SOSM0903 | SOL-0618A5SOX01403 |
| 4L | SOL-0618A5SOSM0904 | SOL-0618A5SOX01404 |
| 5XL | SOL-0618A5SOSM0905 | SOL-0618A5SOX01405 |
| 6XXL | SOL-0618A5SOSM0906 | SOL-0618A5SOX01406 |
5. Silver Wave T-Skin Compression
| Size | Nero | Natur | Champagne |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1XS | SOL-0619A5SOSM0901 | SOL-0619A5SOX01401 | SOL-0619A5SOSM2201 |
| 2S | SOL-0619A5SOSM0902 | SOL-0619A5SOX01402 | SOL-0619A5SOSM2202 |
| 3M | SOL-0619A5SOSM0903 | SOL-0619A5SOX01403 | SOL-0619A5SOSM2203 |
| 4L | SOL-0619A5SOSM0904 | SOL-0619A5SOX01404 | SOL-0619A5SOSM2204 |
| 5XL | SOL-0619A5SOSM0905 | SOL-0619A5SOX01405 | SOL-0619A5SOSM2205 |
| 6XXL | SOL-0619A5SOSM0906 | SOL-0619A5SOX01406 | SOL-0619A5SOSM2206 |
6. Silver Wave T-Skin Pro
| Size | Nero | Natur | Champagne |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1XS | SOL-0620A5SOSM0901 | SOL-0620A5SOX01401 | SOL-0620A5SOSM2201 |
| 2S | SOL-0620A5SOSM0902 | SOL-0620A5SOX01402 | SOL-0620A5SOSM2202 |
| 3M | SOL-0620A5SOSM0903 | SOL-0620A5SOX01403 | SOL-0620A5SOSM2203 |
| 4L | SOL-0620A5SOSM0904 | SOL-0620A5SOX01404 | SOL-0620A5SOSM2204 |
| 5XL | SOL-0620A5SOSM0905 | SOL-0620A5SOX01405 | SOL-0620A5SOSM2205 |
| 6XXL | SOL-0620A5SOSM0906 | SOL-0620A5SOX01406 | SOL-0620A5SOSM2206 |
Using the garment
Intended use
Solidea intends the range to apply light compression to the breast, axilla and trunk, to support lymphatic return in the management of lymphoedema. It is worn by day, at night or both, as a healthcare professional advises.
The Silver Wave Skin garments are a Class I medical device under the EU MDR; this is the regulatory class, not a compression class.
Putting it on
- Make sure the skin is clean and dry, and that any moisturiser has soaked in. Take off jewellery that could catch the fabric.
- For a bra, hold it in both hands, find the arm openings and put one arm through at a time. For a vest, T-shirt or bodysuit, gather it at the neckline, ease it over the head, then put the arms through one at a time.
- Pull it gently down over the chest and settle the breasts in a comfortable, natural position.
- Check that the underband sits flat and level around the ribcage, and smooth out any folds or creases.
- With the Secret Skin Bra, slip the breast form or prosthesis into the pocket before or after putting the bra on, and check that it sits evenly.
What the wearer may notice
- Gentle support.
- Light compression.
- A soft textured feel from the wave fabric.
Care
- Take it off at least once a day to check the skin.
- Follow the washing instructions on the label and in the instructions for use.
- Dry it flat, away from direct heat. Do not bleach, use fabric softener, tumble dry or iron it.
- We suggest at least two garments, so one can be worn while the other is washed and care can continue.
- Replace a garment if it loses its stretch or support, is damaged, or as the clinician advises.
A pilot audit of the Skin Compression Bra
A pilot audit followed women with lymphoedema of the breast or trunk after breast cancer treatment, each fitted with two Silver Wave Skin Bras (Williams and Muldoon, 2025). Its authors concluded that the bra offers a comfortable and effective option for managing breast and trunk lymphoedema, suitable for both daytime and night-time use.
About the audit
- 21 women were recruited through independent lymphoedema practitioners and a local breast cancer charity.
- 20 were reassessed at about 4 weeks. One withdrew to have further breast cancer treatment.
- 12 gave extended follow-up at about 11 weeks, and all 12 were still wearing the bra.
- The outcomes were the clinician's Breast Symptom Assessment Score, the wearer's Self-Report Symptom Rating Scale and wearer feedback.
| Outcome | Finding | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Clinician Breast Symptom Assessment Score | The mean fell from 5.8 to 2.3 out of 18, a 60% reduction, and every woman's score fell. | A lower score means the clinician assessed the symptoms as milder. |
| Self-reported symptom score | The mean fell from 6.85 to 3.4 out of 18, a 50% reduction, and every woman's score fell. | The women rated their own symptoms, such as swelling, breast hardness and night-time discomfort, as milder. |
| Moderate to severe swelling | Reported by 14 women (70%) at the start and 3 (15%) at about 4 weeks. | 11 fewer women reported significant swelling. |
| Breast hardness | Reported by 18 women (90%) at the start and 13 (65%) at about 4 weeks. | 5 fewer women reported breast hardness. |
| Night-time discomfort | Reported by 17 women (85%) at the start and 9 (45%) at about 4 weeks. | By 4 weeks, 10 women were wearing the bra regularly overnight. |
| Comfort | All 20 women rated it excellent or good. | High acceptability among the women who wore it. |
| Putting it on and taking it off | 90% rated it excellent or good. | Shoulder and arm movement can be restricted after breast surgery or radiotherapy, so a garment the wearer can put on and take off alone supports self-management. |
| Support | The lowest-rated item, a mean of 3.3 out of 5, particularly among women above a D cup. | The authors suggest daytime wear for smaller cup sizes and night-time wear for larger ones. |
Reference: Williams A, Muldoon J (2025) A pilot audit of the Solidea Silver Wave Skin Bra for women with breast and trunk lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment. Wounds UK 21(3): 52 to 60. Read the article on the Wounds UK website (opens in a new tab), which is for healthcare professionals. The evidence document under Downloads gives a fuller account.
Background
In a 2024 qualitative study, women with lymphoedema of the breast or trunk after breast cancer treatment described feeling unprepared for it, and a profound emotional and practical impact (Ulman et al, 2024).
Recent guidance holds that no one garment suits everyone, so compression for upper-body lymphoedema is chosen after an assessment of where the swelling is, the skin and tissue, and the patient's own priorities (McKeown and Ehmann, 2025).
Clinical questions
How does it differ from a standard supportive bra?
A standard bra lifts and supports. The Silver Wave Skin Bra adds light compression, and a 3D wave knit designed to give a gentle micromassage during wear, to support superficial lymphatic drainage in the breast and underarm. It has no hooks, and no seams in the reinforced areas to press on tissue made tender by surgery or radiotherapy, and its silver ion yarn is bacteriostatic, to help limit odour.
Is it suitable after breast cancer treatment?
It may be, for adults with lymphoedema of the breast, trunk or axilla after treatment for breast cancer, surgery or radiotherapy, where a clinician recommends compression.
Can it be worn at night?
Yes, where clinically advised. Audit findings suggest the bra may be suitable for both daytime and night-time use.
Can it be used with a breast form or prosthesis?
Yes. The Secret Skin Bra has pockets that hold a breast form or prosthesis.
What compression does it give?
Light compression of 7 to 15 mmHg to the breast, axilla and trunk.
Is it available on the NHS Drug Tariff?
No. The Silver Wave Skin range is not listed in Part IX of the Drug Tariff (checked September 2026), so it cannot be supplied on an NHS prescription. It can be bought directly from Daylong Direct. For clinical or bulk enquiries call 0115 932 0144.
Can patients buy it without a prescription?
Yes. Anyone can buy it directly from Daylong Direct or on the Daylong shop, and patients with a qualifying long-term condition may be able to buy it free of VAT by self-declaration. For bulk orders email sales@daylongdirect.co.uk.
Who should not wear it?
Anyone with untreated cellulitis or infection, severe arterial insufficiency, uncontrolled heart failure or an acute deep vein thrombosis, or a known sensitivity to polyamide, elastane or silver yarn. Use it only under medical supervision with diabetes and impaired healing, peripheral neuropathy, or fragile or irradiated skin.
Downloads
Each document opens in a new browser tab.
Solidea Silver Wave Bra Range: Evidence for Clinical Practice
Breast and trunk lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment, the range and its fabric, and the pilot audit in full (DAY151).
Open the evidence document (PDF, opens in a new tab)A pilot audit of the Solidea Silver Wave Skin Bra (Wounds UK, 2025)
The published audit by Williams and Muldoon in full, on the Wounds UK website. The site asks visitors to confirm they are healthcare professionals.
Read the article on the Wounds UK website (opens in a new tab)
Case study reports: two women after breast cancer treatment (DAY125)
Two women with breast lymphoedema after surgery and treatment for breast cancer, who wore the bra for four weeks and two weeks, with patient and clinician feedback.
Open the case studies (PDF, opens in a new tab)
Case study report: five months of daily wear
A woman with lymphoedema after breast cancer surgery, supported by a hospice, who wore the bra daily for five months, with patient and clinician feedback.
Open the case study (PDF, opens in a new tab)