Breast Augmentation: Should You Use Silicone or Saline

Breast augmentation is a cosmetic option for women looking to enhance and sculpt the look of their breasts. This procedure has been around for many decades, however, it has not become popular until recently. Plastic surgeons have developed skilled surgical procedures to help breast augmentation evolve from creams and injections that were never proven to work, to advanced techniques that can produce dramatic, semi-permanent results.

Although it is considered primarily a cosmetic procedure, many patients seek breast augmentation for reconstructive reasons. Many women are good candidates for reconstructive surgery because plastic surgeons have developed techniques and the proper equipment to restore the appearance of natural breasts for women who have undergone a mastectomy. However, when surgeons began researching augmentation techniques in the late 19th century, their motives were purely cosmetic. For many years, doctors experimented with a variety of different substances including sponges, fat, and paraffin, to increase breast size. Many of these attempts failed, and even caused disastrous results including infections and cancer. Silicone was first introduced as a safe, and natural option for breast augmentation in 1962.

Two years later, in 1964, saline implants were introduced to the market as well, and both were considered safe for implants. However, it was taken off the market in 1982 when a patient complained that the implant had ruptured, and leaked throughout her body and caused vital tissue damage.. During this time, only reconstructive patients were approved for this option. The FDA reinstated the silicone implants in 2006, after many years of research studies found no link between the silicone implants and adverse health effects.

Many women prefer silicone implants to saline because it tends to have a more natural look and feel, although there are other pros and cons associated with each option. Although neither has more of a risk of rupturing, saline implants are less harmful when it happens. If the implant ruptures, it is more obvious because the body can absorbed saline solution. However, the body does not absorb silicone, so when these implants rupture it will not as obvious. These implants will require more maintenance, including a yearly MRI to be sure that the implant is still intact. Additionally, the size of saline implants can easily be adjusted with more or less saline solution after the implant has been placed in the breast. This gives the surgeon more options for making an incision, including the size and location; silicone implants do not have this option because they come pre-filled and adjusted to the desired size.

Breast augmentation can bring can make someone feel more confident, especially for patients with reconstructive motives. Even still, cosmetic patients can feel confident in the natural effects of this procedure. Consult a plastic surgeon to learn more about the many different options. Depending on each patient's needs and desired effects, saline and silicone implants have pros and cons that can be tough to outweigh.