Do you want to enhance your figure with breast augmentation surgery? Breast implants are one of the most popular aesthetic options in the industry, helping thousands of women achieve a larger bust size. But size is not the only decision you have to make when choosing your breast implants. Breast implants also come with a choice of filling material: saline or silicone gel. These implants have some key differences you should know about because they may affect the results of your breast augmentation.
How Are Saline and Silicone Implants Placed?
Saline implants are breast implants that consist of an outer silicone shell and a saline solution inside. When you have saline implants, the surgeon inserts the empty outer shell first. Once it is in the appropriate position, the saline solution is injected into the implant to fill it to the desired volume. Consequently, saline implants are highly customizable in their size and placement.
Silicone implants are breast implants that are composed entirely of silicone gel. If you have silicone implants, the surgeon places the entire implant at once. Silicone implants are available in a variety of sizes, but they cannot be customized to an exact size in the way that saline implants can.
Differences in Look and Feel
Many people wonder how saline and silicone implants differ in terms of feeling and appearance. There are distinct differences between the two that affect the way they look and feel.
Saline implants tend to look rounder, whereas silicone implants have a more natural shape that resembles real breast tissue. When it comes to feeling, silicone implants also have a more natural feel than saline implants. Saline implants feel more firm and tight, while silicone implants feel softer and more flexible.
Age Restrictions for Breast Augmentation
One of the lesser-known differences between saline and silicone implants is that there are age restrictions on each. Saline implants are FDA-approved for anyone age 18 or older, while silicone implants are FDA-approved for anyone 22 years or older.
Which Breast Implant Is Right for You?
Are you wondering which breast implant is the right fit for you? A consultation with Dr. Rivet or Dr. Flugstad at Denton Plastic Surgery can help determine whether saline or silicone is the right choice. Our team will go over the differences between each implant and discuss your desired aesthetic goals to confirm which implant is ideal for your body. To learn more about breast augmentation, visit our breast implant page.