Silicone Vs Saline Breast Implants, What’s the Difference?

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular elective plastic surgery procedures performed every year. A breast augmentation can help a woman appear more youthful, as well as improve their confidence in their appearance.

While breast implants and augmentation have steadily gained popularity since the late 80s and 90s, today’s implants are more advanced and customizable than ever before and are available in a wide arrange of sizes, shapes, materials, and surgical methods.

When it comes to the implant materials used in breast augmentation, a person now has the choice between silicone and saline. Here is a more in-depth look these two types of implants.

Silicone Vs Saline, What’s the Difference?

Both silicone and saline implants are popular styles of implants that have their own list of pros and cons. For example, the cost of breast implants in Toronto can vary depending on which material of implant you go for, with silicone costing more than saline. But cost shouldn’t be the only factor that goes into consideration.

Saline implants are the standard form of implant that has been around since the 60s. The shell of the implant is first inserted into the breasts as an empty casing, then filled with a sterile saltwater solution known as saline. Saline implants have the benefit of being safe in the event of an implant rupture, as the sterile solution can be absorbed by the body. They also require less of an incision to place, making any scarring less visible.

A drawback of saline implants, however, is the water solution can move around during movement, creating a rippling effect under the skin during activities like running, jumping, and bending. They also feel more firm than natural breasts.

Silicone Breast implants, meanwhile, are filled with a dense synesthetic gel material. The silicone gel within these implants feels more realistic to human breast tissue and does not move around during activity like their saline counterparts, allowing them to appear more natural during movement. This cohesive gel is what makes this style of implant, also known as a “gummy bear” implant.

While granting a more natural look and feel, the primary drawback of silicone implants is that they come with a more increased risk to the body in the event of a rupture. Unlike saline, silicone cannot be safely absorbed by the body, and thus surgical removal is required should an implant break. Due to the slow nature that silicone implants leak, it can also be hard to tell if a rupture has taken place. It is recommended a person with silicone implants undergo an MRI to check the structural integrity of the implant every few years to ensure they are in good condition.

Both silicone and saline implants should be replaced every 10-12 years to ensure they remain in good condition.

Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation

• A person can be considered a good candidate for breast augmentation if they fit the following:
• Physically healthy with no underlying medical conditions
• Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• Breasts are fully developed
• Non-smoker
• They feel unhappy with their breasts due to size, shape, or symmetry