When considering breast augmentation, one of the most important decisions is choosing between silicone or saline implants. Both have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of feel, safety, and cost. This article provides an in-depth comparison of silicone and saline breast implants to help determine which option may feel more natural for you.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants have an exterior silicone shell filled with a viscous silicone gel. Silicone is the same material used for many medical implants and has been used for breast augmentation since the 1960s. Here are some key factors regarding silicone breast implants:
Feel and Appearance
Many women report that silicone implants have a more natural feel compared to saline. The silicone gel is soft and emulates the look and feel of natural breast tissue. Silicone implants come in different profiles and textures to further achieve a natural shape and feel.
Silicone implants also move with the breast tissue, similar to natural breasts. The silicone filling evenly distributes force placed on the breasts, allowing the implant to hold its shape and avoid rippling or wrinkling.
Safety
Silicone used in breast implants today is medical-grade and FDA approved. Earlier concerns in the 1990s over potential health risks with silicone implants have largely been disproven by additional research and studies.
Silicone implant ruptures are less common today thanks to improved manufacturing techniques. When ruptures do occur, the silicone gel is contained within the scar tissue surrounding the implant. The body typically keeps the gel from migrating to other areas.
Cost
On average, silicone implants cost approximately $1,000-$2,000 more than saline implants. However, silicone implants also have a lower likelihood of requiring replacement or revisions compared to saline implants.
Saline Implants
Saline implants have an outer silicone shell filled with sterile saltwater (saline). Saline has been used as an intravenous fluid for decades and is safe within the body. Here are some key factors about saline breast implants:
Feel and Appearance
The saline filling has a firmer feel compared to silicone gel. While saline implants come in multiple profiles, they may not emulate the natural softness of breast tissue as realistically as silicone.
Saline implants can be more prone to visible wrinkling or rippling, especially for women with less natural breast tissue. The saline filling can shift and settle unevenly within the implant, causing these visible deformities.
Safety
Saline is considered very safe if the implant were to leak or rupture. The saltwater solution is harmlessly absorbed and flushed out by the body. No additional surgery or procedures are required to remove the saline from the body.
The rupture rate of saline implants has improved, but it remains higher compared to silicone implants. The firmer filling and shell can be more prone to folding creases, weak points, and tears.
Cost
Saline implants are typically $1,000-$2,000 less expensive per breast compared to silicone. However, there is a greater chance of requiring replacement surgeries or revisions due to implant rupture or visible wrinkling.
Key Differences
| Silicone Implants | Saline Implants |
|---|---|
| Soft, viscous silicone gel filling | Saline saltwater solution filling |
| Mimics look and feel of natural breast tissue | Can have a firmer feel compared to breast tissue |
| Moves like natural breast tissue | Can be prone to wrinkling/rippling |
| Holds shape, avoids rippling | Saline can shift/settle unevenly |
| Low rupture rate | Higher rupture rate than silicone |
| Ruptures safely contained | Saline harmlessly absorbed if ruptured |
| Higher cost ($1,000-$2,000 more per breast) | Lower cost ($1,000-$2,000 less per breast) |
Determining Which Feels More Natural
When choosing between silicone and saline breast implants, the consensus is that silicone more closely mimics the look and feel of natural breasts compared to saline:
- Silicone gel has a soft, natural texture similar to breast tissue.
- Silicone implants move gracefully with the body like natural breasts.
- The fill distribution avoids rippling or unnatural contours.
Saline implants can still achieve beautiful results, but limitations include:
- The saline filling has a firmer feel compared to breast tissue.
- Saline implants can wrinkle or ripple more noticeably.
- The fill can settle unevenly and unnaturally within the implant.
However, saline implants may be a better choice for women who:
- Want a lower cost implant option.
- Prefer the peace of mind of safe saline if an implant ruptures.
- Have concerns over past silicone implant controversy.
Consulting Your Surgeon
While silicone implants generally have a more natural look and feel, there are many factors that go into choosing the best implant type for your body and goals.
Be sure to discuss all your options with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They can assess your anatomy, tissue quality, lifestyle, and cosmetic goals to help determine if silicone or saline implants are right for you.
Your surgeon can show you different implant shapes, profiles, and sizing options with silicone and saline. This allows you to see and feel the difference between implant types based on your specific parameters.
With your surgeon’s guidance, you can choose the implant type that will look and feel most natural for your body while meeting your personal preferences.
Maintaining a Natural Feel Over Time
Whichever implant type you choose, following your surgeon’s postoperative care instructions helps maintain the most natural feel long-term. Proper care and massage techniques preserve implant position, prevent capsular contracture, and keep implants soft and natural-looking.
Your implants should feel soft and normal. Report any sudden changes in implant feel, shape, or appearance to your surgeon right away as it may indicate a ruptured or leaking implant.
Over time, implants may need to be replaced for reasons such as rupture, capsular contracture, or simply wanting to change size or type. Modern implants are durable, but not designed to permanently last a lifetime.
Conclusion
When it comes to the most natural feel, silicone breast implants are generally considered closer to actual breast tissue compared to saline. However, some women may still prefer saline implants due to cost, safety if ruptured, or personal preference.
Be sure to communicate your specific goals and concerns to help your surgeon guide you in choosing the right implants for your unique needs. Following postoperative care guidelines also helps maintain the natural look and feel of your new implants.
Whichever implant type you select, working closely with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon maximizes your chances of achieving beautiful, natural-looking results.