What Are Breast Implants Made Of?

Breast implants help create a chest size and shape that flatters your figure. These implants are beneficial if you have a smaller chest or if you’re seeking reconstructive surgery after an injury or medically necessary procedure such as a mastectomy.

With breast implants, you can add volume, shape, and youth to your silhouette. You can opt for a size that compliments your body, choose a shape that looks natural or dramatic, and decide between a more natural-looking or ample implant type, depending on your preferences.

Silicone-Shell Breast Implants 

The outer shell of breast implants is a silicone case; this is true no matter what size, shape, or texture of implant you choose. A silicone shell provides the most secure casing for the interior of the implants and helps prevent leakage or rupture.

The silicone rubber shell can be either smooth or textured; however, many surgeons will recommend smooth implants since more cases of BIA-ALCL (breast implant associated-anaplastic large cell lymphoma) occur after textured implant placement. This risk is significantly lower with smooth textured silicone implants.

What Are The Different Breast Implant Materials?

You have two choices when it comes to the interior of breast implants: saline or silicone. These have different pros and cons that you’ll need to discuss with your surgeon before deciding which one suits your needs and preferences.

Each implant material is unique and can produce different effects.

Saline

Saline-filled implants tend to have a more voluminous and dramatic appearance than silicone implants. While this can be a definite plus for some people, not everyone wants a drastically different shape or volume. Sometimes, all that’s needed is subtle enhancement. Fortunately, your surgeon will implant the silicone shells and then fill them with sterile salt water, allowing them to be as volumized or subtle as you want them to be. 

Silicone

Implants filled with silicone gel are more popular among patients looking for a realistic appearance or breast reconstruction. At the same time, they can still successfully add volume and shape to the chest. These devices also look and feel more like organic breast tissue, which may help you feel less like you have an implant in your chest and more like it’s your natural breast tissue. To produce an even more organic appearance, you can choose silicone implants in a teardrop shape that mimics the natural breast shape. 

Which Breast Implants Are More Likely To Leak Or Rupture?

Breast implant quality and safety have seen tremendous improvements over the years. While there are still some instances of implant rupture, this is primarily due to situations that put large amounts of pressure on the implants, such as a car accident.

Leakage is also less likely than it used to be, especially with silicone gel-filled implants. This highly cohesive substance is more likely to stick to itself or the inside of the implant than leak out. With a sturdy interior, silicone implants may last longer than those filled with saline.

Saline implants have improved, too; though these were once considered more likely to rupture or leak, saline-filled implants can produce excellent and safe results with proper maintenance. Plus, if the implants do leak, the substance is a natural, saltwater filling, meaning the body will likely absorb it.

Choose The Breast Implant Material That’s Right For You

At Allure Esthetic, our providers will review your medical history and ask you questions about your aesthetic goals. They will then walk you through the pros and cons of both silicone and saline implants to help you decide which is right for you. 

Book your consultation through our website or call or text us at (206) 209-0988 to schedule your appointment today!