Difference Between Silicone and Saline Implants

The most common enhancement procedure of the female form is breast augmentation. While the surgery is performed for a cosmetic benefit, patients can also experience increased self- confidence following the enhancement. Women may have small breasts due to genetics or experienced a decrease in bust size following pregnancy. Others may be predisposed to or diagnosed with breast cancer, requiring a mastectomy. Enhancing or restoring the breasts allows women to achieve their desired look and increased body positivity.

Breast Augmentation is a Personalized Procedure

Before undergoing breast enlargement, patients will meet for a consultation with the plastic surgeon. Typically, this surgery is completed under general anesthesia so a full medical and surgical history will be discussed. During the operation, a plastic surgeon places implants to enlarge the breast size and improve their shape and placement profile. Because every woman has different needs, breast enhancement surgery can be customized by implant type. The two basic kinds of implants are silicone and saline.

The doctor can show the patient how the implants differ physically and provide sizing options to try on inside the bra. Once a patient chooses her preferred implant type, the doctor will discuss incision size and location, and placement of the implants. This comprehensive first visit prepares a patient to undergo a breast augmentation, and more information can be found through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Silicone Implants

Newer silicone implants are meant to more closely mimic the feel of natural breast tissue. Earlier versions were composed of a semi-liquid silicone, but modern the modern implants are made of silicone gel encapsulated within a silicone shell. This prevents the migration of the material in the unlikely event of a rupture. Silicone implants are pre-filled and come in an array of different sizes. They are inserted in their full form, typically through an incision made in a crease under the breast. The surgeon will create a pocket in the chest wall and secure the implant either behind or in front of the muscle, then suture the incision site closed.

Saline Implants

The outer shell of saline implants is also created from a synthetic silicone material, but the inner substance is a saline solution composed of a sterile salt-water solution. Saline implant shells can be inserted through more discreet locations, like through the areola or underarms, then inflated with saline once in place. Like silicone implants, saline implants can be placed on either side of the breast muscle. Some saline implants feature a port that allows for postoperative adjustment; fluid can be removed if deemed too large for the patient’s preference or added if she wants a larger bust.

Pros and Cons of Implant Types

Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva, who performs breast augmentation in Newport Beach, CA, writes that because of the consistency of silicone gel, this implant type is regarded as feeling the most natural to the touch and is often the popular choice. The viscous material imitates the density of the breasts and maybe less detectable in many cases. They appear more natural when placed under the glandular tissue of the breasts, where saline implants are more likely to show rippling.

Patients who undergo a breast augmentation with silicone implants may notice a larger scar at the access site and will have fewer options for how the implants are placed due to their fully- formed size when placed. While a tunneling device can be used to compress the implant, it will still be larger than the empty silicone shells that are filled by saline once in place. Though some saline implants can be adjusted once in place with the addition or removal of solution, silicone implants are a fixed size that cannot be modified once the surgery is complete, without secondary breast augmentation.

In rare cases of a compromised implant, like after an injury, the silicone implant retains its semi- solid gel form, but the saline solution will be harmlessly absorbed into the body, deflating the affected breast. Both silicone and saline implants are safe in the body, even after leaks, and both types of implants will require replacement. One type of implant is not more likely to leak than the other.

Best Implants for Your Body Type

Women with thinner body types may be better suited for silicone implants, where those with enough breast tissue and body fat may opt for saline implants. Additionally, silicone implants are more realistic with subglandular placement in front of the muscle, while saline implants are often better disguised during submuscular insertion.

Size and Safety of Breast Implants

Silicone implants are slightly lighter than the saline version and are usually recommended for larger breast enhancements. Because saline implants are typically fit under the chest muscle, a larger saline implant can cause rippling around the edges and look unnatural. Both silicone and saline implants are equally safe to have placed. Larger implant size is no less safe than a smaller implant, but very large breasts can interfere with exercise and the fit of clothing and might cause discomfort over time.

Implant Longevity

Because both implant materials are housed within a thin, silicone shell, they last equally long inside the body. Most silicone breast implant ruptures go unnoticed because the breasts retain their size and shape, but saline implants will leak the harmless salt-water solution into the body, visibly decreasing the look of the breast.

Patients will know they need their implants replaced if they develop hardened scar tissue around the breasts, and tenderness or pain, or notice swelling. It will take a few months for the breasts to fully heal and support the new implants, but these symptoms may signify an issue if they occur after the healing phase.