Breast Augmentation: The Difference Between Saline and Silicone Implants

If you are considering breast augmentation, one of the first decisions you will have to make is the type of implant you want. Though you will get more details at your initial consultation so that your choice is a bit simpler, it helps to be informed ahead of time. This procedure is expensive and the results will last years with any luck, which makes gaining knowledge about it a good idea, starting with the types of implants available. Find out the basic ways that saline implants differ from the silicone kind.

Saline implants are usually either round or tear-drop shaped, and are always filled with salt water. In most cases, the shell is empty before the breast augmentation, and once it is put into the right place, the surgeon fills it with salt water until it is the desired size. Though it is often considered safer than the silicone implant, this type is known for being less natural looking than the alternative, as it is more likely to ripple than the other type. Not only can these ripples be felt when they occur, but they can also even be seen, which definitely does not help this kind of device look very natural.

On the other hand, silicone implants are known for looking quite natural, as they are unlikely to ripple, and are said to feel more real, as well. This is because they are filled with gel, which is a change made in the last several years, as the first silicone implants were typically filled with oily, thinner liquid that was more likely to leak out than gel. Unfortunately, women have to be 22 to get this kind of implant, as opposed to the age requirement of 18 for the saline devices. This is because this style is considered less safe in general than the alternative, which is why some women may choose the other kind despite the fact that it looks less natural.

The type of implant used during breast augmentation is just one of the major decisions that you will have to make before the surgery. You will also need to choose the size, shape, texture, placement, and even the manufacturer. Of course, your surgeon should help you make these decisions by offering you information and their professional opinion. It is still wise to go into the first appointment with a general idea of what you would like, making research important to do before the surgery.