When considering breast augmentation, you’ll encounter two main implant categories: saline and silicone. Saline breast implants consist of a silicone shell filled with a sterile saltwater solution, while silicone breast implants contain a cohesive silicone gel. Each option offers distinct advantages and characteristics that make them suitable for different patients and aesthetic goals, from how they feel and look to surgical considerations and age requirements.
Exploring Your Options at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery North Shore
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Anoush Hadaegh specializes in helping patients from across the North Shore, Boston, southern New Hampshire, and Maine navigate their breast augmentation journey with personalized care and expertise.
He carries the Mentor® brand for both saline and silicone implants, offering multiple varieties of each type to accommodate different patient needs and aesthetic goals. During your consultation, he’ll evaluate your anatomy, discuss your preferences, and explain how different implants can help you achieve your desired results while ensuring your safety and satisfaction.
How They Feel: Texture and Natural Movement
The most noticeable difference between saline and silicone is their tactile quality. Saline breast implants have a firmer feel and may be more detectable to the touch.
Silicone breast implants tend to feel more natural, closely mimicking the texture and movement of breast tissue. The cohesive gel maintains consistent density throughout the implant, creating smoother transitions and more realistic movement.
Visual Results: Shape and Appearance
Saline breast implants may show rippling more easily, especially in patients with minimal natural breast tissue or lower body fat. The firmness can sometimes create a less natural silhouette, particularly in the upper portion of the breast, where the implant edge can be more visible.
Silicone breast implants generally create more natural-looking results with superior shape retention. They maintain consistent form and create smoother contours that blend seamlessly with your natural anatomy. Some silicone varieties offer teardrop-shaped designs that provide a gradual slope, which can be particularly beneficial for patients seeking the most realistic breast shape and projection.
Surgical Considerations: Incisions and Placement
Incision requirements differ between breast implant types, affecting your breast augmentation surgery experience and scarring. Saline implants offer greater surgical flexibility, since they’re inserted empty and filled during the operation. This allows for smaller incisions regardless of final implant size. Some saline varieties even feature adjustable systems with removable fill tubes, allowing for size modifications after surgery to achieve optimal results. Silicone implants require slightly larger incisions, as they are already pre-sized by the manufacturer.
Age Requirements
FDA guidelines establish different minimum ages for each type of implant. Saline breast implants are approved for patients 18 years and older for cosmetic breast augmentation, making them the only option for younger patients seeking enhancement (outside of breast reconstruction cases). Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for patients 22 years and older for cosmetic procedures.
Learn More About Boston-Area Breast Augmentation
Choosing between saline and silicone implants is a personal decision that should be made with comprehensive knowledge and professional guidance. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Anoush Hadaegh at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery North Shore to discuss which implant type aligns best with your goals, lifestyle, and anatomy.
