Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants: How to Choose the Right Option for Your Body

There is no single breast implant option that works best for everyone. Body shape, tissue characteristics and aesthetic preferences all influence whether saline or silicone implants may be a better fit.

An important part of planning breast augmentation is selecting a surgeon who can clearly explain your implant options and guide you toward choices that make sense for your anatomy and aesthetic preferences. You want someone who will spend time listening to you and considering all of the options before recommending a specific implant type. At PURE Plastic Surgery, our focus is always on the patient and how we can best serve them with our breast augmentation in Miami, FL.

An Overview of Your Breast Implant Options

When you and your surgeon start to plan your breast augmentation, one of the first things you will discuss is which implant material to choose: saline or silicone. Both options feature a silicone shell but are filled with either a sterile salt water (saline) solution or a cohesive gel. Both are widely used and approved by the FDA, but saline implants are suitable for women 18 years of age and older, while silicone implants are FDA-approved for women 22 and older. 

This first choice can affect other decisions you make down the line, such as implant shape, size and placement. For example, saline implants are only available in round, while silicone implants come in two shapes, round and teardrop. Saline is also less forgiving when placed over the muscle. Other options, such as size and projection, are less affected by implant material, but each of these choices will impact your breast implant recovery, surgery and results. 

What Are Saline Breast Implants?

Composition and Design

Saline breast implants have a silicone shell but are filled with sterile salt water. They are a well-established option in breast enhancement, and while they aren’t as popular as silicone implants, they are still the best option for certain patients. Saline implants are filled during the surgery so they can be fine-tuned while in the body. This is helpful for cases when there is a slight asymmetry between the breasts that patients wish to address. 

Look and Feel

This type of implant has a firmer feel once inside the body. Because of their round shape, they tend to offer more volume in the upper pole of the breast, which can be good for those who want more cleavage. Saline implants can also provide a more prominent look for those who want noticeable breast enhancement. The appearance and feel of these implants can vary depending on placement, but generally, saline implants perform better when inserted under the muscle. 

Benefits of Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled after insertion and allow for completely customized sizing. Changes in implant integrity are also easier to detect with saline, because when they rupture, the breast will noticeably deflate within hours, and the saline will be harmlessly absorbed by the body. 

Considerations to Keep in Mind

Saline implants may feel firmer and less natural than other types of implants. They are also more prone to visible rippling, especially when the patient doesn’t have much natural breast tissue or when the implant is placed over the muscle.  

What Are Silicone Breast Implants?

Composition and Design

Silicone breast implants are made with silicone gel encased in a silicone outer shell. They are pre-filled before being placed into the body. The consistency and cohesiveness of the gel vary depending on the specific implant model. Some are soft and movable, while others, like gummy bear implants, are more form-stable.

Look and Feel

These implants are known for their softer, more natural feel in the body. The gel mimics the density of natural breast tissue, and it can be less detectable to both sight and touch. These implants can also be placed above or below the muscle. 

Benefits of Silicone Implants

One of the benefits of this type of breast implant surgery is the variety of options that are available to patients. Silicone breast implants come in many different shapes and profiles. They maintain their shape well in a variety of body positions and are less likely to ripple, even in those with thin skin or minimal tissue coverage. 

Considerations to Keep in Mind

Patients who use silicone implants will need to monitor them for signs of rupture. The best way to do this is through clinical exams and imaging, since a rupture won’t be noticeable otherwise. However, that also means you’ll have time to change or remove your implants after a rupture without visible asymmetry. 

How Body Type Influences Implant Choice

An implant that looks great on one patient may look completely different on someone else because of body structure. We look at factors like chest width and how much natural tissue you have to determine what kind of projection makes sense for your frame. If you have a leaner build with thinner tissue, we may recommend silicone implants placed under the muscle. If you have a wider chest, we may suggest a lower profile. We will also take your preferences into consideration. 

Lifestyle and Long-Term Considerations

We will talk to you about your general lifestyle when selecting an implant. Sometimes those who are athletes or very active prefer something lighter that feels more natural during workouts or other movement. Others don’t mind the additional weight that comes with larger implants. The breast implant procedure you choose should also be based on the health of your tissues and whether you are also considering a breast lift or other surgeries. Silicone implants tend to last longer than saline implants before needing to be replaced.

Choose the Right Implant With an Appointment in Miami, FL

Choosing the right breast implant involves finding an option that fits your body and lifestyle for the best long-term results. At PURE Plastic Surgery, we use detailed measurements, surgical precision and a patient-specific approach we call Smart Aesthetics™ to help you make confident, informed decisions. If you're considering breast augmentation in Miami, FL, we can walk you through every step of the process and answer any questions you may have. To request your consultation, call 305-230-4326 or start your journey online.