Choosing Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

Introduction to Saline Breast Implants & Silicone Breast Implants

Reviewed by Donald Revis, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Your breast augmentation will require you to make many decisions in consultation with your plastic surgeon. One of the most important choices you will make is whether to use saline or silicone breast implants. There is no right answer to the question, but there may be a right choice for you depending on what your goals are. There are pros and cons to both saline breast implants and silicone breast implants so one may be better for you than the other depending on your objectives. Keep in mind that while there are many differences between the 2, there are many similarities as well. Both are available in many implant sizes, shapes and textures. Therefore, both give you so many options that you can achieve the look you desire with either type. The choice will therefore boil down to other factors such as your age, implant feel, potential sensitivity to rippling, the way you feel about saline vs. silicone and other factors. The following chart summarizes some of the differences, but you should read this whole section to learn more about these differences and others.

This write-up is divided into 3 sections, Brief Implant History, Saline Implant Overview and Silicone Implant Overview. You can skip around or ahead by clicking on the links, or you can read it start to finish. We have many women who have both silicone and saline implants so you can hear both sides of the story from them. Finally, you can use our Surgeon Finder to do the best thing possible—find a plastic surgeon that will sit down with you, discuss your breast augmentation goals, your body characteristics and help you to make the right choice.