Saline vs Silicone Breast Implants: Key Differences Explained

Breast implants are becoming more realistic and more accessible than ever, and at 360 Surgery Center, we work with each of our clients to guarantee the best possible results, from providing guidance before and after surgery to helping you choose exactly which implants are the right choice for your lifestyle and preferred look. Two of the most common breast implants are saline and silicone options. Read through this helpful comparison guide to saline vs. silicone implants to start deciding which ones you like best.

If you’d like to learn more about which option is best for your aesthetic goals, schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeons.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

The Two Most Popular Breast Implant Materials: Saline & Silicone

Breast implants augment natural breast tissue to create the desired size and shape. The implants sit between the breast tissue and chest muscles. Surgeons can insert breast implants in the chest, and there are numerous different techniques, materials, and customization options to choose between. Silicone breast implants and saline breast implants are the two most popular options for cosmetic augmentation and breast reconstruction.

What Is a Saline Implant?

A saline implant is a breast implant made of a hollow silicone shell. Surgeons can implant the empty silicone and then fill it with a sterile saline solution. Each implant has a port for easy filing through a valve, and medical professionals can adjust the amount of saline in the implant after surgery as needed.

What Is a Silicone Implant?

A silicone breast implant also has a solid silicone outer shell, and the inside is filled with silicone gel. The silicone gel replicates the look and feel of natural breast tissue, and you can choose from different sizes and firmness levels based on your current breasts and your preferred outcome.

Comparing Saline vs. Silicone Implants

When you’re deciding between saline vs. silicone implants, there are many different factors to weigh. These implants can be permanent, so understanding the differences (especially how saline vs. silicone implants look) is crucial for a look you love year after year.

Cost of the Silicone vs Saline Implants

Silicone implants have approximately double the cost of saline implants. Silicone implants are more expensive to produce, and there are also more size, shape, and firmness options available to choose between. Additional factors that can impact the total cost of the procedure are:

• Your location
• The experience of your plastic surgeon
• If you request supplemental procedures like breast lifts or have follow-up treatments to reduce the appearance of scars or stretch marks

Regardless of which type of implants you choose, keep in mind that most health insurance providers will not cover cosmetic surgery (outside of cancer-related breast reconstruction).

The Look of Silicone vs. Saline Implants

One of the biggest factors to consider is appearance. Both saline and silicone implants made today are far more realistic than in previous generations, so either option can be a good fit for your aesthetic goals. However, when you’re comparing saline vs. silicone implants, silicone products almost always look more realistic. The silicone gel filling the implant looks and feels more like breast tissue; it’s also firmer and won’t ripple or react to movement like liquid. Saline implants, on the other hand, do move around like liquid because they’re filled with a saline solution. While stationary saline breast implants look firm and round, they can wrinkle or ripple while you walk, jog, or move around.

The Safety of Your Implants

Both silicone and saline implants are safe. At 360 Surgery Center, our team has years of experience implanting, removing, and modifying many different types of breast implants, and we provide our patients with responsive care and resources for fast recovery. However, there are different advantages to either type:

• Saline implants are more likely to leak, but ruptures are easier to detect and diagnose.
• Silicone implants are less likely to leak, but ruptures are hard to detect, and leaked silicone remains trapped in adjacent tissue.

Saline vs Silicone Implants: What’s Best For You?

If you’re looking for high-quality breast augmentation, the team at 360 Surgery Center is here to help. Sign up for an in-person consultation with our team to learn more about the differences between silicone vs. saline before and after surgery and choose the perfect fit for your new look. Our team of tenured plastic surgeons can help you develop an aesthetic plan that will accomplish your goals with the latest surgical methods and materials. Our team has experience in a number of breast procedures, including breast augmentation, breast lifts, and even breast reductions.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 Samantha Nater 
 
 
 
  
Dr Arviv and her team are amazing ! From the moment you walk in the atmosphere and kindness is extended throughout the entire experience.
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 Rozet Mavashev 
 
 
 
  
Finding Dr. Arviv was life changing. I have been on a weight-release journey for many years and with the excess skin I didn't feel confident. Dr. Arviv changed that, working closely with her and her team I was able to get a full 360 understanding of what procedures were available to me, what the recovery looked like, and find the best financial plan to manage costs and make these options accessible to me with no added stress. What stands out most isn't just the care from start to finish but the follow-up and consistent communication I get from Dr. Arviv personally. Plastic surgery is a journey that takes time and care and her team gave me that. I recommend Dr. Arviv with no hesitation and suggest you take the consults seriously, prepare yourself, ask as many questions as you need to get the best understanding so that you can make an informed decision. 10/10!
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 dianna mohammed 
 
 
 
  
360 Surgery Center is amazing. I just can't recommend this place enough! From the moment I walked in, the staff was welcoming, professional, and truly made me feel comfortable. The entire team, from the consultation to the post-surgery care, was attentive and knowledgeable. They took the time to answer all my questions and made sure I understood every step of the process. Don't wait to book your consultation y'all!
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 Sunny Minds 
 
 
 
  
What stands out most about 360 Surgery Center is the personalized care, professional staff, cleanliness, and my RESULTS. I would highly recommend them to anyone considering liposuction or other plastic surgery procedures. They combine surgical expertise with compassionate care, making what could be a stressful experience much more comfortable.
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 Sherry Betesh 
 
 
 
  
I had a great experience, very clean and neat. The staff were all helpful and warm. Would highly recommend this facility.
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 David Siri 
 
 
 
  
Thank you for making it a comfortable experience.
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 Colin Hertzberg 
 
 
 
  
Very good experience. The surgery center is very clean and professional.
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 GEORGIA LESIEGE 
 
 
 
  
Dr Markalov is the most amazing plactic surgeon. His attention to detail is beyond reproach. The staff of Marla, Kit, Tatiana and Sharon are bar none. I highly recommend this surgery center
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 Christian Kozjak 
 
 
 
  
A huge thank you to Dr. Arviv, Dr Abdullah (surgeon), Marla (Surgeon) keloid excisions, and Erica (Superficial radiation therapy specialist).  Also a thank you to Renee and her friend (didn't get her name.  If you guys reply with her name I can add it).  To say that I'm happy with the way things went here is an understatement.  I flew in from Ohio and I'm basically keloid free now at the end of this visit. It's so surreal.  I know that these people genuinely care about me and I'm so grateful for the connections here.  If you want a welcoming, empathetic, family like, excellent care for your procedure, this is the plastic surgery center I recommend.  They are down to earth and very nice people who are far more qualified than Lexington plastic surgeons and a lot of Drs you see online.  Also significantly less expensive.  Thank you my friends at arviv
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
 
 

Image Credit: Tetiana Tychynska / Shutterstock