Are saline breast implants likely to ripple or wrinkle?
As a Richmond plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I’ve met with countless breast augmentation patients. One of the most common concerns they have about their implant options is whether saline implants are likely to visibly ripple or wrinkle.
Here, I share what the research says, and why implant wrinkling is unlikely with a skilled surgeon who can help you choose the right implant for your anatomy.
What the research shows
According to a 3-year study comparing the rate of rippling in saline vs. silicone breast implants placed under the muscle, there was no significant difference: Ultrasound scans detected ripples in 24% of women with saline implants and 27% of women with silicone implants. Women who experienced visible implant rippling, again without a notable difference in implant type, had lower BMIs. In short: rippling is more likely if you have less body fat.
The amount of natural breast tissue coverage, as well as implant placement, affect the likelihood of visible implant ripples.
The concern about saline breast implant wrinkling has been used as a selling point for silicone breast implant manufacturers. Many patients prematurely choose silicone implants to avoid a concern that, in reality, affects all implant types and may not even be applicable to them based on their body type.
But, there are several factors I consider to both avoid implant wrinkling and minimize the appearance of ripples if they do occur:
The amount of breast tissue. Think of it this way: If you have a bedsheet’s worth of breast tissue to cover the implant, wrinkling may show through your skin. However, if you have a comforter’s worth of breast tissue covering the implant, potential wrinkling will not likely be visible. Depending on your natural breast tissue, I will recommend a range of implant options and explain why these will work best for you.
Implant width and profile. These characteristics are far more important than implant size. The implant width should match, or be slightly less than, your breast diameter. The profile or the degree of projection—how far the implant projects out from the chest wall—will also be something we discuss during a consultation. For example, if you have a petite frame, an implant with a higher profile (instead of a larger implant) provides a volume increase without extending past your breast’s natural diameter so your breast tissue can better cover the implant and help conceal any rippling that may occur.
Strategic implant placement. In most cases, particularly for patients with thin breast tissue, placing implants under the chest muscles (submuscular implant placement) is preferable. This provides an added layer of tissue surrounding them. (Of course, with adequate breast tissue, we can also place implants over the muscle (subglandular implant placement) without concerns of visible implant wrinkling.)
Choosing an implant that is too wide or too large can lead to visible rippling.
Preventing a ripple effect from saline breast implants
Because saline implants are custom-filled, inexperienced surgeons may not properly fill the implant to achieve the desired volume and avoid wrinkling (silicone implants come pre-filled in specific sizes). Saline implants are filled once they are situated in the breast pocket—and both underfilling and overfilling can cause rippling. For each breast, I carefully gauge the “Goldilocks” amount of saline solution to prevent filling-related implant wrinkling.
Significant weight loss after surgery may also worsen any potential wrinkling.
For all breast implant placements, I meticulously create a surgical pocket based on your anatomy and the size and shape of the implant in order to securely hold it in place and to decrease the chance of rippling.
So, how do I know which implant type is right for me?
The best thing you can do is to meet with me (or a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area) for a consultation. I can determine if a particular implant will better suit your unique anatomy and help you make an informed choice among all your options. There is no pressure to choose either saline or silicone—in my experience, no one will know what kind of implant you have unless you tell them.
Richmond breast augmentation
Breast augmentation is an art, and I am committed to guiding you through every step of this transformative journey. If you are considering saline breast implants and have concerns about rippling, I would be happy to discuss your options and explore what’s best for your body. To schedule your consultation, please call 804-355-3410 to talk with our friendly patient care team.