Is It Against the Law to Put Silicone Implants in an 18 Year Old?

asked 1 year ago by km100 in Winnetka, IL
Latest answer by Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Question viewed 299 times
Tags: age 18-24, silicone implant, candidate

I am 18 years old and I am starting consultations for a breast augmentation next week. I have recently learned about the 22 year old age restriction with silicone implants. Is it illegal for plastic surgeons to insert silicone implants on an 18 year old or is it just advised against? Is the decision ultimately up to the doctor? I have heard saline implants don't feel as natural and are harder and I would rather have silicone because of that. Do you have any recommendations?

8 answers to Is It Against the Law to Put Silicone Implants in an 18 Year Old?

There is not a law against silicone under age 22

Keep in mind that I am not a lawyer, though there is a label requirement by the FDA which indicates silicone gel has not been studied or approved for use for primary breast augmentation under age 22. I don't think anyone will go to jail for a off label use of a silicone gel breast implant under age 22. We do use gel in some patients under age for breast reconstruction, and do believe the current restriction is arbitrary. Still though you should not discount the saline breast implant... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Silicone implants in an 18 year old are NOT illegal.

The FDA, as of November 2006, has approved the use of silicone gel breast implants for elective first-time cosmetic breast enlargement in women over the age of 22. Use of silicone gel implants in women under age 22 would be considered "off-label" use, much as Botox used to treat "crow's feet" periorbital wrinkles (the FDA approves Botox Cosmetic only for the treatment of glabellar frown lines--other areas are considered "off-label" use). I support the... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

It is not against the law for 18 to 21 year olds to use silicone implants

Medical devices and drugs are studied and approved by the FDA for United States citizens. The studies are limited in scope so the approval of a devices is limited to the parameters that were studied. Silicone breast implants had scientifically valid numbers for women above the age of 22 so this is why the FDA stated that 22 years is the starting age for silicone implants. Medical devices and drugs are used in an "off label" manner all of the... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Age restriction on silicone implants?

In Canada we do not have age restriction. choosing implants is a decision you and your surgeon make

Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

Is it Illegal to use Silicone Breast Implants in patients under the age of 22?

Unfortunately, Yes! This is an FDA ruling that we are stuck with. I usually recommend patients wait until they are 22. If you get saline at 18, you may or may not be happy with them. I believe they are a sub-optimal implant and a far step down from silicone. If it were me, I would wait. I always tell patients.... I have never removed a silicone implant because someone "wants" saline. However, I often remove saline because a... more

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

Silicone implants and age

The FDA has mandated that silicone breast implants can not be used in women under 22. I know that I will do not offer this to patients under 22. I do not think this is like a drug that can be used "off-label" using it in people under 22.