Silicone Breast Implants for a 21 Year Old?

I am a 34/36 A right now and would like to be a full B cup. I am still unsure on whether to get saline or silicone breast implants. I am only 21 years old and really do not want to wait to get them, but I read that you have to be 22 to have silicone breast implants. Should I wait, or could saline breast implants work for me? I know I want them subpectoral, and I have a moderate amount of breast tissue already. My main concern, however, is visible rippling. Any suggestions?

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age 18-24 breasts A cup rippling female silicone implant B cup moderate subpectoral

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by pandab88 in Jonesboro, AR

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You can vote, drink, and die for your country, and yes, you can have silicone gel implants at age 21.

First of all, you should understand that you don't have to be 22 in order to receive silicone gel implants (made by any of the 3 implant companies in the US). Silicone implants under the age of 22 are perfectly legal and appropriate for patients who have fully informed consent, and understand that use of silicone implants under the age of 22 is considered "off-label" by the FDA. Off-label use is something that every doctor does frequently, when a medication is prescribed for another... more

Saline vs silicone gel breast implants in a 21 year-old

The FDA has restricted the use of silicone gel breast implants to women ages 22 and greater. So you have two choices: get saline now or get silicone gel next year. If you have a moderate amount of breast tissue and want the implants placed under the pec major muscle, I think that saline is a very reasonable choice. It is likely that you will feel some rippling, especially along the lower outer portion of the breasts (which is beyond the edge of the pec muscle). However,... more

Silicone Implants in 21 y/o

This question does require a full consultation in person but in general, I believe that silicone implants almost always look better than saline and that is what I recommend.

Gel implants for a 21 year old

In the US, gel implants are only available to women 22 and over. However, that does not mean you can not go for a consultation and get your questions answered. If you really want silicone gel implants, then I would wait until you are 22.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Can a 21 year old get silicone breast implants?

If you have a 34/36 A cup and would like to only be a full B, and have moderate breast tissue for coverage, then you will likely get a very good result from augmentation with a saline implant. In your situation it is likely that rippling will not play a significant role. On the other hand, if you feel that silicone implants are the ones you want then you should wait for one more year. The FDA recommends 22 years of age for silicone breast augmentation and you will likely not find a... more

Breast Augmentation and Silicone Implants

I would go see a board certified plastic surgeon and they can go over things in detail a bit more, as your situation is somewhat complicated. However, given what you have described to us, as long as you dont go too big and have some breast tissue for coverage, then you will likely be ok with saline implants. I agree silicone feel more like breast tissue and have less rippling, but if saline is used in an appropriate way, you should be fine. Other note is that it is unlikely that this would... more

The FDA has limited use of silicone implants to women 22 years of age and older.

The FDA has limited the use of silicone implants for augmentation to women over 22 years of age. That said there are so many decsions to make as to which implants, which incsions and the position ( under the muscle, under the breast tissue) that need to be made that it would be wise to have a consult ( or even more than one) with a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss all the options. There are advantages and disadvantages to each decision that you might not even be aware of and... more

My suggestion

Consider the following: 22 is the age for elective silicone gel augmentation minimum. You sound like you have not been evaluated yet, go do that. The best way to avoid ripples is with a smooth implant, submuscular placement, silicone gel. The doctor can evaluate your situation make recommendations. sek

Silicone breast implants in a 21-year-old

Although it's not illegal for a 21-year-old to get silicone breast implants, the FDA's recommendations are very clear: unless it's for breast reconstruction, silicone implants should not be placed in women under the age of 22 years. With the increasing popularity of silicone implants, many young women are not particularly pleased with this recommendation. The obvious benefit of silicone implants is that they look and feel more natural. They are also more expensive, though, and require a... more

Silcone breast implants under the age of 22 years

The FDA is straightforward in its recommendation that silicone implants be limited to those 22 years of age and older unless there are some compelling reasons such as a congenital breast asymmetry or failure of saline implants. Given your modest request of going to a B cup with moderate breast tissue, it is not likely that you will experience visible wrinkling. There are no right or wrong choices here; merely options for you to consider. If you desire silicone, which is slowly increasing in... more