Can hot/cold water muscle therapy damage my silicone breast implants?

Question

Hi, thanks.... I do full body hot (about 108 degrees F) & cold (about 69 degrees F) water pool therapy for muscle pain about once a week for about 45 minutes. I am concerned that the extreme & rapid shift of temperatures may cause wear & tear on my silicone implants with the expand/contract effect & perhaps cause me issues sooner than later. I've had the implants for 3 years. Thoughts?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Full body hot water pool therapy (~180 degrees F) and cold (~69 degrees F) should not damage implants as long as the temperatures are safe for the human body. The temperature would have to reach 392°F for silicone to melt.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thank you for your recent question!  There is no data listed anywhere that supports the break down of implants with heat.  I say its okay to continue with your heat therapy treatments and continue to have your implants checked on a yearly to every other year check.

Jonathan Saunders, MD · Answer

your therapy will not harm your implants.............................................................

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Hot/cold water therapy should  not affect your implant rupture risk. Best,
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.
  
Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

Ira H. Rex lll, MD · Answer

I don't think you should have any concern about hot and cold therapy. The implant is very resistant to the these extremes of temperature and should not even the weakened or otherwise affected.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear TallCoolGingerAle,
Hot/cold water muscle therapy should have no effect on your implants. If you have any concerns it is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

No, you therapy should not be a problem for your implants, since your implant are inside your body and your core temperature probably does not vary much with treatment.

Shaun Parson, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question. There’s no data that would suggest that type of therapy can have an adverse effect on breast implants. That type of therapy is typically used by physical therapists for contraction of smooth muscle. Many pro sports teams use these therapies when athletes are injured. It helps to remove swelling from soft tissue spaces. That type of temperature shift or smooth muscle contraction won’t have any adverse affect on your implants longevity. Hope this helps.

Jeffrey Nelson, MD · Answer

Your hot and cold therapies won't damage your implants at all, but you may find you feel the temperature differences differently in your breasts than in other areas of your body depending on how much native breast tissue have. As an example some people who love to snow ski find their breasts stay cold a long time after they get off the mountain if they got very cold that day. It's not hurting them or the implant, but they can tell that it feels different. Don't worry, do what you need to get your good muscle recovery.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

even if in rapid sequence, will not  harm or shorten the life of your implants.  Don't worry about it and hope the therapy works for you.

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Can hot/cold water muscle therapy damage my silicone breast implants?

Answers (13)

BREAST IMPLANTS PROVIDERS NEAR YOU