Silicon is found naturally on Earth. It is so common, in fact, that it is the second most common element on the planet, after oxygen. It is found in rocks, sand, crystals, quartz, and many other naturally occurring substances. It is even used widely in processed foods, hair spray, hand lotion, gum and hundreds of other products that are used regularly. The human body is accustomed to silicone, and the previous claims that silicone breast implants cause autoimmune diseases and cancer have now been deemed false.
It is a myth that silicone implants raise the risk of breast cancer. Extensive studies were carried out in 2006 in Sweden in order to address this hypothesis. A definitive study examined any potential link between silicone and breast cancer, and it was conclusive that it does not raise the risk for the disease. An interesting twist from the study done in Sweden found that women who have silicone breast implants may actually have a reduced risk of breast cancer.
Implants made from silicone were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a period of fourteen years. During that time they were the focus of media controversy in the United States because of the public outcry that was based on false claims of disease caused by leaking silicone-based implants. As a consequence, the FDA restricted their use to breast reconstruction surgery only. Therein, cosmetic breast enhancements using silicon were banned. That left saline breast implants as the only cosmetic choice between 1982 and 1996. There are many benefits to using silicone over saline. For one, some women prefer silicone because it provides a more natural appearance and feels. With silicone, rippling is less likely to occur than with saline. The texture of the silicone is like gel, so it moves more naturally. Silicone can be positioned over the muscle and can be placed in women with very little breast tissue. Silicone breast implants are less likely than saline to be seen through the skin.
During those years that silicone gel implants were banned, several companies did massive amounts of research on the silicone gel used in breast implants. In November 2006, the FDA approved a new variety of implants. These are made of a silicone gel which cannot leak even if the implant shell is punctured. It is called MemoryGel or Cohesive Gel and has a very thick consistency so that it actually sticks to itself and does not run. It has been compared to the texture of a gummy bear.
Silicone implants come in round or teardrop-shaped, textured or smooth, in a variety of different sizes, and with three different incision sites from which to choose. Talk to a board certified plastic surgeon about which type of breast implant will work best with the shape of your body.
Silicone breast implants are now FDA approved and back on the market; safer than ever before. Today, silicone-based implants are designed with state-of-the-art technology to ensure women aren't exposed to additional risks above and beyond the norm.
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