From the History of Breast Implants to Their Types | Interview with the Director of Globi Plastic Surgery Clinic (Part 1)

When considering breast augmentation, the area that most people are curious about is information about ‘breast implants.’

What material they are made of, how safe they are, and which implant is right for me, among other things

A clear understanding of implants is an important factor that can affect satisfaction with the surgery.

Today, together with the chief physician at Globi Plastic Surgery Clinic, we will take a detailed look at the history of breast implants, their types,

and their safety.

The beginning of breast implants: liquid silicone

The earliest form of breast implants was ‘liquid silicone.’ It was a form in which the silicone inside would leak out if cut.

In the early days, this silicone was widely used because it was considered to have no major medical issues, but over time concerns arose that it could affect the human body if it leaked.

In the end, the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) withdrew approval for liquid silicone implants,

and saline implants began to be used as a substitute.

Saline implants had advantages in terms of safety, but satisfaction was lower in terms of feel and shape.

People often describe them as feeling like a ‘bouncy ball.’ In contrast, silicone implants in gel form

began to draw attention again because of their feel, which is similar to natural breasts,

and later, as the physical properties of silicone itself were improved, they evolved into today’s implants.

Modern breast implants are recognized again for their ‘safety’

In the 2000s, newly improved silicone was made so that even if it tore inside,

the gel would not leak out and would maintain its shape.

In other words, because it does not spread inside the body even in an emergency, concerns about the safety of breast implants were

largely resolved, and they once again came to be widely used around the world.

Today’s silicone gel breast implants are far superior to earlier implants in terms of shape, feel, and safety.

Saline implants are still used in some cases, but most patients choose silicone implants because they value feel and natural-looking results.

Are there any risks of breast implants bursting?

Because implants are artificially manufactured products, it is not possible to completely rule out the possibility of a rupture.

However, modern breast implants are manufactured with extremely sophisticated technology,

so under normal use the likelihood of rupture has become very low.

Examinations that press firmly on the breasts, such as mammography, can theoretically affect the implant,

but manufacturers say they are designed to withstand such procedures in practice.

However, for patients with implants, it is better to choose safer alternative tests such as ultrasound or MRI.

Types of breast implants: diversification of brands and technology

Representative breast implant brands currently used in Korea include Sebbin, Mentor, and Motiva.

Each implant has detailed differences in feel, shape retention, surface material, internal filler, and more,

so a customized choice is necessary, taking into account the patient’s body type, skin thickness, and expected results.

Each brand has specialized technology, so the surgical method may vary slightly as well.

When choosing a breast implant, rather than focusing only on the brand name, you should choose based on what result suits you best.

Now, breast implants are not simply materials for enlarging the breasts, but medical devices that also take biocompatibility and safety into account.

Concerns from the past have been largely addressed through technological advances, and implants that remain stable for a long time after surgery are now mainly used.

Ultimately, the important thing is to carefully assess the individual patient’s body type, expectations, and skin condition, and choose the breast implant and surgical method that are appropriate for them.

That is why an accurate diagnosis and sufficient consultation before surgery are necessary.

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Globi Plastic Surgery is a 1-minute walk from Exit 4 of Apgujeong Station on Subway Line 3

and is located on the 5th and 6th floors of the EGI Building, 843 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Consultation appointments are available on both weekdays and weekends.

All consultations are conducted privately, one-on-one.

For detailed inquiries and reservations, please contact us through the channel below.