History of Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants were first developed in 1961 by Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow and first used in 1962. Since the earliest model there have been five major revisions to silicone implants in an attempt to make them more natural and safer.

After the first generation of silicone breast implant products proved to be too stiff and unnatural feeling, some changes were made in the 1970s to make the shell thinner in order to give them a more natural feel. Though the implants proved to provide more give and make them feel more natural, they also had a larger risk of bleeding and causing serious medical conditions, including increased risk of cancer.

Significant Historical Breast Implant Developments

Through the 1980s there were significant developments in science and technology which led to the third and fourth generation of silicone implants. By improving both the outer shell and the filler, the risk of leakage was significantly reduced, though there was still and still is such a risk. The new developments also allowed for the development of different sized and shaped implants to help them appear more natural based on the woman's overall body. Another benefit to these implants was the fact that they are less likely to shift in the body (unlike saline breast implants which are known to shift, ripple, and wrinkle).

Latest Generation of Silicone Implants

The latest generation of silicone implants is widely used outside of the U.S. but is still in early stages of use in the United States. The newest implants are a solid, high-cohesive, form-stable implant that make it very unlikely that the will shift in the body and are much safer than old models. You should speak with your surgeon about these types of breast implants and the options to make the best decision for your needs.

Cosmetic surgery procedures continue to grow in popularity as surgeons and other medical experts design new technology and techniques that increase the efficacy of procedures while minimizing pain and downtime associated with treatment. According the 2007 report recorded by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation surgery and liposuction were the top performed procedures of the year.