Breast Implant Textures

After you have made the choice to have breast implant surgery, you must decide between two breast implant texture options: smooth and textured. On this page, we describe the differences between the two types to provide you with a better understanding so you can make an informed decision. You can also contact a DocShop breast implant specialist for more information.

Breast Implant Texture Options

The surface of a breast implant can either be smooth or textured. The surface of a smooth implant is as smooth as the surface of a balloon. The surface of a textured breast implant feels somewhat like sandpaper.

Smooth Implants

Smooth implants are used in roughly 90 percent of breast augmentation surgeries today. A smooth breast implant is able to move freely in the breast pocket in which it is placed. Smooth implants usually have thinner shells than textured implants, which makes them the softer choice of the two. Additional benefits of a smooth breast implant include implant longevity, lower patient cost, and reduced risk of rippling.

It was originally thought that the textured surface of an implant could reduce the possibility of capsular contracture, a potential complication of breast implants. However, because evidence is not clear and there is no consensus as to whether a textured breast implant actually reduces the possibility of capsular contracture, many doctors prefer to use smooth, round implants. Smooth implants are often placed under muscle tissue in order to help avoid capsular contracture.

Textured Implants

A textured breast implant has a rough outer surface in order to create cohesion between the implant and the surrounding tissue. This helps the implant maintain proper vertical alignment, a particular concern with teardrop breast implant shapes. Textured implants were originally designed to reduce the risk of capsular contracture. Capsular contracture takes place when the scar tissue around a breast implant grows and squeezes the implant, causing the breast to harden. However, the claim that textured implants do, in fact, reduce the risk of capsular contracture has not been conclusively proven in medical studies.

Textured breast implants have been associated with a higher rate of leaking and breast rippling than have smooth implants; however, textured implants have also been shown to decrease the risk of displacement.

For those concerned with breast augmentation cost, textured breast implants generally cost more than smooth implants. Women who are considering breast augmentation should choose a breast enhancement surgeon who has extensive training and experience with all aspects of breast implants and implant procedures to find out which breast implant type is best for them.

Find a Cosmetic Surgery Specialist near You

If you are considering breast augmentation or if you would like more information about breast implant textures, DocShop's extensive listings can help you find a breast augmentation surgeon in your area with whom you can arrange a consultation.