What are the Differences Between Silicone Implants vs. Saline Implants?

Updated August 2025

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anh Tuan Truong

Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

silicone or saline breast implants? Chicago breast and body

Silicone implants over saline breast implants? This is one of the most common questions that come up when deciding on a breast augmentation procedure. There are plenty of breast implant options out there these days, and with choice comes the debate over which options are best.

While it’s true that every implant style has its own advantages, silicone implants have taken hold of the cosmetic surgery world and have become the option of choice for the majority of women. Silicone implants provide several advantages over saline:

1. Silicone implants have a more natural appearance.

Saline implants can give you a great look, but there’s a reason why silicone has overtaken them in popularity. Silicone implants offer a more natural-looking breast aesthetic. This is the primary concern for most women. The majority of breast augmentation patients enjoy results that look as natural as possible. While saline implants are sometimes known for creating a high, round breast appearance, silicone implants can appear more natural.

2. Silicone implants have a realistic touch.

Another distinct advantage to silicone is how realistic they feel. While texture doesn’t affect the appearance of your results, many women who get breast implants are also concerned about how their new breasts will feel to themselves or their partners. Silicone implants are comprised of a gel filling that many women feel closely resembles the texture of natural breast tissue.

3. Silicone implants maintain their shape.

Saline implants can provide great results, but implant technology has matured since its inception. Saline implants are more prone to movement and rippling while in the breast pocket, creating unattractive changes to the breast appearance that may need correcting by your surgeon.

Silicone implants may move in the breast pocket but are much more resistant to the rippling and folding effects that are sometimes seen in their saline counterparts. Silicone implants maintain their shape better over time and are less prone to issues that detract from their appearance.

silicone or saline implants, what's the difference?

Related Breast Augmentation Content

Photo of Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS

Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS – Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Truong specializes in advanced breast, body, and facial procedures, is a member of the elite Dr. Miami Squad, and serves as an Officer & Board Trustee for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.