Breast implant types and how to choose the right one

Medically reviewed by Mr Ashley Topps / Mr Petros Yiannoullou, Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeons. Last reviewed: July 2026. This article is general information and is not a substitute for a consultation.

There is no single “best” breast implant. The right implant is the one that suits your body, your tissue and the result you want, chosen with a surgeon who operates on the breast regularly. Understanding the main choices helps you have a more informed conversation at your consultation. Implants vary by what they are filled with, the shell, the shape, the projection, the size, where they sit and how they are placed.

Saline or silicone

Implants are filled with either a salt water solution (saline) or a silicone gel.

Silicone gel is the most widely chosen in the UK. Modern gels are cohesive, meaning they hold together rather than running if the shell is damaged. The most cohesive of these are sometimes called “gummy bear” implants. Silicone tends to feel more like natural breast tissue, which is why most women and surgeons prefer it.

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water, often after they are placed, which can allow a smaller incision. If a saline implant ruptures it deflates noticeably and the fluid is harmlessly absorbed by the body. Some women find saline feels firmer and is more prone to rippling, particularly if there is little natural tissue.

The shell: smooth or textured

The outer shell can be smooth or textured. Texturing was developed to help hold implants in position, but because textured implants have been linked more closely with the rare condition BIA-ALCL, many surgeons now favour smooth implants. Your surgeon will explain which they recommend for you and why.

Shape: round or anatomical

Round implants give fullness across the whole breast, including the upper part, and cannot look misshapen if they rotate. Anatomical or “teardrop” implants have more volume in the lower part to mimic the natural slope of the breast. The right shape depends on your starting point and the look you are after.

Profile and projection

Profile describes how far the implant projects forwards from the chest. Implants come in low, moderate and high profiles. For a given volume, a higher profile projects more from a narrower base, while a lower profile spreads wider. Profile is matched to the width of your chest and the effect you want.

Size and volume

Implant size is measured in cubic centimetres, not bra cup size, because cup size is not standardised. Size is not simply a matter of going as large as possible. It is chosen around your chest measurements, how much natural tissue you have to cover the implant and the long term health of your tissues. Going too large for your frame increases the chance of problems such as rippling, thinning of the tissue and the breast dropping over time. Getting the proportion right is what produces a natural, lasting result.

Where the implant sits: placement

There are two common positions:

Over the muscle (subglandular), behind the breast tissue but in front of the chest muscle. This can suit women with enough natural tissue and may mean an easier recovery.

Dual plane, a widely used approach where the implant sits partly under the muscle and partly under the tissue, aiming to combine the benefits of both. This gives more tissue coverage over the top of the implant, which can look more natural in slimmer patients.

The best plane depends on your anatomy, your tissue and your goals.

Incision options

The implant is inserted through a small incision, most commonly in the crease under the breast (inframammary), which gives good access and a discreet scar. Other options include around the lower edge of the areola (periareolar) or, less commonly, through the armpit (transaxillary). Your surgeon will recommend the approach that fits your anatomy and the implant chosen.

How implants are made

Implants are manufactured to strict standards, with a silicone outer shell and either a cohesive silicone gel or saline fill. Reputable, CE marked manufacturers test their devices extensively and provide warranties and traceability information. We will tell you exactly which implants we are using.

Implants are not forever

Whatever you choose, implants are not lifetime devices and may need replacing at some point, whether because of a complication or a change in your wishes over the years. Staying under review and attending follow up appointments means any issue is picked up early.

How to choose

The decision is best made together at a consultation. We assess your chest measurements and tissue, listen to the result you want, and let you try sizers so you can get a feel for different volumes. From there we recommend the combination of fill, shell, shape, profile, size and placement that gives you a natural result that lasts. There is rarely one single right answer, which is exactly why a careful, unrushed consultation matters.

References

• NHS – overview of breast enlargement.
• Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) and British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) – patient information on implant selection.
• MHRA – guidance on implant texturing and BIA-ALCL.