If you have been thinking about undergoing a breast augmentation procedure to improve the appearance of your breasts, you will undoubtedly be in good company. According to data compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation was the number one performed cosmetic procedure in the United States in 2018, with over 313,000 such procedures performed.
The reasons why women choose to undergo breast augmentation to alter the appearance of their breast varies considerably from one woman to the next. More often than not, however, low self-esteem seems to be one of the more common denominators. Regardless of age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and several other factors, women want to look and feel their best. And having symmetrical and appropriately-sized breasts that complement their body type can go a long way toward accomplishing both of these goals.
The Surprising Truth About Breast Asymmetry
For those who are not familiar with breast asymmetry, it is a clinical term that refers to one breast being bigger in either shape or overall size compared to the other. According to an article published by the University of Utah, breast asymmetry is quite common. Most women with breast asymmetry will have one breast that is anywhere from 15 to 20 percent bigger or smaller than the other. And for many of these women, this condition makes fitting into their favorite bras and tops difficult.
Much like women with small breasts, those who have asymmetrical breasts also struggle with low self-esteem. For reference, a survey published by health.com, a trusted online resource that covers topics relative to women’s health, revealed that an estimated 71 percent of women are not satisfied with their breasts. To expound on this even further, 48 percent of female respondents stated that they wished their breasts were much larger, and 23 percent of respondents wished they had smaller breasts. The same survey also showed that women who are not satisfied with the shape, size, or symmetry of their breasts are more likely to struggle with low-self esteem. On that note, it is worth pointing out that only 29 percent of women surveyed admitted to being overall happy with the appearance of their breasts.
To better understand why some women have asymmetrical breasts while others have symmetrical ones, it helps to know a little more about breast development from puberty into womanhood. According to the same article published by the University of Utah, all women are born with two breast buds that start growing as soon as they begin puberty. When one of these buds grow faster than the other, it can lead to a disparity in breast size, which is not uncommon. In nearly all cases, this disparity will resolve itself when young girls transition out of puberty and become women. Unfortunately, however, some women still have asymmetrical breasts long after going through puberty. For this reason, many will seek the help of a licensed cosmetic surgeon to improve the appearance of their breasts.
New Trends in Breast Augmentation Procedures for 2020
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 88 and 12 percent of breast augmentations performed in 2018 involved the use of silicone and saline implants, respectively. While both options are still available, they are starting to be carried out in many new and innovative ways. It is worth noting that some of them can also benefit women who want to reduce their breast size or achieve more symmetrical-looking breasts. That said, some of the biggest trends in breast augmentation for 2020 include the following:
Gummy bear implants – This cute-sounding approach to breast augmentation is certainly gaining a lot of attention in 2020. Unlike traditional silicone, gummy bear implants are textured and cohesive silicone gel implants that do an excellent job when it comes to maintaining their shape. As a result, they tend to not only look but also feel more natural. What’s more, they are less likely to rupture compared to traditional silicone implants.
Under muscle breast implants – Similar to gummy bear implants, under muscle breast implants are becoming a go-to for women who want natural-looking breasts. In short, under muscle implants are saline implants that go under the chest muscle. Placing the implant beneath the chest muscle rather than above it provides more support for the implants, improves the overall shape of the breasts, and allows them to look more natural.
Non-incisional breast reduction – Studies show that most women naturally fall somewhere between an “A” and “DD” when it comes to cup size, DD being the largest. For women with a “DD” cup size or more, a non-incisional breast reduction might be worth considering. Although the procedure is technically called a non-incisional breast reduction, a breast implant surgeon in Naples FL, for example, will have to make a small incision in each breast to begin the procedure. From there, a cannula, which is a small tube that vibrates, is inserted into the breasts. The vibrating movements help break up the fat cells in the breasts, which results in them becoming smaller and lighter.
Fat transfer breast augmentation – Despite wanting bigger or more shapely breasts, some women are opposed to silicone and saline implants. And this likely explains why fat transfer breast augmentation is trending in 2020. As the name might suggest, fat transfer breast augmentation entails transferring fat from other parts of the body, such as the thighs, and injecting it into the breasts to make them larger. Consulting with experts specializing in the Best Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Philadelphia offers can help women achieve natural-looking results that align with their personal preferences. Generally speaking, a fat transfer augmentation can increase a woman’s breast size by as much as a half-cup while also contouring donor areas for a more balanced overall appearance.
Breast lifts – Although this type of breast augmentation has been around for some time, breast lifts are more in demand in 2020 than in previous years. According to most cosmetic surgeons, this goes back to the fact that women want natural-looking breasts. In short, a breast life entails removing excess skin and tightening the tissue around the breast to make them less saggy.
Bottom Line
In summary, if you’re interested in increasing or reducing the size of your breasts to improve their appearance, several new and innovative augmentation procedures can help. In some cases, these procedures might even be covered by private health insurance, especially if they are needed to resolve other health problems. One example could be back pain caused by disproportionately large breasts or if a woman has undergone a mastectomy to prevent or resolve breast cancer.
