The question of whether silicone implants feel real is a common concern for individuals considering breast augmentation. The answer depends on the specific materials used and how the implant interacts with the body’s natural anatomy. Modern surgical techniques and advancements have made the tactile sensation remarkably close to natural tissue. The final feel is a personalized outcome shaped by the implant’s composition, its precise placement, and the patient’s own body characteristics.
Material Science and the Sensation of Silicone
The feel of a silicone implant begins with the proprietary gel filling, engineered to mimic the density and softness of natural breast tissue. This modern material is cohesive silicone gel, often described as having a consistency similar to a gummy bear. Unlike older, liquid silicone, the cohesive gel holds its shape even if the shell is compromised, helping maintain a natural contour and soft feel.
The degree of cohesiveness varies, ranging from soft, responsive gels to firmer gels. Softer gels feel more pliable and move more fluidly, while firmer gels hold their shape more rigorously, often preferred for anatomical implants. Compared to saline implants, silicone gel offers a superior texture match to the body’s own fatty tissue.
The implant’s outer shell, also made of silicone, influences the overall softness. Smooth-shelled implants are softer to the touch and allow for more movement within the tissue pocket. Textured-shelled implants, designed to encourage tissue adhesion, can sometimes feel slightly firmer.
How Anatomical Placement Affects Feel
The placement of the implant, either above or below the chest muscle, determines the final tactile experience. Submuscular placement, beneath the pectoral muscle, is often chosen for a softer, more undetectable feel. The muscle and existing breast tissue provide an extra layer of cushioning over the implant. This coverage helps obscure the implant’s edges, making the transition feel more gradual and natural.
This technique is beneficial for individuals with minimal natural breast tissue or a thin skin envelope. The submuscular position significantly reduces the risk of the implant’s border becoming easily palpable or visible, sometimes referred to as rippling. The muscle acts as a buffer, preventing the implant from being felt as a distinct object.
In contrast, subglandular placement positions the implant directly behind the breast gland and over the muscle, resulting in a quicker recovery. Without muscle coverage, the implant relies solely on the patient’s existing tissue for concealment. For a thinner patient, this placement can increase the likelihood that the implant’s upper edge may be felt more easily. Tissue thickness ultimately determines how well the implant is concealed and how soft the resulting breast feels.
The Tactile Experience and Changes Over Time
The immediate tactile experience is characterized by inherent softness, but two subtle differences from natural tissue are sometimes noted: temperature and movement. Because silicone lacks an internal blood supply, the implant can feel momentarily cooler to the touch than surrounding body tissue, especially after cold exposure.
The cohesive silicone gel is designed to mimic the natural movement of tissue under gravity and pressure. When a person lies down, a modern implant will flatten and move outward, similar to an unaugmented breast. The extent of this movement depends on the gel’s specific firmness.
Over the long term, initial post-surgical firmness gradually softens as tissues relax and the implant settles, a process called “dropping and fluffing.” The feel can be negatively altered by capsular contracture, a complication where the scar tissue capsule around the implant tightens. This tightening causes the breast to feel progressively harder than natural tissue.