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Breast Augmentation Trends Over the Years
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It is a normal human desire to want to look your best, though not everyone feels this way.
Obviously!
Throughout history, women, in general, were more attentive to this. Having an alluring look and attraction surely provided them with more attention, influence, and power. Female breasts clearly have a special place in this and for many reasons. Enhancing their appearance goes back many millennia, though up until relatively recently, approaches were rudimentary with limited results at best.
Breast Augmentation Defined
Breast augmentation is a procedure designed to enhance the size and affect the shape of a woman’s breasts. From its humble beginnings to modern advancements, this cosmetic surgery has evolved significantly, accompanied by technological advancements, attention to safety issues, and shifting cultural trends.
The following is a journey through the history, considerations, and breast augmentation trends over the years.
Early Beginnings
The concept of breast augmentation traces back to ancient civilizations, where various methods were used to enhance breast size and shape. In ancient Egypt, women reportedly used mixtures of herbs and oils to increase breast fullness. Similarly, ancient Greek and Roman cultures explored the use of padded garments and natural substances to achieve a desired breast appearance.
19th and Early 20th Century
The 19th and early 20th centuries saw the emergence of more invasive techniques for breast augmentation. Procedures such as fat grafting, where fat tissue from other parts of the body was injected into the breasts, were attempted with limited degrees of success. However, these early methods were often associated with substantial complications and limited long-term results.
Silicone Implants and Modern Advancements
The development of silicone breast implants in the 1960s revolutionized breast augmentation surgery. Silicone implants offered a more natural look and feel than previous materials, increasing popularity among patients and surgeons. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, refinements in implant materials, shapes, and surgical techniques further improved the safety, effectiveness, and results of breast augmentation procedures.
Breast Implants: Safety Concerns and Oversight
Along with advancements in breast augmentation technology, the safety of the implants has been a significant consideration. Studies throughout the years have assessed any relevant issues. In the early 1990s, silicone breast implants came under even greater scrutiny with federal government involvement, specifically the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which was, to a significant extent, politically motivated. As a result of federal involvement, restrictions were imposed on the usage of silicone implants as extensive safety evaluations were conducted. This action markedly limited the choices and outcomes for breast surgery for millions of women who could only use the generally less desirable saline implants. The consequences of this are still being felt today.
Finally, at the end of 2006, restrictions on the usage of silicone implants were lifted.
Even Greater Emphasis on Data and Patient Education
An even greater amount of data is being collected today on both saline and silicone breast implants. This provides the ability to detect issues and trends as well as keep women informed of important and relevant issues–those who already have had breast implants as well as those who are considering them.
Though informed consent–making sure that patients are aware of all the relevant information on the procedure that they are considering–has always been an important tenet of patient care, it too often was not being done thoroughly enough. Today, there are far greater structures and guidelines that are mandated to make sure that patients are far more informed of the relevant information and issues, including safety ones.
Changing Trends in Breast Augmentation
Over the years, breast augmentation trends have evolved in response to changing cultural tastes, aesthetic preferences, and technological advancements. Some notable trends include:
Natural Results
There has been a growing preference for more natural-looking breast augmentation results, with patients often choosing subtle enhancements that complement their overall body proportions rather than more dramatic results.
Customization
Surgeons now offer personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. This custom approach includes selecting the most suitable implant size, shape, silicone gel cohesiveness, and placement technique to achieve optimal results.
Fat Injections
For some women who do not want breast implants yet want to have their breasts enlarged, breast augmentation using fat may be an option. The results, however, are often limited, and the cost can be fairly prohibitive.
Focus on Safety
Along with advancements in implant technology and surgical techniques, safety has become an even greater focus in breast augmentation procedures. Experienced plastic surgeons and breast surgery specialists prioritize techniques that minimize the risk of complications while maximizing patient satisfaction and long-lasting outcomes.
Future Directions in Breast Augmentation
The future of breast augmentation will likely be shaped by continued advancements in technology, unrelenting emphasis on patient safety, and evolving societal attitudes toward beauty and body image. From further refinements in implant materials and techniques to the integration of 3D imaging and virtual reality in preoperative planning, the field of breast augmentation is poised for continued innovation and improvement.
Breast Augmentation Specialist in Phoenix, AZ
Breast augmentation has evolved remarkably throughout history, though most tremendously since the early 1960s, with revolutionary, modern surgical techniques. Despite safety concerns and changing trends, advancements in technology and patient care have transformed breast augmentation into a safe, highly personalized procedure that can provide women with the results they are seeking.
Dr. Steven H. Turkeltaub is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a cosmetic breast surgery specialist, providing breast augmentation with the highest level of care in the Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, area. As the field of plastic surgery continues to evolve, Dr. Turkeltaub’s focus remains on achieving optimal breast surgery aesthetics while prioritizing patient safety and satisfaction.
To learn more about your Phoenix breast augmentation options, call our Scottdale office today at 480.451.3000.