Breast Augmentation and Liposuction Blog - Dr. Bottger

For breast augmentation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves saline-filled breast implants for women age 18 and older and silicone-filled implants for women age 22 and older. These are age recommendations, not legal restrictions, and teens under age 18 are actually able to get breast augmentation as long as they have parental consent.

There are many reasons why it may be inappropriate for teens to undergo breast augmentation surgery:

• Women's breasts can continue to develop into the 20s, so the breasts they have at age 16 may look completely different at 23.
• Teenagers may not be mature enough to fully understand the potential risks and complications that can arise as a result of breast implants.
• On average, breast implants have a lifespan of 10 years, so getting implants at a young age can possibly require many additional surgeries over the patient's lifetime.
• Breast implants can impede milk production after pregnancy, so women who plan to become pregnant in the future may have difficulties breastfeeding.
• Body image is a hot topic with teenage girls, and some may feel that breast implants will help to make them more popular. This is not a healthy reason to get implants.

According to a February 2009 article, "the Italian Health Ministry is considering banning teenagers from undergoing breast augmentation surgery, citing the health risks" or medical complications that can occur when a woman is not fully mature. For now, there are no age bans in the United States.

The debate over what age is the appropriate age for breast augmentation will continue as long as there is no definitive legal restriction. If you are considering breast implants for your teenager and would like to discuss the decision with Dr. David Bottger, please contact us today for a free breast implant age analysis consultation. We serve patients in Delaware and in and around the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.