Breast implants are a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that involves the insertion of silicone or saline implants to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. While breast augmentation surgery has become increasingly common in recent years, the history of breast implants dates back to the early 20th century. In this article, we will explore the history of breast implants, including their invention and development over the years.
Early Attempts at Breast Augmentation
The first attempts at breast augmentation surgery date back to the early 20th century, when surgeons attempted to enhance the size and shape of the breasts using a variety of materials, including paraffin wax, ivory, glass balls, and even ox cartilage. However, these early attempts at breast augmentation were largely unsuccessful, as the materials used often caused infections, inflammation, and other complications.
The Invention of Silicone Breast Implants
In the 1960s, two plastic surgeons from Texas, Frank Gerow and Thomas Cronin, invented the first silicone breast implants. These implants consisted of a silicone shell filled with a silicone gel, and were designed to provide a more natural look and feel than previous breast augmentation methods.
The first silicone breast implants were initially used to reconstruct breasts that had been removed due to cancer, but soon became popular for cosmetic purposes as well. By the 1970s, silicone breast implants had become one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States.
Controversies and Safety Concerns
Despite the popularity of silicone breast implants, concerns about their safety began to emerge in the 1980s. Some studies suggested that silicone breast implants could cause autoimmune diseases and other health problems, leading to lawsuits and regulatory action by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In 1992, the FDA imposed a moratorium on the use of silicone breast implants for cosmetic purposes, citing concerns about their safety. However, silicone breast implants were still approved for use in breast reconstruction surgery and in clinical trials.
The Development of Saline Breast Implants
In response to the concerns about the safety of silicone breast implants, saline breast implants were developed as an alternative. Saline breast implants consist of a silicone shell filled with sterile saline solution, and are considered to be safer than silicone implants.
Saline breast implants were first approved by the FDA in 2000, and have since become a popular alternative to silicone breast implants. While saline breast implants do not provide the same natural look and feel as silicone implants, they are considered to be safer and have a lower risk of complications.
Recent Advances in Breast Implant Technology
In recent years, breast implant technology has continued to advance, with new materials and techniques being developed to improve the safety and effectiveness of breast augmentation surgery. For example, “gummy bear” breast implants, which are made of a more cohesive silicone gel, are designed to provide a more natural look and feel than traditional silicone implants.
Other advances in breast implant technology include the use of fat grafting, in which a patient’s own fat cells are harvested and injected into the breasts to enhance their size and shape. While fat grafting is still considered to be an experimental procedure, it shows promise as a safer and more natural alternative to traditional breast implants.
Conclusion
Breast implants have come a long way since their early beginnings in the early 20th century. While early attempts at breast augmentation were often unsuccessful and even dangerous, the invention of silicone breast implants in the 1960s revolutionized the field of cosmetic surgery and made breast augmentation a popular and relatively safe procedure.
Despite controversies and safety concerns over the years, breast implant technology has continued to advance, with new materials and techniques being developed to improve the safety and effectiveness of breast augmentation surgery. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that breast implants will continue to evolve and improve, providing patients with safer and more effective options for enhancing the size and shape of their breasts.
FAQs
When did breast implants become common?
Breast implants began to gain popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, primarily for cosmetic augmentation purposes. Since then, advancements in surgical techniques and implant technology have made breast augmentation one of the most common cosmetic procedures worldwide.
Who was the first woman to have breast implants?
The first woman to undergo breast augmentation with silicone implants was Timmie Jean Lindsey in 1962. She received the implants as part of a clinical trial conducted by plastic surgeons Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow.
Did they have breast implants in the 70s?
Yes, breast implants were available in the 1970s. This decade marked significant advancements in breast augmentation surgery and implant technology, leading to increased popularity and acceptance of the procedure.
Did breast implants exist in the 50s?
While breast augmentation procedures were performed in the 1950s, they were less common and utilized different materials compared to modern implants. Surgeons experimented with various substances, including silicone injections and materials like polyethylene, before the development of cohesive silicone gel implants in the 1960s.
