As cosmetic surgery becomes more widely accepted, more women of all ages are considering breast augmentation. There’s no doubt that the media still focuses a lot of attention on beauty and appearance, and for decades younger women have placed great stock in their looks. When is a woman “ready” to have breast augmentation, and how young is too young? The answers to these questions involve several considerations, and the topic continues to be a controversial one.
FDA Rules and Recommendations
Women of any age are able to undergo breast reconstruction surgery, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has outlined specific age recommendations for both saline-filled and silicone gel implants for augmentation purposes.
- Saline-filled implants have been approved for women age 18 and older.
- Silicone gel-filled implants have been approved for women age 22 and older.
Physical Maturity
Just meeting the minimum age for breast implant surgery isn’t the only consideration when determining a woman is a good candidate for breast augmentation. It’s essential to consider physical and emotional maturity as well.
As we know, just because a person has reached a certain age doesn’t necessarily mean that her body has fully developed. Many women develop differently at different ages, and it’s crucial to wait until your body and breasts are fully developed.
Emotional Maturity
Women considering breast implants need to exhibit emotional maturity and mental stability. Understanding how augmentation will affect your life is vital, and choosing to get implants must be a well-informed decision made with confidence. It may be necessary to delay getting breast implants until emotional maturity is reached.
The FDA-approved ages of 18 and 22 are the only governmental guidelines for breast implants, but both emotional and physical maturity need to be assessed on an individual basis before a cosmetic surgeon will perform breast augmentation.
Author: Dr. Joseph Castellano
Dr. Joseph Castellano is a native Floridian who grew up in the Tampa Bay area. After medical school and residency, Dr. Castellano returned home and has opened a practice in Tampa, Florida focusing on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, and eyelid rejuvenation. He is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
