Age is a Factor in Breast Augmentation

Social trends are fascinating to observe; how the creep into just about every aspect of life. It isn’t uncommon to see a “new norm” every so often in things like clothing, hairstyles, the way we eat, how we exercise, and even how we think we should look. Plastic surgery trends have changed several times over decades of time. Twenty years ago, there was a prevalence of oversized breasts produced by the hands of skilled cosmetic surgeons. Today, not so much.

Interest in breast augmentation hasn’t waned; it still sits in the Number One seat for most popular cosmetic surgery. It isn’t that women aren’t getting breast implants; it’s that there may be a trend leaning toward smaller implants. According to one study, this desire for smaller breast implants is prominent among older women seeking enhancement. The interest in smaller implants among the older age categories is seen in initial procedures as well as revisional procedures. On the contrary, younger women still tend to request larger implants.

What Gives?

Plastic surgeons, as well as many patients, sometimes like to consider what factors lead to certain trends. When discussing breast augmentation, it is presumed that women may have different desires related to their appearance at different stages of life. Then, there is the matter of how the body naturally changes with age. Let’s look at the whole stage-of-life matter first. During her twenties and thirties, and maybe even into her forties, a woman may be keen on wearing a bikini with confidence. Women in their fifties and sixties often don’t share that desire. Becoming more conservative with age is a longstanding societal trend that shouldn’t surprise anyone.

The physical changes that occur with age coincide with a lean towards conservativism. A woman may carry a little more weight in her fifties and beyond than she did in her twenties and thirties. This increased weight increase breast size to the point where a breast lift would be more advantageous than full augmentation.

It’s Not Cut-and-Dry

Trends are trends, and we expect them to continually come and go. Women who are considering breast augmentation are encouraged to strongly consider their own personal values and preferences above all else, keeping in mind the fact that a different body-type comes into the limelight every few years. Breast augmentation is a big decision that doesn’t necessarily have to follow any particular rule. Trends aside, many women in an “older” age category choose larger breast implants to complement their physical frame.

Consult with an experienced cosmetic surgeon regarding your desired outcome from breast augmentation. Call 513.985.0850.