Breast implants don’t have to be big to make an impressive difference: Even small implants can improve the shape, symmetry, and projection of the breasts. As trends have shifted away from buxom bodies and embraced the classic hourglass figure, more women have discovered that subtle breast augmentations are generally the most flattering. Today, women are increasingly opting for smaller breast implants, for all of the reasons outlined below:
4 Reasons Why More Women are Choosing Smaller Breast Implants
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Confidentiality
Not everyone wants to share the fact that they’ve had breast augmentation with the world. Opting for smaller implants allows women to improve their contours without attracting unwanted attention. This advantage is often particularly important to career-focused women, who don’t want their decision to have breast augmentation to affect how they’re perceived in the workplace.
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Different aesthetic goals
When breast augmentation surgery was first developed, it was viewed solely as a way to make the breasts substantially larger. Today, we know that implants are much more versatile than we initially thought: By providing support for existing breast tissue, breast implants can make the breasts look rounder and perkier—without necessarily creating a dramatic increase in size. Breast implants are therefore a great way to correct certain aesthetic breast issues, like mild ptosis (sagging) and asymmetry.
Younger women are proactively using breast augmentation to improve their breast contours, hoping to emulate the slim yet feminine physique of models like Gigi Hadid. Meanwhile, mature women who have lost a significant amount of weight, had children, or experienced menopause are using breast augmentation surgery to replace breast volume they’ve lost. This is why breast augmentation has become a standard part of the mommy makeover.
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The promise of better results
To create truly natural-looking breast augmentation results, plastic surgeons do their best to disguise the edges of a patient’s implants within her existing breast tissue. The top half of each implant is generally placed just below the patient’s pectoral muscles, while the bottom half of each implant is covered by fat and glandular tissue. Adequately covering large implants is more difficult than covering small ones, especially when the patient is naturally an A or B cup. As such, large implants carry a higher risk of looking overly round or sitting too high on the chest wall than small implants. Small implants are also much more flattering on petite women, as they don’t overwhelm more diminutive features.
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Fewer lifestyle restrictions
Young women are leading healthier, more active lifestyles than their mothers did. According to a study conducted by the Physical Activity Council (PAC) in 2018, over half of all Millennials and 65% of Generation Z report engaging in regular exercise. High-intensity activities (like running and HIIT training) have also steadily increased in popularity over the last decade. This generational shift towards sustained cardiovascular fitness has made smaller, lighter implants the most practical choice for many young women.
If you aren’t happy with the shape or size of your breasts, don’t let outdated ideas about breast augmentation hold you back from pursuing cosmetic surgery. Whether you decide to try breast implants or have your breasts surgically lifted, there’s a way to achieve the round, full, youthful-looking breasts you deserve. To learn more about aesthetic breast procedures, contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Maida Parkins to arrange a consultation.
