Because of their ability to add volume to different areas of the face, dermal fillers have gained immense popularity for reversing signs of ageing and making the skin look plump. However, this has also led to fillers being used in other areas of the body to increase volume – one of them being the breasts.
The idea of breast fillers being “minimally invasive” with “minimal downtime” has certainly allowed it to gain some popularity when it comes to different treatment options for breast augmentation. In spite of this, many practitioners remain concerned about this procedure’s safety.
Can You Get Fillers In The Breast?
Some practices offer dermal fillers for the breasts with the goal of enhancing their volume. Different types of fillers might be used for this, such as:
- Sculptra – Which is made with poly-L-lactic acid and can stimulate the production of collagen.
- Aquafilling – A copolyamide filler which is used for breast augmentation, although it has many reported complications.
- Macrolane – A hyaluronic acid filler, which was taken off the market in 2012 as it interfered with the screening of breast cancer.
- Renuva – Which is a “biocompatible, extracellular matrix” with “growth factors, proteins and collagen” and is replaced by the fat in the individual’s own body over time, leading to volume restoration, per its own website.
- PAAG – Polyacrylamide hydrogel filler, which has been used for breast augmentation. In 2006, it was banned by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration due to serious complications, such as malignant breast tumours, hematoma, pain, leakage, contour issues, and changes in skin sensation, among others, as reported in a study published in the Annals of Translational Medicine. The authors reported cases of 325 women who had received 140-1,000 mL of PAAG filler in both breasts. Following is an example of the complications experienced by some:
There are different reasons why someone may choose to get breast fillers besides wanting to increase breast size. For instance, it might be opted to fix any asymmetry between the breasts or to add volume after implant insertion. But over the years, there have been concerning reports regarding the safety of breast fillers.
Is Filler Safe For Breast?
In an article published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) – Global Open, the following complications from breast fillers were noted:
- Infection
- Hematoma
- Lump/nodules
- Septic shock
- Migration
Complications of different types of fillers have also been reported in different researches. The earlier mentioned Macrolane, which was withdrawn from the market due to the issue with breast cancer screening, was reported to cause infections and dislocation in a case report published in Gland Surgery. The authors reported a patient whose Macrolane filler had migrated to a lymph node in the armpit, causing pain and swelling and which had to be surgically removed.
Copolyamide fillers have similarly sparked concerns, with the authors of a study published in JPRAS Open noting how it can be difficult to differentiate this filler from a “malignant lesion,” or it may potentially hinder breast cancer from being seen on mammography. Another research in PRS Global Open also outlined certain complications believed to be a result of copolyamide filler, including:
- Mastalgia (breast pain)
- Migration
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Nodular lesions
The safety of breast fillers for augmentation is quite controversial, and it’s best that you consult an experienced and board-certified medical professional if you’re considering this treatment.
Is Breast Filler Painful?
Breast filler treatment is usually done under local anaesthesia, which means that you should not experience any pain or discomfort during the treatment. If you are experiencing pain afterwards, make sure that you inform your practitioner about it.
How Long Do Breast Fillers Last?
The longevity of your breast fillers can depend on the type of filler being used. For instance, Macrolane and Sculptra can last for around 2 years; they’re temporary. Renuva, on the other hand, is considered more permanent – although the product itself is removed by the body, the fat cells that gather in the target area are meant to be there for the long term.
What Are The Cons Of Breast Fillers?
The risk of potential complications and problems in the diagnosis of breast cancer, as mentioned above, are some of the cons of breast fillers. Additionally, however, the cost can be a huge downside of this treatment.
For the amount of filler needed to increase the volume of the breasts, the cost can be extremely high. For example, a review published in JPRAS Open noted as much as 20 to 300 mL of filler being injected per breast in different studies. Depending on how much volume you want to achieve and whether or not you’re getting both breasts injected, the prices can obviously vary.
Still, assuming an mL of a filler can cost around £300, and your practitioner injects 50 mL or so per breast, the cost can be up to £30,000, which is astronomically high. Not to forget, if the filler you’re getting is temporary, getting filler injections multiple times can cost you far too much.
Of course, the prices can differ depending on a number of factors, and you should always do your own research, but it can still be a hindering factor.
What Are The Alternatives To Breast Fillers?
Breast augmentation surgery is popularly done using implants – with both saline and silicone implants being considered safe. The results of this treatment can also last for 10-20 years. However, like any surgery, it also carries certain risks, which you should always discuss with your surgeon. And before that, you should do your due diligence in finding a good surgeon.
Fat transfer is also used to increase the size of the breast. In this, fat is harvested from one area of the body using liposuction and then placed into the breasts. While it can work, there are certain issues with it, one of them being the absorption of fat by the body (up to 50% of the original). This means that you can lose breast volume, and your results can be unpredictable compared to implants.
But again, it’s best to convey your expectations and desired results to your surgeon and discuss the different treatment options before making a final decision.
Conclusion
While breast fillers might seem like a quick and easy way to increase breast size, there are a number of safety issues that you need to take into consideration. They can also be too expensive, especially considering their temporary nature. For these and other reasons, you might not be recommended this treatment by your doctor.
Reviewed and approved by Prof. Dr. Fuat Yuksel
