Wrinkling of implants

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Wrinkling of implants usually is felt because there is a lack of breast tissue to cover the implant so that the wrinkles will not be seen or felt. All implants can wrinkle. In my experience, silicone implants wrinkle less than saline implants, high profile implants wrinkle less then lower profile implants, and smooth implants wrinkle less then textured implants. Placing an implant under the muscle will increase “coverage” of the implant; and therefore, decrease the chance of feeling or seeing wrinkles even if they are present. Also tighter tissues (which include tightness from the placement under the muscle) will keep implants from wrinkling more than loose tissues. For example, take a Ziploc baggie or balloon full of water and press it against your chest. Now ease up on the pressure and note how the bag/balloon wrinkles more as you relax the pressure. The wrinkles tend to be more prominent at the top of the baggie or balloon. This is why placing implants under the pectoralis muscle helps decrease the chance of feeling the wrinkles in the upper chest over the top of the implant where the muscle covers the implant.

In summary, we can make choices which can decrease the chance of wrinkling, or at least the chance of feeling the wrinkles. Unfortunately, no implant is perfect and as surgeons we cannot eliminate wrinkles. We can identify patients at higher risk for feeling these wrinkles and decrease this possibility with the choices we make together with the patients regarding implant placement and the type of implant we decide to place.

The person at highest risk is the woman who is very thin with minimal fat and minimal breast tissue that also has stretched or elastic/loose skin.

The decisions she can make which will help in minimizing wrinkles is a higher profile silicone smooth implant placed under the muscle.

Beyond this measure, treatment of implant wrinkles can become very difficult.

Dr Kimberly Short