Breast Augmentation Trends in 2024

Breast augmentation, once synonymous with achieving a singular ideal of beauty, has evolved into a celebration of individuality, shifting towards embracing natural looks and enhancing one’s unique body shape.

This shift towards natural looks is not just a passing trend; it reflects a broader cultural movement. Thanks to social media, women can explore beauty standards across the globe, widening the scope of what is considered “beautiful.” These new ideals prompt women to throw away the “one size fits all” breast implant and embrace self-acceptance and empowerment.

Despite what some may think, breast augmentation is not going away. In fact, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2022,

“Breast augmentation remain[ed] the most common surgical procedure for women, with 2.2 million procedures and a significant increase of 29% compared to 2021.”

However, the desire for “melon-sized” breasts is going away (sorry, Pamela). Today, the focus lies on achieving a natural appearance that complements each individual’s physique. This shift is evident in the rise of smaller implants over striving for DDs. Rather than conforming to trends or societal pressures, women are choosing breast augmentation procedures that complement their frame and figure.

Modern techniques prioritize personalized procedures that consider each patient’s unique anatomy, goals, and lifestyle. From implant type, incision placement, implant placement, and smooth or textured implants, women can customize their boob job to exactly how they desire than ever before.

Thanks to new and evolving technologies, natural, undetectable breast augmentation is possible and popular.

Achieving the trending natural look uses a combination of modern techniques, empowers mothers to restore their breast shape, and allows women with active lifestyles to have breast fullness without compromising athletic performance.

Breast augmentation trends in 2024 prioritize shape and symmetry instead of solely focusing on size. Surgeons can achieve this symmetry by combining procedures like liposuction and breast augmentation. The surgeon can use the fat removed from one area of the body during liposuction and inject it around the breasts to smooth out transition areas around the implant, like the clavicle, cleavage, and above the breast. Using fat to smooth out the breasts makes the implants less detectable in appearance and feel.

Patients can also combine breast augmentation with a breast lift to enhance breast size and shape during the same procedure. A breast lift often involves removing excess skin, reshaping breast tissue, and repositioning the areolas for an overall perkier appearance.

Another notable trend in breast augmentation is the increasing popularity of fat transfers. Sometimes, women only want to use fat to add volume to their breasts through a procedure called an autologous fat graft. Unlike traditional implants, which involve the insertion of synthetic materials, fat transfers utilize the patient’s body fat to enhance the breasts. This approach results in a more natural look and feel and offers the added benefit of body contouring through liposuction.

Similarly to combining liposuction and breast augmentation, fat transfers provide a holistic approach to cosmetic enhancement by sculpting the body while enhancing the breasts. However, as said earlier, fat transfers do not use synthetic silicone implants.

Moms no longer want an augmentation as a band-aid fix. Instead of simply opting for breast implants, women post-pregnancy are requesting more breast lifts and other alterations to restore the shape of their breasts to how they looked before pregnancy and breastfeeding.

While women certainly can and do choose to have implants after having kids, they no longer see implants as the only option for perkier breasts. Access to more information, in addition to evolving techniques, gives moms the chance to explore all the possibilities of breast enhancement before going under the knife, resulting in greater post-op satisfaction.

Women who want to increase breast size now choose to do so modestly to complement their active lifestyle.

For example, female athletes may lose body fat due to their sport, decreasing the size of their breasts. They may then seek breast augmentation to have more proportionate-looking breasts and restore fullness and femininity.

Athletic women who are smaller and leaner tend to go up only one cup size and have the implants inserted under the muscle. The smaller implants do not interfere with athletic activities, like running and working out, as much as larger ones. Plus, submuscular placement better covers the implant and masks its appearance for a more natural look.

It’s not just athletes who choose submuscular implant placement. According to data from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, between 2015 and 2021, 91% of women opted for submuscular placement vs 79% from 2005 to 2014. The board explains that implants inserted beneath the chest muscle conceal the implant and reduce the risk of capsular contracture. Therefore, submuscular placement leads to a less obvious breast augmentation.

More celebrities are also choosing the subtle route. Instead of stars with the most enormous breasts receiving attention, people now praise celebrities who have breast enhancements that are barely detectable. We see examples of the best celebrity breast augmentation procedures from Halle Berry, Kaley Cuoco, and Emily Ratajkowski. Their breast enhancements compliment their natural beauty and remain proportionate to their frame.

Everyday women are following their example, requesting a shape and size proportionate to their frame, making people wonder if it was surgery or just a really good bra.

In addition to aesthetic considerations, there’s a heightened focus on health and safety within the field of breast augmentation. FDA-approved implants and ongoing research in biocompatible materials and surgical techniques ensure patients can make informed decisions prioritizing their well-being.

It is clear that these advancements influence breast augmentation trends. For instance, in 2006, the FDA approved the use of silicone implants for cosmetic use for women 22 and older. Data from ABPS shows a steady growth in silicone implants since that year. They found a 28% increase (from 58% to 86%) in silicone implant use from 2015 and 2021 compared to the previous decade. While there is no conclusive evidence that silicone is safer than saline or vice versa, the viscosity of silicone lends a more natural appearance than saline. So, the rising trend in silicone implants shows that women want the most natural-looking breasts possible.

The research into breast surgeries continues to inform surgeons and patients and improve techniques and options. With increasing standards and information, surgeons carefully consider each patient’s health and conditions, ensuring that procedures are tailored to their individual needs, inside and out.

Advancements in technology have further empowered women to personalize their breast augmentation. From 3D imaging to augmented reality simulations, some surgical clinics can give patients the opportunity to visualize their potential outcomes and explore all possible options. Surgeons can tailor the simulations to each patient’s unique anatomy, factoring in chest wall shape, breast tissue thickness, and overall body type.

In conclusion, breast augmentation has evolved from a quest for conformity to a celebration of individuality and natural beauty in 2024. From fat transfers to personalized procedures, the emphasis now lies on enhancing natural beauty and embracing one’s unique body shape. As the breast augmentation field and surgical techniques continue to evolve, the journey toward self-love and acceptance remains at the forefront of breast enhancement.