Boob jabs - Breast enhancement technology

By Jackie Griffiths on 19 July 2022

Injected breast implants (or breast shape injections) is a new breast enhancement technology successfully used in Japan, America, and many other countries for several years, and is now being introduced into the UK.

This breast enhancement technique involves injecting a filler into the breasts (in a similar way that fillers are commonly injected into the face) to increase roundness and fullness, up to a maximum of 1.5 cup sizes bigger than the original shape. The filler stays in place temporarily, and is fully excreted by the body after about 12 – 18 months, by which time the breasts will have gone back down to their original size and shape. However, you can have top-up treatments to maintain the effect if you want a longer-term solution.

There are hundreds of different filler materials to choose from but most breast enhancement consultants use Macrolane – a substance made using hyaluronic acid which occurs naturally in the skin.

This article on injected breast implants is written by Jackie Griffiths, a freelance journalist who writes health, medical, biological, and pharmaceutical articles for national and international journals, newsletters and web sites.

Who is suitable for it?

If you are unhappy with the size and shape of your breasts but don’t want to undergo a full operation under general anaesthetic, injected breast implants could be the answer. Boob jabs don’t require you to be put to sleep, and you don’t have long scars or stitches afterwards. You don’t even need to take any time off work or stop doing any of the activities you would normally do.

Breast shape injections are suitable for women who:

  • Want more fullness and volume
  • Want a subtle increase in cup size (for example, from A to B, or from B to C)
  • Want to uplift or change the direction of their nipples

What happens when you go for the procedure?

The procedure itself takes approximately half an hour. Local anaesthetic is administered to numb the area, and a small incision is made in the crease under each breast into which a knitting needle-sized canula is inserted. Through this, the hyaluronic acid can be slowly injected and the breast shape altered to the required level.

Afterwards, your breasts may feel tender for a week and may also be firmer than usual until the filler material absorbs water. When it is fully saturated, macrolane will have the consistency of normal breast tissue, and your breasts will be larger and fuller.

Normal activities can be resumed directly after treatment, including driving a car or going back to work. However, it’s recommended that for two weeks after the procedure you wear a sports bra and avoid any physical activity.

How safe are they?

Macrolane breast injections are relatively new, and trials into long term effects are still ongoing. Q-Med, the company behind macrolane, has carried out several trials on women from different countries and state that since 2002, when tests started, no long-term issues have been discovered.

Developed specifically for volume restoration and body contouring, macrolane has recently been granted full European approval for use on the body. However, research and trials continue into its safety for use over the long-term.

How much do they cost?

Although boob jabs only give a temporary effect (one year to 18 months), this form of breast enhancement treatment costs between £2,000 and £3,000. Top up treatments will cost about £1,400 per year. Boob jabs work out more expensive than breast enhancement using traditional one-off breast implants, but enable you to avoid having an operation, scars and any downtime.

What are the risks?

The long-term risks of having breast reshaping injections are not yet known, if there are any, but research is on-going. Other risks include filler leaking out through ducts in the breasts if the filler is placed incorrectly and granular formations (lumps).

What are the benefits?

Macrolane boob jabs are used to effect breast enhancement by adding volume or roundness to breasts rather than dramatically increase cup size. The result is a natural look and feel with:

  • Minimum disturbance to your daily routine
  • No need to undergo an operation
  • Instant, predictable results
  • Minimal risk of scarring

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