Statistics indicate a trend toward smaller, more natural-looking breasts, and the experts have a lot to say about it.
18%: the percentage decrease in breast augmentations between 2021 and 2022
(PROCEDURAL STATISTICS AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY NATIONAL DATABANK STATISTICS FOR 2022)
Tucson, AZ plastic surgeon Raman Mahabir, MD says the biggest trend in breast surgery right now is more natural-looking breasts. “People no longer want to look as augmented. We’re now able to have better conversations with patients about picking implants that fit their body well.” Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Mark Jewell, MD agrees that patients are opting for more realistic size options.
“It’s hard to know exactly what has changed, but most likely it’s the increasing trend toward ‘healthy lifestyle’ and ‘natural results,’” says Louisville, KY plastic surgeon M. Bradley Calobrace, MD. Dr. Mahabir also points out that the “ideal” aesthetic has gradually shifted. “A quick look through NewBeauty today versus even five years ago shows some significant differences.” La Jolla, CA plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD says the state of the economy may also play a role.
54%: the percentage increase in breast-reduction procedures from 2019 to 2022
(AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS)
Dr. Calobrace has seen a move toward smaller breasts in his practice, resulting in implant removal and breast reductions. “Most women would agree that smaller breasts are easier to live with,” says McMurray, PA plastic surgeon Simona V. Pautler, MD. “Smaller, round, perky breasts are featured all over social media more than large, heavy, saggy ones. Fashion trends also call for no bra.” Additionally, smaller breasts stand up to gravity more, resulting in less surgery to correct tissue stretching, she adds. And, it’s easier to exercise with less weight on the chest.
30%: the percentage increase in breast lifts from 2019 to 2022
(AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS)
Patients “want to improve sagginess and have the nipple-areola centered on the breast mound. This can only be achieved with a mastopexy,” says Dr. Jewell.
“In the past, when a more augmented look was desired, the breast lift was accompanied by an implant” says Dr. Calobrace. Now, lifts often stand on their own. We’ve also seen implant- removal procedures increase, and when a patient downsizes, they often want a lift, notes Dr. Mahabir.
For a “more natural look, the lift can be done without implants,” says Dr. Calobrace. “Instead, it can be done alone or potentially with an auto- augmentation or fat grafting, which are two trends to be on the lookout for.”
Implant removal was up 5% from 2021 to 2022, with combined removal and replacement procedures down 10%
(PROCEDURAL STATISTICS AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY NATIONAL DATABANK STATISTICS FOR 2022)
We are seeing a lot of women downsizing their implants,” says Dr. Mahabir. However, this might not be as simple as a trend toward smaller breasts. With social media and easy access to information, people are more educated on their options than ever before. The danger, however, is that the average person can’t always decipher accurate information from misinformation. “Social media has made people much more informed about breast implants, especially the Breast Implant Illness [BII] issue,” adds Dr. Pautler. While a trend toward smaller breasts can play a role, Miami plastic surgeon Sean Simon, MD suggests that an important factor of implant removal is celebrities and influencers sharing their stories of removing their implants and then having their symptoms dissipate. With Breast Implant Illness being a hot topic, Dr. Singer cautions that there are some surgeons online who may opt to suggest implant removal, even when it may not always be needed or best for the patient.