Many herbal products, medicines, creams or fillers are used for non-surgical breast augmentation or non-surgical breast enlargement. Below normal breast size in women can cause significant psychological problems in body perception starting from adolescence and negatively affect quality of life.
Breast augmentation surgery with silicone implants is one of the 5 most frequently performed plastic surgeries among all plastic surgeries and still remains the gold standard in breast augmentation aesthetics.
In recent years, another surgical method, fat injection, has been used more frequently in suitable cases for the same purpose. On the other hand, the search for an easier, more practical and cheaper non-surgical breast augmentation method without being exposed to surgery and the possible complication risks of surgery is always on the agenda.
When a search is made on the internet with the keywords “non-surgical breast augmentation”, we come across many articles, images or videos that emphasize many drugs, herbal products, creams, devices or ready-made fillers.
Unfortunately, malicious and irresponsible people who are aware of women’s search for breast augmentation can market a product that has no scientific basis and is not supervised for breast augmentation. Some products can be presented by doctors themselves as a completely innocent and safe product without bringing up potential side effects.
Is it possible to enlarge breasts without surgery?
I will mention some of the methods marketed or brought to the agenda with the claim of non-surgical breast enlargement below and express my own opinion.
Breast Enlargement Herbs
Many herbs that I do not want to name here are recommended under the title of breast enlarging herbs. Basically, it is claimed that some of the substances it contains, especially estrogen content, enlarge the breasts. It is known that estrogen hormone contributes to breast growth during puberty.
However, herbs with high estrogen content to be used in adulthood do not make a significant contribution to breast growth. The most important drawback of consuming such herbs is that they have the potential to disrupt the body’s hormone system and cause serious problems such as menstrual irregularities or cancer.
If the expected development of secondary sex characteristics is not observed in girls during puberty, the best course of action is to consult an Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Specialist. Many congenital or acquired diseases or syndromes can prevent breast development.
First of all, it should be investigated whether there is a disease that prevents breast development. If there is a hormone imbalance or a genetic disorder, the necessary follow-up and treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Such problems are not simple enough to be treated at home with herbal products.
Breast Enlargement Drugs Pills
There are some medicines that change the levels of estrogen and other hormones in the blood, but it is extremely dangerous to use these medicines indiscriminately. Such drugs can only be useful when used under the control of a specialist physician in case of a disease. In short, there is no magic pill that women of all ages can take and use for breast augmentation.
Breast Enlargement Creams
Some creams are claimed to contribute to breast enlargement when applied to the breast skin, but there is no proven cream that will provide a visible enlargement. Some tightening of the breast skin can be achieved.
Breast Enlargement Massage
Hot and cold applications and some massage techniques are recommended to tighten and lift the breast skin. However, it is not possible to achieve a permanent and significant increase in breast volume with massage techniques.
Breast Enlargement Devices or Pumps
There are devices that are applied over the breasts like a lid and claim to enlarge the breasts by applying vacuum or intermittent vibration to the breasts. However, these devices need to be used for 2-6 months and the breast enlargement effect is not significant and permanent.
Ready-made Fillers for Breast Augmentation
Some ready-made fillers are used to fill deep wrinkles or acne scars on the face and are approved by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration). However, the same fillers are not approved for breast or buttock augmentation.
Many ready-made fillers, which are prohibited for use in the United States, are used for breast augmentation in our country. Hyaluronic acid derivatives, which are a ready-made and temporary filler, are the most important of these.
In order to achieve a visible enlargement of the breasts, very large volumes of filler material such as 100-250 ml are injected into each breast instead of a few ml applied on the face.
After the injection of these fillers, which are basically foreign bodies, serious and difficult to treat complications such as allergic reactions, infection, palpable mass formation, changes in the breast skin, migration of the filler to unwanted areas can be seen. In my own practice, I do not apply such ready-made fillers to the breasts.
What is Aquafilling?
It is a ready-to-fill filler manufactured by a Czech Republic company, formerly branded Aquafilling and now LosDeline. There is no detailed information about the content of this filler on the official website. As far as I have learned from indirect sources, it is stated that 98% is saline and 2% is polyamide, but according to the Korean FDA, 2% of the same product is not polyamide but polyacrylamide.
It is reported that some increase in breast size can be achieved by injection of this filler, which has come to the agenda in some countries in recent years as a non-surgical breast augmentation option, under the breast skin and breast tissue and that this effect lasts for an average of 5 years.
Is FDA Approved?
The U.S. FDA has not approved this product for breast or buttock augmentation.
Is Aquafilling Harmful?
Some sources in the media present this product as if it were a 100% safe filler with no risk of complications. However, as with any synthetic foreign material, there are many unwanted side effects and complications associated with the use of this material. When the medical literature is reviewed, complications due to the use of Aquafilling are encountered.
The president of the Korean Society of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery has stated that the filler in question is no different from polyacrylamide, which previously had serious side effects, and that the association is against its use for breast augmentation.
In addition to complications such as pain, redness and swelling in the breasts, infection, inflammation, and the shift or migration of the filler to other areas, it is reported that long-term stimulation of the immune system (chronic inflammation) has the potential to cause more serious problems such as breast cancer.
Patients who undergo Aquafilling are advised to have their breasts checked regularly every year with ultrasonographic or MRI examinations.