Do breast implants expire?
Key takeaways
- Breast implants don't have an exact expiry date, but they aren't necessarily lifetime devices.
- Rupture is one reason implants are replaced; a car accident (airbag or seatbelt pressure) is a common cause.
- After a car accident, it's a good idea to have your implants checked with an ultrasound.
- If your implants are in a good position and not causing problems, replacing them isn't usually recommended.
No set expiry date
Dr. Geoff Masschelein, MD, FRCSC, Specialist in Plastic Surgery, answers one of the most common questions about breast implants. Implants don't come with an exact expiry date. They also may not last forever, so they shouldn't be thought of as lifetime devices.
Why implants are replaced
One reason is rupture. One of the most common causes is a car accident, when an airbag goes off or the seatbelt presses on the implant. If you have implants and you're in a car accident, Dr. Masschelein recommends having them checked with an ultrasound.
If everything is fine
If your implants are in a good position and aren't causing you any trouble, he doesn't usually recommend replacing them just because of their age.
Talk it through
Whether you're considering implants or already have them, your consultation is the place to ask how long they last and how to look after them. Read more about breast augmentation at 8 West Clinic in Vancouver and North Vancouver.
