Injectable Breast Implants: What is a Liquid Boob Job?

Most people know dermal filler as a substance that can be injected into the face to restore volume and smooth wrinkles. However, dermal filler and other similar substances are increasingly being used to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. Known as a ‘liquid boob joob’, these so-called injectable breast implants have emerged as a cheaper alternative to conventional surgical breast augmentation.

However, while surgical breast augmentation is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced surgeon, there’s no evidence to suggest the same is true of injectable breast implants. Numerous complications are associated with liquid boob jobs, and they are often performed by people with no healthcare experience, such as hairdressers and beauticians, which greatly increases the risks.

With that in mind, we’re going to take a close look at the liquid boob job and explain what it is, how the procedure works, the type of results you can expect and whether it’s a viable alternative to cosmetic surgery.

What are injectable breast implants?

Injectable breast implants involve the use of a bio gel or hyaluronic acid filler to increase the size and volume of the breasts. To perform the procedure, medical, or in some cases, non-medical grade liquid silicone is injected into the space between the pectoral muscle and the breast tissue to make the breasts appear rounder, perkier and fuller.

The treatment is known by many names, including liquid boob job, lunchtime boob job and breast or boob filler, but whatever you call it, the result is the same. It provides a subtle increase of up to two cup sizes that can appear natural and proportionate. Depending on the type of filler used, the results can last anything from six months to four years, although regular maintenance appointments may be required.

Are injectable breast implants safe?

The idea of a ‘lunchtime boob job’ with a shorter treatment time, very little post-operative pain and no scarring can be very appealing. Injectable breast implants are also cheaper than a conventional boob job. However, while it might sound tempting, having filler injected into your breasts is not recommended by 99% of medical professionals who deem the procedure to be too dangerous to perform.

That’s because, since 2021, the UK’s only government-approved register of non-surgical clinics and practitioners in the UK has received an alarming number of complaints. They relate not only to injectable breast implants but also to filler being injected into the buttocks and hips by patients wanting to augment these areas without having a surgical procedure.

Although these treatments are often advertised on social media and by aesthetic clinics as risk-free, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, both the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (BAPRAS) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) want the use of breast filler to be banned due to the many complications and the lack of safety data. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has also said that filler should not be injected into the breast tissue.

What are the risks associated with liquid boob jobs?

There are a wide range of complications and unwanted outcomes that are being reported by those who have liquid boob jobs. Of the 200 complaints received by Save Face in 2023, 39% of patients required corrective surgery and over 70% were hospitalised. All the complaints related to treatments performed by non-medical practitioners.

The risks associated with injectable breast implants include:

Safety concerns

Although filler can be safe to use in other parts of the body, most surgical clinicians agree it should not be injected into breast tissue. In the UK, dermal filler is not licensed for use in the breasts due to a lack of peer-reviewed evidence to show it is safe.

A type of hyaluronic filler was developed and approved for use in breast tissue in 2008, but it was quickly withdrawn due to the many issues that were being reported. Since then, no injectable fillers have been licensed in the UK and the practice is banned in several countries around the world.

The treatment is also commonly performed by practitioners with no medical training or healthcare experience, usually in non-clinical settings. That increases the risk of complications being ignored and patients being mis-advised.

Complications

There are many complications associated with the use of filler for breast implants. Any invasive procedure, including surgical breast augmentation, carries some risks. However, the rate of complications from liquid boob jobs is significantly higher.

Common complications include:

Pain
Inflammation and/or infection
The formation of breast lumps and nodules
Breast deformities
Migration of the filler to other areas of the body
Difficulty breast-feeding
Tissue death

There are also some more serious, potentially life-threatening complications, such as sepsis and abscesses, that require hospital admission and urgent surgical intervention.

Breast cancer screening difficulties

The other issue with injectable breast implants is that the formation of nodules in the breasts caused by lumps of filler can make it difficult to check for cancerous lumps. The density of breast fillers can mimic cancer and diseases on scans and obscure the breast tissue. The result can be a missed or late cancer diagnosis.

How much are injectable breast implants?

The cost of injectable breast implants differs depending on the type and amount of filler used. You can expect to pay anything from £650 for 20ml of filler to £3,000 or more for 100ml. The average cost for a liquid boob job in the UK is currently around £2,000 per treatment.

Are injectable breast implants the closest thing to a natural boob job?

There is no natural way to increase the size or volume of the breasts. Of the supposed natural ways to increase breast size that you might see online or on social media, such as creams, pumps, diets and supplements, none are proven to work.

Probably the closest thing to a natural boob job is something called fat transfer breast augmentation. It first involves liposuction to collect excess fat from other parts of the body. That fat is then injected into the breasts to enhance their volume and shape.

It is also possible to get a natural-looking boob job through the use of implants. An experienced surgeon can advise you on the right size, shape, placement and profile of implants to create a natural-looking result. At Enhance Medical, we use Mentor Implants, which produce the most natural look and feel.

Liquid boob job vs. traditional boob job

If you want to enhance the shape, size and fullness of your breasts, breast fillers and breast implants can both deliver results. However, there are significant differences between them:

Permanence

A liquid boob job will typically last around two years, but depending on the type of filler, it can be as little as six months. On the other hand, the results of a surgical breast augmentation procedure usually last 10 years or more.

Recovery time

As a minimally invasive procedure, a liquid boob job has a shorter recovery period and the affected area will usually only be sore for three or four days. The recovery period takes longer after surgical breast augmentation. Most patients have at least a week off work and take six to eight weeks to fully recover.

Results

Liquid boob jobs produce subtle results with a maximum size increase of one or two cup sizes. Surgical breast augmentation can result in a more significant increase in breast size and you can choose the exact shape, profile and size of breast implants to achieve your specific goals.

Cost

The average cost of breast fillers is around £2,000 per treatment. However, with the results only lasting up to two years, in terms of longevity, it’s much cheaper to have breast augmentation surgery.

At Enhance Medical, breast augmentation surgery costs from £4,595 and the results typically last at least 10 years but often longer. That price includes 12 months of post-operative aftercare and a Mentor Implant Warranty.

Risks

The risk of complications is far greater with a liquid boob job. It is a treatment most medics refuse to perform due to the risks involved and it could have serious implications for your health. Despite being more invasive, traditional breast augmentation is far safer, particularly when it’s performed by an experienced surgeon.

Safe, affordable and high-quality breast implants with Enhance Medical

Enhance your breasts safely with the help of the UK’s leading day case provider of breast enlargement surgery. Find out more about breast augmentation, contact us with any questions and book a free consultation at one of our state-of-the-art clinics throughout the UK.

Posted on 15th January 202515th January 2025 Posted in Breast, Non-Surgical