What Is The Best Age For Breast Enlargement Surgery?

Mr Debashis Ghosh

NHS Consultant
GMC Number: 4657664

Medically reviewed by a licensed NHS consultant

Last updated: 15/08/2019

Women can want to change the appearance of their breasts at any time in their lives, and many embark on the journey of breast enlargements at different stages. So long as your breasts are fully developed, you are healthy and not pregnant, and you can afford them, there is no major limit on when you can have a breast enlargement. However, there is nonetheless an optimum age, or stage in your life to get breast implants, accounting for emotional maturity, plans for parenthood, fast healing, and financial stability. 

Can you get a breast enlargement if you are under the age of 18?

Many teens are self-conscious about their bodies, largely owing to their consumption of social media. However, it is not recommended that women under the age of 18 have breast enlargement surgery as their breasts are not fully developed at this stage, and this may affect not only the way the implants look, but also how they feel in their own body later down the line. 

Whilst there may be some very exceptional cases where a breast enlargement procedure is conducted for someone that is under 18, it is not common practice, and all teenagers are strongly encouraged to wait until they are at least 18 before making the decision. On top of that, breast enlargement surgery is very expensive, and often unaffordable to those who are under 18, meaning that they may need to find greater financial stability before seeking cosmetic surgery.

What is the ‘best’ age for breast enlargement surgery?

Broadly speaking, the best age to have breast enlargement surgery can be anywhere between the age of 18 and the age of 50, since during these years your body has developed fully, but is often healthy enough to deal with any potential side effects and complications of the surgery. 

Here are some things that must be considered:

• Are your breasts fully developed yet?

Even if you are over the age of 18, some women’s breasts continue to develop even throughout their 20s, which means that they may have to wait to have enlargement surgery. This is because it is hard to choose the right size, shape and profile when your body is still developing, and implants being inserted prematurely may interfere with this development. This means that whilst some women are over the age of 18, they may still not be eligible for breast surgery yet. 

• Are you looking to have children in the near future?

Pregnancy and breast implants can be a tricky thing to juggle. Pregnancy can cause significant changes in the shape and volume of your breasts - even with implants - and this may affect the finished look post-surgery. Since pregnancy can cause your breasts to grow, then shrink, this often causes drooping or sagging, which could later mean that you need or want revision surgery. Therefore, it’s recommended to wait until your family is complete before committing to breast enlargement surgery. 

• Can you afford breast surgery?

If you aren’t financially stable, it is advisable to wait before getting breast enlargement surgery, not only because it will be difficult to physically afford it and arrange a payment plan, but also because breast enlargement tends to be a surgery that individuals get roughly every 10 years, so you need to be able to afford the commitment in years to come also. 

• Are you are emotionally mature enough to make the decision?

Whilst we all experience insecurities when we are younger, it often takes a while for us to be able to confidently make a decision as big as getting invasive surgery, like breast enlargement surgery. As a result, you should conduct all necessary research before making a decision. It’s recommended for women to wait until they are at a stage in their lives where they feel that they have fully matured and are completely informed about the procedure, its effects, and the potential complications. This can be achieved at any age for women, but all women differ in when they will gain that confidence to commit to the surgery. 

Is 50 too old to get breast implants?

In short, the answer to this is no. Whilst 50+ is not the optimal age to get breast implants, it is possible and many breast enlargement procedures are successful in women over 50. In fact, many women aged over 50 feel like they want to regain confidence, and breast enlargement is the perfect way for individuals to do just that. 

The only real reservation about getting breast enlargement surgery when you are over the age of 50 is that you should be in good physical health, in order to avoid any complications and side effects during breast implant surgery. One particular health concern among women over 50 is that, as you grow older, your bones lose density, and therefore carrying additional weight (such as those from your new breasts) may prove problematic. 

However, if you do not suffer from any pre-existing or untreated health issues, then you may still be a good candidate for breast implants, but we do recommend seeing a doctor first to check your health and ensure that you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. 

Am I the right age for breast implants?

There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ age when it comes to breast implants. However, if you are over the age of 18, have fully developed breasts, are confident that you want the surgery, can afford the surgery, have accounted for parenthood, and are in good health, then you are likely to be a good candidate for breast implant surgery, and it is worth discussing with a consultant further.