Aesthetic Breast - Silicone Implants vs. Push-Up Bras
The history of art is adorned with women with natural, beautiful breasts depicted in sculpture, painting, and photography. It's even known that wine glasses were modeled after Queen Marie Antoinette's beautiful breasts. Louis XV once scolded a minister for not looking at Marie Antoinette's (his daughter-in-law) cleavage, emphasizing that “breasts are the first place to look at in a woman.” Speaking of France, one cannot overlook Agnès Sorel. Known as the "Lady of Beauty," she was the mistress of King Charles VII of France in the 15th century. Although she lived with the king for only six years, her influence on visual arts and literature forever changed perspectives on breasts. In the late Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, the aesthetic criteria for breasts remained the same: small, white, apple-shaped, firm, and widely spaced breasts were considered ideal.
Image 1: Jean Fouquet, 15th century, Madonna and Child, Virgin of Melun
Today, according to a study featuring models from the UK-based Sun newspaper's website, the ideal breast proportions are defined as follows: nipples pointing skyward, with the part of the breast forming the décolleté being flat, while the lower pole below the nipple remains tight and convex. Sounds complicated, doesn't it? The most important aspect of these measurements is the proportion of the upper pole to the lower pole, which should be 45:55. As seen in the diagram, the goal is not an overly pronounced and rounded upper décolleté, but rather a subtler appearance slightly set back. In the past, a full and rounded upper pole was desirable, but today such breasts are not considered attractive.
Image 2: The ratio of the upper pole to the lower pole should be 45:55.
For us plastic surgeons involved in aesthetic surgery, these studies are highly valuable because we use this information in breast augmentation, breast reduction, and breast reconstruction surgeries. How do I achieve these proportions in breast augmentation? While not in all cases, I often achieve the desired upper pole ratio by using implants placed under the muscle. Since patients who undergo breast augmentation often have insufficient breast tissue, the submuscular plane provides an excellent option. Our ultimate goal is to achieve a natural breast texture, imperceptible to touch, and visually harmonious proportions.
All these ratios and calculations are made while women are unclothed. So, is it different when clothed? Some patients, especially when wearing outfits with décolleté, prefer their upper pole to appear more prominent. Of course, they do, and these women, just like in the post-Agnès Sorel era, enjoy wearing push-up bras. So, is it possible to achieve this look without a push-up bra after breast implant surgery? My answer is partly yes, partly no. If you like push-up bras, you should continue wearing them even after breast implant surgery. No matter how large the implant volume is, it cannot replicate the appearance provided by a push-up bra.