Undergoing breast augmentationsurgery can improve your life in many ways. However, it requires making a few important choices. Having a clear understanding of the differences between textured breast implants and smooth breast implants is helpful when making such a big decision. Since the advantages between textured and smooth implants vary, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. If you’ve chosen to undergo breast revision surgery, deciding between textured and smooth implants is made much simpler with the help of New Jersey’s Dr. Morin. As a New Jersey board-certified plastic surgeon, in addition to being a surgical reconstruction and revision specialist, Dr. Robert Morinhas a few tips on how to stay safe and look great after getting breast implants.
Although both breast implant options are composed of silicone, they vary in results. Regardless of your breast augmentation need, Dr. Morin’s technique places the textured or smooth breast implant directly beneath the muscle tissue to minimize risk and maximize successful results.
Smooth implants have a sleek shell with no breast implant texture, allowing them to glide gently within the pocket for a supple, natural feel. Their long safety record and low incidence of capsular contracture make them the option Dr. Morin recommends for most primary augmentationsand revisions. Because the implant can shift slightly as you move, the breast drapes more naturally, especially when placed beneath the muscle. In contrast to textured breast implants, smooth devices are not linked to BIA-ALCL, offering added peace of mind while still providing beautiful, durable results.
Textured breast implants were engineered to stay put as the subtle, sandpaper-like surface encourages tissue ingrowth to keep an implant from rotating, which can be beneficial for anatomically shaped (teardrop) implants. If you have wondered, “What are textured breast implants and why are they sometimes chosen?”, the answer lies in that extra stability. However, surgeons now weigh those advantages against the rare but real problems with textured breast implants, including a higher association with breast-implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). For most patients, Dr. Morin recommends smooth alternatives, reserving a textured implant or textured silicone implants only for very specific reconstructive scenarios.
By using smooth silicone breast implants in the majority of his cosmetic breastaugmentation procedures, Dr. Morin can provide natural and impressive results. This type of implant is longer-lasting than saline implants, has a low risk of capsular contracture (scar tissue), and is much softer and natural than other types of implants. Since smooth silicone implants feature a non-textured surface, they move more fluidly, similar to the way your natural breasts would.
However, textured silicone implants are still the preferred implant in certain specific cases. For correcting challenging chest-wall asymmetries, such as Poland syndromeor severe tuberous breast deformities, textured breast implants provide the subtle grip of the breast implant texture that keeps the device centered while the soft-tissue envelope remodels. In complex reconstruction after radiation, a micro-textured implant offers a predictable internal scaffold, limiting pocket migration while secondary fat-grafting matures.
| Feature | Smooth Implants | Textured Implants |
| Feel | Softer, more natural | Slightly firmer |
| Movement | Moves naturally like real breast tissue | Less movement due to textured shell |
| Risk of Rippling | Lower | Higher, especially in thin patients |
| Capsular Contracture Risk | Historically higher, but modern techniques reduce this | Lower risk |
| Use Cases | Cosmetic breast augmentation | Shaped/anatomical implants, reconstruction |
Both smooth and textured breast implants are considered safe, but it’s important to be aware of the specific risks associated with each before making a decision.
Smooth implants have been widely used for many years with a strong safety record. Many surgeons prefer them due to their natural feel and ability to move freely within the breast pocket, closely mimicking natural breast tissue.
While textured breast implants were designed to keep the breast implant in the proper position and to reduce the risk of capsular contracture, new research has found that textured implants can rarely create an imbalance within the immune system. The sandpaper-like coating is now believed to be the cause of a rare type of cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Although extremely rare, BIA-ALCL is a form of cancer that requires treatment. For this reason, Dr. Morin now recommends smooth breast implants for patients seeking cosmetic breast augmentation.
The decision between smooth and textured breast implants is made in close partnership with your surgeon. Dr. Morin will conduct a thorough evaluation of your anatomy, discuss your aesthetic goals, and review your health history. He prioritizes patient safety above all else, ensuring you understand the latest industry findings, including the specific risks associated with each implant type. This collaborative approach ensures that your choice not only delivers beautiful, natural-looking results but also gives you complete confidence and peace of mind in your decision.
With extensive experience in plastic surgery, Dr. Morin has performed breast implant procedures on patients throughout NY and NJ for over a decade. Understanding whether you need textured or smooth implants requires meeting with a highly trained board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Morin. Awarded top doctor status in patient care, Dr. Robert Morin has years of experience performing breast augmentations for patients throughout New Jersey. Dr. Morin’s expert surgical technique places breast implants more precisely, gently, and with less postoperative pain.
Take the guesswork out of choosing between smooth and textured implants. Arrange a confidential consultation with Dr. Robert Morin to review implant options, safety considerations, and expected outcomes. Call (201) 488-3422 or request an appointmentonline to secure your visit.
Written by Dr. Morin
Tuesday, July 1st, 2025
Ready to start looking your best? We offer virtual and in-office consultations.
