The Cadogan Clinic, based in Chelsea, London, one of the UK’s leading private medical districts, is the UK’s principal surgical centre of excellence for Breast Augmentation.
Since 2019, Cadogan Clinic has seen a 112% increase in Breast Augmentations. Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons perform more than 13% of the Clinic’s surgical procedures each year as Breast Augmentation operations.
What is Breast Augmentation at Cadogan Clinic, London?
Breast Augmentation, also known as Breast Enlargement or Breast Enhancement, is a surgical procedure which increases the size and enhances the shape of the breasts.
Cadogan Clinic has brought together a team of the best Consultant Breast Surgeons in the UK, providing the highest quality Breast Augmentation care and results. Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea, maintains a 0.01% infection rate and 0.8% revision rate in all surgical procedures: industry-leading statistics, notably lower than the UK national averages.
There are two options for Breast Augmentation at Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea:
- Breast Augmentation with Breast Implants: Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons use the highest quality silicone breast implants to enhance breast volume and shape. The breast implants are inserted into the breasts through a small incision in the inframammary fold at the bottom of the breast
- Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer: Also known as Natural Breast Augmentation, Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons extract excess fat using Liposuction from the abdomen, thighs, arms and buttocks, before purifying it to reinject into the breasts. This increases the size of the breasts and enhances their shape, but often with a more subtle result
Breast Augmentation surgery at Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea typically takes 1-2 hours to complete under general anaesthetic.
Patients seek Breast Augmentation for several reasons, primarily the feeling that they have breasts which are too small in proportion to the rest of their body. This can lead to several physical and psychological concerns:
- Asymmetry and bodily imbalance: Although it is normal for breasts to naturally appear slightly different from each other, noticeable or dramatic imbalance can affect physical and emotional comfort
- Clothing fit and comfort: Many patients with small breasts are concerned that their clothing doesn’t fit properly or feel comfortable. This may especially affect clothing such as tops and swimwear
- Loss of confidence: It is not uncommon for patients to find that having small breasts causes a loss of confidence and increased self-consciousness, which can have a wider impact on social and professional life
Small or underdeveloped breasts can occur for many reasons, including genetics, hormonal imbalance, and overall body composition.
Breast Augmentation is the most popular surgical procedure in the UK, and the interest is increasing. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reports that between 2023 and 2024, there was a 6% increase in the number of Breast Augmentations carried out in the UK.
Breast Augmentation is also a highly popular procedure with younger patients. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that the average age for Breast Augmentation is between 20 and 40. If you are considering Breast Augmentation surgery, it is important to understand the Breast Augmentation age requirements and how they may influence whether your Cadogan Clinic Consultant Breast Surgeon will determine if you are a suitable Breast Augmentation patient.
Breast Augmentation is a popular and effective surgical procedure which increases the size and enhances the shape of the breasts using either breast implants or fat transfer to address a range of functional and aesthetic concerns.
How Old Can You Be to Get a Boob Job?
In most cases, the minimum age for Breast Augmentation in the UK is 18; however, there may be some exceptions based on a patient’s personal circumstances and the surgeon's discretion.
During your Breast Augmentation consultation with a Cadogan Clinic Consultant Breast Surgeon, there are several factors that will be considered to determine whether you are a suitable patient. Breast Augmentation age requirements in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the reasons for the surgery and how it will benefit the patient medically.
The primary variable which affects the UK age limit for breast implants or fat transfer is whether the procedure is primarily considered cosmetic or medical.
In the UK, the legal age for a Boob Job, as with all other Cosmetic Surgery procedures, is 18. It is illegal for any surgeon to perform a Breast Augmentation for purely cosmetic reasons at Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea, on a patient under the age of 18, and they must be able to demonstrate a further medical purpose or benefit to the Breast Augmentation procedure being carried out.
A purely cosmetic Breast Augmentation would be considered any Breast Enlargement procedure involving breast implants or fat transfer that is being carried out to increase the size of the breasts, without any other physical or psychological medical benefit for the patient.
The classification of Breast Augmentation as a cosmetic or functional procedure is often extremely strict, especially when compared to other procedures such as Breast Reduction or Rhinoplasty. This is because the immediate medical benefits of Breast Augmentation are often less obvious than those of other procedures, and it is essential that the functional benefits can be clearly demonstrated before Breast Augmentation is performed, to protect the patient's safety.
Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons work within a Leadership team rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), ensuring they maintain the highest standards of patient care and safety in every Breast Augmentation they perform.
In some rare cases, where underdeveloped breasts are severely impacting confidence or quality of life, it may be possible to get a Breast Augmentation under 18 in order to promote and protect future health and well-being.
The two factors which influence the minimum age for Breast Augmentation at Cadogan Clinic, and in the UK, are:
Physical Breast Development
To achieve the best Breast Augmentation results, Cadogan Clinic's Consultant Breast Surgeons will assess that your breasts are fully developed.
Breast development typically takes between two and five years, and most patients will have fully developed breasts by the time they are 17. However, for some patients, this will be delayed, meaning that breast size is not the only determining factor in whether the breasts are fully developed, especially important if the breasts may be fundamentally underdeveloped.
At Cadogan Clinic, London, your Consultant Breast Surgeon may ask you to undergo further investigations, such as an ultrasound scan, to ensure the internal structures of the breasts are fully developed and suitable for Breast Augmentation.
Regardless of whether a Breast Augmentation is being performed for functional or cosmetic reasons, it is important to ensure that the breasts are fully developed to prevent future concerns or complications.
Emotional and Psychological Development
The minimum Breast Enlargement age in the UK is based on the principle that an individual is considered an adult and has autonomy over their own body at the age of 18.
During your consultation, your Cadogan Clinic Consultant Breast Surgeon will discuss every aspect of Breast Augmentation surgery, including potential risks and complications.
Although the vast majority of patients who choose to undergo Breast Augmentation at Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea, find that it has a positive and transformational impact on their quality of life, it is essential to understand the weight of the decision and how potential repercussions may affect the procedure.
In the UK, the youngest age for Breast Augmentation is typically 18 due to laws around the minimum age for Cosmetic Surgery, safeguarding patients, and surgical outcomes; however, in some cases, this may be adjusted for medical and functional reasons.
Medical Reasons for Breast Augmentation in Younger Patients
In some rare cases, Consultant Breast Surgeons in the UK and at Cadogan Clinic may determine that a Breast Augmentation can be performed on a patient under the age of 18, if it is for primarily medical reasons.
Medical reasons for Breast Augmentation may include:
Breast Reconstruction
In cases where the breasts have been injured or damaged due to trauma or previous medical treatment, Breast Augmentation can be utilised to reconstruct and restore their shape.
Among Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea’s Consultant Breast Surgeons are Mr. Will Sarakbi and Mr. Ross Kenny, both Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeons, who specialise in reconstructive breast surgery and Breast Augmentation.
Although breast cancer, the most common precursor to Breast Reconstruction, is extremely rare in younger patients, the breasts can be injured for many reasons, such as trauma, and require reconstruction.
When reconstructing the breasts, either breast implants or fat transfer can be used:
- Breast Implants: Breast implants can be inserted into the breast cavity to increase volume and restore shape in the breasts
- Fat Transfer: As well as increasing volume and restoring shape, the regenerative properties of fat transfer can be used to rebuild external breast tissues
Whether a patient opts for breast implants or fat transfer as part of their Breast Reconstruction is influenced by several factors:
- Breast implants achieve a more uniform result, often most suitable for extensive trauma where minimal original breast tissue remains
- Fat transfer is often most suited to patients who have uneven injuries between the breasts, as it provides a precise and natural result, making use of the existing breast tissue
Breast Augmentation for reconstruction at Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea, is a bespoke surgery, and the treatment plan is tailored to each patient's concerns and requirements.
Significant Asymmetry
Although it is normal for the breasts to be slightly different in size and shape, in some cases, the difference can be more significant.
Hormonal imbalance during puberty and genetics are the two most common causes of significant breast asymmetry.
Dramatic breast asymmetry can cause concerns with the fit and comfort of clothing, as well as impacting confidence, increasing self-consciousness.
Significant breast asymmetry can be addressed with either breast implants or fat transfer Breast Augmentation at Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea, depending on your exact concerns and desired results. However, it is important to determine that your breasts are fully developed before surgery can take place.
Your Cadogan Clinic Consultant Breast Surgeon will discuss the best options to address your breast asymmetry concerns during your consultation and will show you before and after images to demonstrate the results you can expect to achieve.
Congenital Conditions
Congenital breast conditions are any conditions affecting the breasts which are either immediately present from birth or the precursors are present, allowing the signs of the condition to develop during puberty and adolescence.
Congenital conditions which can affect the breasts include:
- Poland Syndrome: A rare condition, characterised by the underdevelopment of the pectoralis major muscle at the back of the chest, resulting in the indentation of the chest
- Tubular Breasts: Appearing during puberty, this condition is caused by tight fibrous bands within the breast tissue restricting development, leading to a narrow and elongated breast shape
- Micromastia: Micromastia is a specific condition where the breast tissue either does not grow or only grows partially
These conditions can all affect one or both sides of the breasts, and should be assessed and diagnosed by a Consultant Breast Surgeon to ensure the proper treatment is put in place.
Having a congenital breast condition does not guarantee that you will be eligible for Breast Augmentation under the age of 18 at Cadogan Clinic, London. However, the severity and impact on comfort and quality of life can be taken into account when determining whether you are suitable for Breast Augmentation treatment.
Psychological Concerns
Psychological distress caused by breast size and shape may be a factor in determining whether a patient is suitable for teenage Breast Augmentation; however, it is rare that it is the primary reason.
It can be challenging to establish that psychological distress is only caused by the appearance of the breasts, especially during adolescence, when many factors can affect confidence, self-image and comfort.
In cases where a patient under the age of 18 feels that a Breast Augmentation may improve their mental health, a number of psychological assessments must be undertaken, and other treatment options must be tried first to ensure that proceeding with the Breast Augmentation is in the patient's best interests.
Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons perform hundreds of Breast Augmentations every year, and understand the positive impact that it can have on confidence and quality of life. However, it is essential that they prioritise patient safety and ensure that the appropriate assessments are carried out before any procedure.
Although it can be challenging to show that a Breast Augmentation is required for primarily medical reasons in a patient under the age of 18, there are conditions which can be taken into account when determining if a younger patient is suitable for Breast Augmentation.
What Are the UK’s Breast Augmentation Age Requirements and Criteria
Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea, London, adhere to the Breast Augmentation age requirements in the UK, which recommend that surgeons shouldn’t perform Breast Enlargement on a patient under the age of 18 unless it is in their best interest.
To establish the best interest of the patient, the surgeon must consider whether the benefits of a Breast Augmentation significantly and demonstrably outweigh:
- Any potential risks and complications that may arise from performing a Breast Augmentation
- Any potential risks that may arise from not performing a Breast Augmentation at that specific time
When deciding if you are suitable for a teenage Breast Augmentation, your Consultant Breast Surgeon will primarily consider your concerns and their assessment; however, their professional discretion is also important, and different Consultant Breast Surgeons will judge certain Breast Augmentation age criteria in different ways.
Alongside your surgeon’s assessment, there may be other policies which need to be fulfilled in order for your Breast Augmentation to go ahead:
- A second Consultant Breast Surgeon may be required to sign off your Breast Augmentation surgical plan to ensure that your concerns have been comprehensively assessed
- Your Consultant Breast Surgeon may ask for a letter from your GP or a medical professional who has previously discussed your breast concerns to ensure that Breast Augmentation is the right treatment option for you
- If you will be under the age of 18 at the time your Breast Augmentation is carried out, you will need written parental permission
Some Cadogan Clinic Consultant Breast Surgeons may be happy to see you for a consultation at the Clinic’s award-winning facility in Chelsea, London, before you turn 18, to plan for carrying out your Breast Augmentation once you have then turned 18. This gives you the opportunity to understand the possibilities that are possible for you from Breast Augmentation at Cadogan Clinic, and how long you may need to wait, based on your breast development and any other concerns.
UK requirements outlining the minimum age for Breast Augmentation are put in place to safeguard patients and ensure their best interests are fully considered during the Breast Augmentation consultation process.
What is the Best Age to Get a Breast Augmentation?
Breast Augmentation is the most popular surgical procedure at Cadogan Clinic, London, and although for most patients the youngest age to get breast implants or fat transfer is 18, adult patients of all ages opt for Breast Augmentation.
Adult patients, over the age of 18, who meet the legal age for a Boob Job are unlikely to find that their age alone is a determining factor in whether they are suitable for Breast Augmentation. However, there are other considerations your Cadogan Clinic Consultant Breast Surgeon will take into account:
- Your Breast Concerns: During your Breast Augmentation consultation, your Consultant Breast Surgeon will discuss your breast concerns in depth to get a full understanding of why you wish to undergo Breast Augmentation surgery
- Your Desired Breast Augmentation Results: It is important to have realistic expectations for what a Breast Augmentation can achieve for you, and your Consultant Breast Surgeon will discuss your desired results and what you are able to achieve
- Your Medical History: To ensure you are fit and well for a Breast Augmentation surgery under general anaesthetic, your Consultant Breast Surgeon will discuss your overall health and any underlying medical conditions which may affect your Breast Augmentation procedure and results
- Previous Breast Procedures: If you have undergone a surgical breast procedure previously, for either medical or cosmetic reasons, your Consultant Breast Surgeon will need the details of the surgery (including details of any breast implants which were used) so they can successfully carry out your Breast Augmentation, and include Breast Implant Removal or Replacement, if necessary
How Old is Too Old for Breast Implants?
Other than the minimum age for a Boob Job, there aren’t any other age-related criteria specific to Breast Augmentation.
Although Breast Augmentation is most popular with patients under the age of 40, there are plenty of reasons that older patients choose to enhance the size and shape of their breasts:
The natural ageing process causes the skin of the breasts to become looser due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, two key proteins that strengthen and volumise the skin. Additionally, life events such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, and weight loss, cause the breasts to change shape, resulting in sagging or hanging lower on the chest.
Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea’s expert Consultant Breast Surgeons, all experts in Breast Augmentation and treating breast concerns associated with ageing, may recommend a combined Breast Lift, known as an Augmented Mastopexy, to enhance the final results.
For adult patients considering Breast Augmentation, age is rarely a factor in determining suitability; however, it is important to understand the other criteria your Consultant Breast Surgeon will wish to discuss during your consultation to achieve the most from your Breast Enlargement surgery.
Alternatives to Teenage Breast Augmentation
For patients who are either unsuitable for Breast Augmentation under 18, or who wish to wait until they have reached the legal age for a Boob Job for other reasons, there are options to consider which may temporarily address your breast concerns:
Exercise
Strengthening the chest muscles with exercise can help the breasts to appear larger and more lifted as an alternative to Breast Augmentation. Chest exercises, which strengthen and tone the pectoral muscles which lie behind the breasts, may help to give the appearance of larger breasts.
Chest exercises to consider include:
• Dumbbell chest press
• Dumbbell pec fly
• Push-ups
• Up-down plank
• Chair dips
It is important to remember that although exercise may increase the size of the breasts subtly, it won’t achieve the same dramatic effects that are possible from a Breast Augmentation. Additionally, exercise must be consistent to maintain the results you achieve.
Enhancing Underwear
Many individuals who aren’t ready for a Breast Augmentation opt to wear a padded or push-up bra, which can shape and position the breasts in a flattering way without surgery.
However, the effects of enhancing underwear only last as long as they are worn and therefore cannot address confidence concerns that may arise in intimate relationships or during certain sports or physical activities, when wearing an enhancing bra may not be possible.
Alternatives to Breast Augmentation to Avoid
Self-consciousness about the size of the breasts is an extremely common concern and can often feel overwhelming, especially for young people. The strength of these insecurities can lead to individuals looking for solutions to increase the size of their breasts without surgery, due to age, cost or other factors.
Unfortunately, disreputable companies offer creams, supplements and other products, with the promise that they will achieve a significant and permanent increase in breast size, with no clinical evidence or safety data. It is important to understand that these products are not able to achieve an increase in breast size and may even be unsafe to take. Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons strongly emphasise not purchasing or trying any Breast Augmentation creams or supplements, as they may be dangerous for your health.
Although alternatives to Breast Augmentation exist to enhance the appearance of the breasts, it is important to understand that their results are temporary and to avoid any product that promises impossible results.
A Breast Augmentation, as carried out at Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea, by a Cadogan Clinic Consultant Breast Surgeon, is the only safe, long-term option to effectively increase the size and enhance the shape of the breasts, delivering the best results.
Words From Our Founder
Mr. Bryan Mayou
At Cadogan Clinic in Chelsea, London, patient safety is our Consultant Breast Surgeons’ top priority. The age criteria put in place for Breast Augmentation patients under the age of 18 is strict, and very few patients are suitable. Although this can be frustrating, it is important to understand that the procedure will be more successful when performed at the right time.
Mr. Bryan Mayou
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can you get a Boob Job?
In most cases in the UK, the minimum Breast Enlargement age for cosmetic purposes is 18.
However, in some rare cases, Breast Augmentation is carried out at a younger age to address medical concerns, such as:
- Congenital conditions
- Significant asymmetry
- Breast reconstruction
Whether this is possible is based on the severity and impact of the patient’s breast concerns, and also on their breasts being fully developed.
Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons are experts in performing Breast Augmentation to address all concerns and are highly experienced in determining a patient's suitability for Breast Augmentation.
Is there an age limit for breast implants?
In the UK, and at Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea, the youngest age to get breast implants for purely cosmetic reasons is 18. These criteria are based on protecting patient safety and the minimum legal age at which an individual is considered to be an adult with full bodily autonomy.
However, it is important to remember that to be suitable for a Breast Augmentation with breast implants, your breasts need to be fully developed, and for some patients, their breast development may not be complete until they are in their early 20s, meaning they may not be suitable for a Breast Augmentation until slightly later.
On the other hand, there is no upper age limit for breast implants, and many older patients opt for Breast Augmentation to address common concerns caused by ageing, weight loss, and pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons are experts in Breast Augmentation and highly experienced in assessing patient suitability to develop the best surgical treatment plan for each patient.
What is the best age to get a boob job?
Outside the UK’s Breast Augmentation age requirements, the best time for a Breast Augmentation will vary from patient to patient, depending on their concerns.
For patients who wish to address breast concerns caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding, your Cadogan Clinic Consultant Breast Surgeon will recommend that you complete your family and finish breastfeeding, to ensure your Breast Augmentation results are not affected by future pregnancy and breastfeeding.
In cases where a patient wishes to address the effects of dramatic weight loss with Breast Augmentation, Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons will recommend that you have reached your ideal weight and maintained it for 6-12 months to prevent weight fluctuations from impacting your Breast Augmentation outcomes.
Can you get breast implants under 18?
In the vast majority of cases, it is not possible to get breast implants under the age of 18 due to Breast Enlargement age criteria and physical breast development.
However, in rare instances where the breasts are fully developed, and breast implants are a suitable medical treatment to address congenital concerns, significant breast asymmetry, or to reconstruct the breasts, it may be possible to get breast implants under 18.
Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Breast Surgeons work closely in line with the UK’s Breast Augmentation criteria and guidelines to ensure that all Breast Augmentation procedures are performed safely and in the patient's best interests.
