Russian Women Sell Used Silicone Breast Implants Online Amid Health Warnings

A peculiar trend has emerged in Russia where women are selling their used silicone breast implants online after having them surgically removed. Advertisements for these implants have appeared on various secondhand platforms, offering the implants either as a cheaper alternative to new ones or as collectible oddities. Some sellers list detailed descriptions including size, brand, condition, and duration of use, with prices significantly lower than new implants.

Medical professionals in Russia have expressed serious concerns about this practice, warning that breast implants are not designed for reuse. After years inside the body, implants can become worn, contaminated, or damaged, and may be covered with tissue residues that cannot be safely removed at home. Even if an implant appears intact externally, its shell may be weakened or have tiny tears, posing risks of silicone leakage, inflammation, pain, tissue damage, and other complications requiring further surgery.

This trend coincides with a decline in the popularity of breast augmentation surgeries in Russia over the past decade. Reports indicate that more women are opting to remove or replace their implants, with some possibly attempting to recoup part of their expenses by selling the used implants online. Experts emphasize the health dangers of reusing such medical devices and discourage this practice.