A ‘revolutionary’ new breast implant that harnesses NASA technology and is used on board the International Space Station has won over a legion of fans.
B-Lite implants, pioneered by London-based plastic surgeon Dr Roberto Viel, use borosilicate glass, a strong but lightweight material used in the heat shield that protected Nasa’s space shuttles during re-entry to earth.
Touted as ‘the implants of the future’, they are said to be not only 30 per cent lighter than traditional silicone implants, but also ripple-proof thanks to their reduced weight.
According to Dr. Viel, of the London Centre of Aesthetic Surgery (LCAS), they also have a shorter recovery time of as little as two weeks, while borosilicate makes sagging less likely.
A B-lite implant (left) compared to a traditional silicone implant (right) is said to weigh less, reducing sagging and rippling over time according to its makers at LCAS
Borosilicate glass also makes up the tiny microscopic balls (microspheres) found within the implants.
It is found in the windows on board the Cupola at the International Space Station.
And now they have had the celebrity seal of approval, after Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry had the implants inserted when she went under the knife on April 30.
The implants were developed at LCAS, who say their reduced weight alleviates the strain on the body, lessening women’s chance of developing back ache and making it easier to exercise comfortably.
The borosilicate glass used in the implants is also used in NASA space shuttles (pictured: The Atlantis shuttle lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in September 2000)
Famous fan: Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry had the implants inserted when she went under the knife on April 30 (pictured here showing off the results of her surgery)
‘Pioneering’: Dr Viel, who created the implants, claims they also have a shorter recovery time of as little as two weeks, while borosilicate makes sagging less likely
Dr Viel explained: ‘With a normal breast implant, the tissue surrounding the insert naturally lose their elasticity over time, making them increasingly susceptible to drooping.
‘B-Lite, meanwhile, help to reduce any gravitational stress on the breast soft-tissue, as well as retaining shape and form in the long term.’
The implants use materials that are fully biocompatible, meaning they are safe to use in the human body.