Non-Silicone Breast Forms
There are a number of breast forms available that are not made of silicone. Manufacturers may market them as "leisure" forms, "sleep" forms, or "post-surgery" forms, but some women prefer them to silicone and use them for everyday wear on a permanent basis. Other women like to use non-silicone forms for some activities and silicone forms for others. Many non-silicone forms are unweighted or lightly weighted and thus very comfortable. Often, they look quite natural, but some don't have the lifelike feel of silicone.
If you want to try making your own breast forms, check out the tutorial, How to Make a Micro Bead Breast Form, posted on our BreastFree Blog. For those of you who like to sew, the instructions will enable you to fashion a form that is light as air, soft, and washable. Also, patterns are available for knitted forms. Using soft yarns, you can customize your own comfortable shape. A knitting pattern with detailed directions is available at the knitty.com website. If you don't knit, you can order custom knitted forms in a wide variety of yarns from TitBits. There is also an organization, Knitted Knockers Charities, Inc., that provides free patterns and volunteers who will knit you a pair of forms if you can't knit them yourself. Knitting and crocheting instructions can also be found at the website of Bosom Buddies of the QC, under the heading "Instructions."
ABC First Form - 916
This innovative form is made of memory foam meant to mold to your body. The memory foam gives it a very light weight, making it slightly heavier than foam forms and less likely to ride up in a bra. This is a great form for exercising, relaxing at home, or everyday wear. The removable cover has a silky nylon finish in front, so gives a smooth appearance under clothes.
Note that while the memory foam does yield to the touch, it's not nearly as soft as silicone. Still, this is a great choice if you want an ultra-lightweight form that's comfortable and gives you a natural-looking shape.
Amoena Weighted Leisure Form 132
This is the first non-silicone form to employ Amoena's Comfort+ technology, which is integrated into the back of the breast form cover. According to Amoena, "A Comfort+ fabric layer works continuously to maintain a dry environment by absorbing excess body heat and helping to reduce perspiration behind the form."
The form contains another innovation — the weight is supplied by barium sulfate powder. Barium Sulfate is a naturally-occurring mineral which does not retain water as typical powders do, so when washed it should dry more quickly. Since the newer version of the 132 has a removable cover, it should only be necessary to wash the actual form infrequently, if at all. Another benefit of barium sulfate powder is that it will not set off metal detectors at airports or other venues.
The form is nicely shaped and comfortable. It provides just enough weight to keep bras from riding up. Some women may like the 132 so much that it becomes their everyday form. It's a particularly good choice for women who live in a warm climate.
Illusions Breast Replacement
This soft, lightweight breast form is a wonderful alternative to heavier, stickier silicone forms. It can be worn in a pocketed or unpocketed bra. While lighter than even the lightweight silicone forms, this creme-filled form has enough weight to hold it in place inside an unpocketed bra. One caveat — the form runs large. For a 34B, a size A would probably work. A matching empty cup is sold with the Illusion to provide smoothness across both breasts, helpful for those with unilateral mastectomies. These forms can be easily hand washed and air dried.
Pals Breast Enhancers
Pals breast forms are made from a non-silicone soft gel polymer. They contain medical grade natural mineral oils and can be worn against the skin. In fact, the company claims that the forms will help moisturize your skin while you wear them. These forms have flat backs and are marketed both as "enhancers" for natural breasts and as breast forms. They are very inexpensive compared to silicone forms, so some women purchase them as "extra" breast forms. Also, since Pals forms are available with prominent nipples, some women find them a good choice for intimate moments.
You can choose among several Pals options. The "Triangles with Nipples" are quite lifelike, soft, and comfortable. They are flat in back. Be aware that the smallest size Triangle is equivalent to a B cup and the forms are at least as heavy as silicone. However, they can be trimmed to customize the fit without damaging the gel. Also, unlike silicone forms, they are puncture-proof. The Pals Triangle form is pictured in the Photographs section of BreastFree, in the photo set entitled Pals breast forms. One of the photographs demonstrates how the form can be trimmed as needed.
If you prefer something smaller and lighter, you can opt for the "Push-ups with Nipples". The Push-up form is also available in a no-nipple version. In the past, Pals has been willing to customize forms, for example by making a standard size a half-size smaller or larger. The charge for this has been very reasonable.
To care for Pals forms, wash them with soap and water, dry with a paper towel, and then dust with powder (corn starch is recommended). If not dusted with powder, the forms can become tacky. Some women prefer to wear their Pals without powder and only use the powder when storing the forms. Also, Pals should be stored in a plastic bag or other such protection. If left on wood surfaces, the oils in the form can stain the wood.
Still You Fiber Filled Pad
This unweighted fiber-filled form is made by Still You, the manufacturer of the Illusions Breast Replacement, reviewed above. Constructed in the same oval shape as the Illusions, its fiber filling makes it almost weightless, but unlike other unweighted forms (for example Amoena's Leisure Form, Style 126), the form feels very soft to the touch (the Illusions form is also very soft, but has a slight amount of weight). The form works beautifully in a Still You Tank Top camisole (see "Camisoles" in the Bras and Camisoles section of BreastFree ) and can be worn in unpocketed bras. This versatile form is extremely inexpensive, making it a good option, especially for exercise or other activities where comfort is paramount.
TLC's Micro-Bead Lightweight Breast Form
TLC, the mastectomy product website of the American Cancer Society, offers an almost-weightless breast form that has all the benefits of unweighted foam forms while feeling softer and more pliable. Women who have tried this form love it. It works particularly well in a pocketed camisole, though it can also be worn in either an unpocketed bra or a mastectomy bra.
One drawback some women mention is that the form doesn't create as natural a shape as some other forms in that it can flatten out in certain bras and camisoles. But it's a great option when you want the lightest possible weight, along with some softness.
Trulife Tri-Leisure and Tri-Featherweight Forms
These foam breast forms are great for wearing when you need an unweighted or lightly weighted form. They feature a cotton-backed cover which can be removed for washing, something not found in the Amoena Leisure Forms with Comfort+.
The Tri-Leisure form has an inner weighted core which gives it a slight amount of weight, which helps prevent the form from riding up. The Tri-Featherweight form is unweighted, good for wearing when riding up is not a problem.