An elastomeric gel-filled prosthetic implant (10) having a shell made of a singlegel barrier layer. The barrier layer (14) is formed of a homogeneous siliconeelastomer capable of sterically retarding permeation of the silicone gel throughthe shell and having a bleed rate that is less than about 40% of. the bleed rate ofcurrent shells which use a sandwiched construction with an internal barrierlayer. Further, the barrier layer shell is made of a material that exhibits a wetstrength that is comparable to or greater than current shells. The silicone elastomermay be a polydimethyl siloxane, and the substituted chemical group is a diphenylgroup with a minimum mole percent of at least 13%. The implant may be designed forbreast reconstruction or augmentation such that the shell is accordingly shaped.The shell wall thickness is at least 0.254 mm (0.010 inches), and desirably about0.456 mm (0.018 inches). The implant shell may be made by dip-forming, spray-forming, or rotational molding. The exterior may be smooth or textured.
