Silicone Injections
Answered by admin
A startling and dangerous new trend has developed over the past decade among people who want to have fuller looking faces, breasts, and buttocks. They are injecting (or having another non-physician injecting) medical-grade silicone directly into these areas of the body. While these injections may temporarily enhance beauty, they are likely to cause long-term health problems and, in rare cases, death.
Medical-grade silicone has very few FDA-approved uses. One is to treat retinal detachment, in which the silicone holds the retina in place until it reattaches itself to the surface of the eye. The silicone is usually removed after a year. It is also used in sealed sacs for implants. It is rarely injected directly into the body.
Silicone does not dissipate after an injection. It hardens in place and large pieces can sometimes drift to areas away from the initial injection site. Sometimes patients will develop large clumps of silicone in various places on the face, imparting a lumpy and unnatural look. These lumps become even more pronounced as the patient ages and loses the surrounding natural fat in the face.
You have no way of knowing if you are truly being injected with medical-grade silicone if you are not being treated by a physician. Silicone is sold in large amounts at hardware stores because it is also used as a sealant–many questionable injectors get their silicone from these places. This type of silicone is not sterile and is often mixed with other types of chemicals. It can cause severe infections or burns. Recently, there have been several cases of pieces of silicone breaking off and entering the bloodstream or lungs resulting in death.
It is never a good idea to inject yourself or have a nonprofessional inject you with any sort of medical substance. When used appropriately, silicone can be an effective way to add volume to the face and lip but should only be injected by a trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Unlike other commonly used facial fillers, silicone is considered “permanent” and thus requires specialized knowledge and expertise to inject. You should seek out a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to explore all of your options. If you are interested in discussing treatment options for the face, contact the experts at Skin & Laser Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey today for a consultation: (646) 461-8550.