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Whether it is due to celebrity propaganda or simply the double beauty standards of society, silicone injections are the center of much speculation and controversy. Every day we hear about cosmetic procedures of our favorite celebrities gone wrong. So what is the truth? Simply put, silicone injections are extremely dangerous. This statement may confuse you, given that some healthcare professionals or doctors claim to have authentic liquid silicone that can fix you up easily. Beware, dear reader, for these are false claims and uncertified doctors who mean to make money by any means necessary.
Liquid injectable silicone has been in use since World War II. It is mainly used for soft tissue augmentation. Are you planning to change certain parts of your body? Ask yourself if it is worth thousands of dollars, not to mention other adverse side effects.
Injectable silicone is not in any regard approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration, otherwise known as the FDA. They do not authorize its usage for any kind of aesthetic treatment like facial or body enhancement or contouring. These injections can be subject to long-term pain, scarring, disfiguration, infections, embolism, stroke, or even death in overexposure to silicone. Considering the risk they pose to the body, a vast majority of people that previously had them are undergoing silicone injections removal these days to prevent the silicone from spreading in their body.
What is Injectable Silicone?
Some cosmetic procedures use liquid silicone injections as fillers. It is more permanent than other fillers, but its permanence can be a liability and an asset. Unlike other fillers, silicone does not absorb or break down by the body.
It is not an injectable dermal filler. They may have similar properties, but not knowing the difference can mean the decision between life and death. Yes, folks, that’s how dangerous injectable silicone is. To clear the air, for one, the injectable dermal fillers are approved and regulated strictly by the FDA. Like everything under the FDA-approved list, most dermal fillers are temporary. They consist of materials the body breaks down in time and absorbs for good measure. As we said before, this authority does not approve injectable silicone, nor is it one of the eco-friendly materials that our body can break down.
If silicone is used as a facial filler, it is injected in very small amounts (never more than 1 cc on average) over one to three treatments. Then, through microdroplet injections, liquid silicone is injected into the tissue and prompted to grow collagen around it.
To give a fair warning, even if your doctor swears that the liquid silicone injection is safe (you have questionable taste in doctors), never allow it to be used as a breast filler, buttock filler, or as a filler to be used between your muscles.
Why People Opt for Silicone Injectables?
Despite the risks associated with it, people still opt for silicone fillers. There are several reasons behind it. Such as:
Lack of knowledge
Most people aren’t even aware of the health risks associated with silicone injections. Consequently, when their aesthetician recommends it, they accept it.
Permanence
One of the main reasons why a major chunk of the population still opts for silicone despite its risks is permanence. Unlike temporary hyaluronic-acid fillers, such as Restylane and Juvéderm, as well as Sculptra, the results of silicone injectables are long-lasting and almost permanent.
What are the after-effects of silicone injections?
It’s not like the FDA disapproves of every silicone item. For example, silicone breast implants are considered to be safe to use for aesthetic procedures. However, injecting it directly into your bloodstream may harm your body. They can lead to a multitude of health problems like:
Autoimmune problems & Weak Immunity
Research in recent years has observed the rise of immune system conditions that link to exposure to a high level of silicone. They include:
- systemic lupus erythematosus
- rheumatoid arthritis
- progressive systemic sclerosis
- vasculitis
These autoimmune conditions that may connect with silicone implants refer to silicone implant incompatibility syndrome (SIIS) or silicone reactive disorder. A typical array of symptoms to identify the condition include:
- anemia
- blood clots
- brain fog and memory problems
- chest pain
- eye problems
- fatigue
- fever
- joint pain
- hair loss
- kidney issues
- rashes
- sensitivity to sunlight and other lights
- sores in the mouth
While we agree that breast implants are a safe bet, who knew they are not without their own issues?
Breast Implant-Associated – Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
Breast cancer of this type is rare. As you may have already guessed, this occurs in women with silicone breast implants. Its symptoms can appear as such:
- asymmetry
- breast enlargement
- breast hardening
- fluid collection developing at least a year after getting an implant
- lump in the breast or armpit
- overlying skin rash
- pain
Hydrogel and Silicone Buttock Injections
The most common components in buttock silicone injections are hydrogel and silicone. Since there is nothing to contain them to the buttocks, they flow throughout the body, causing granuloma lumps. Other problems like infections and scarring may occur as well. It also increases the risk of a stroke.
There is a high risk of death for multiple reasons. First, the inexperienced providers who do not know how to handle an injection properly or where to place it may inject the silicone directly into your bloodstream, which would then travel to the heart. Such actions can be fatal.
The pretenders also work under unsterile conditions, which increases the risk of infection, the transfer of STDs as well as death. Moreover, the unlicensed providers often use nonmedical grade silicone and may fill your body with silicone sealants (usually used in household construction)
How to diagnose overexposure to silicone?
Well, the smart thing would be to admit that you were stupid enough to get a silicone injection in your butt. Now it’s not working out, but other than that, if you suspect any problem, go to your doctor. You know, the one with credentials. They will check several things like:
- Checking your overall health through a physical exam
- Check your medical history to see if you have had any cosmetic surgery or trauma
- Make sure your body doesn’t contain any silicone that needs to be removed by imaging tests
Additionally, FDA encourages people with implants to get an MRI after three years to confirm their condition is stable.
The Way Forward!
Now we think we’ve covered all the reasons why you should not get a silicone injection in your body. Ask yourself these questions if you’re still hell-bent on it. Is it worth it? Are you willing to spend bucket loads of money just to feel pretty for a few years and then for complication surgeries? Think about it carefully.
