In the hands of an experienced provider, penile augmentation with HA fillers (or fat) is considered safe and effective.
Complications tend to be mild and rare (occurring in 4.3% of patients in the aforementioned study), but they can happen. Risks include swelling, hypersensitivity, asymmetry, nodules, and penile disfigurement. “The risk of infection is very small, but not zero,” says Dr. Neavin.
The biggest risk, he says, is improper injection technique or product. Filler injections with needles instead a cannula, or accidentally injecting into a blood vessel could cause a vascular occlusion. This rare but serious side effect can lead to skin necrosis (tissue death) or an embolism, which can be life-threatening.
Very long-acting products, such as liquid silicone or long-acting fillers (including heavily cross-linked, long-lasting HA products), may cause biofilm granulomas, a lump that can deform the penis. If they form, granulomas can very difficult to eliminate, especially in the case of silicone.
“Be sure you know what is being injected, and see someone experienced in penis filler injections,” Dr. Neavin advises. “This is not like facial fillers; the anatomy and technical nuance are much different.”