Is Silikon 1000 truly permanent? Doesn't this collagen degrade slowly over time?

Your body’s response to Silikon-1000 injections may lead to less collagen production than you think. The microdroplets that may be deposited do not cause the body to produce significant amounts of collagen - people’s results 2 weeks post injection do not continue to augment with time. Sculptra is very different than Silikon-1000 as a filler. Hope this helps! Dr Joseph 

Hello Victoria1988, and thank you for your question regarding Silikon 1000 and its permanence.

You are correct that the silicone itself does not degrade, making Silikon 1000 a permanent filler. While it is true that much of the initial volume after silicone injections comes from the body’s collagen response, this collagen does not degrade in the same way that collagen from temporary fillers like Sculptra does. Instead, the collagen formed around silicone injections is part of the body’s attempt to encapsulate the silicone as a foreign material. This is a permanent response because the silicone particles remain in the tissue indefinitely, continuing to stimulate the production of collagen.

Unlike Sculptra, which is designed to stimulate collagen that naturally diminishes over time, the body’s response to silicone is often unpredictable. Over time, this ongoing stimulation can lead to scar tissue formation, nodules, and hard lumps, making the volume and texture highly variable and sometimes disfiguring. Moreover, the encapsulation process can trap the silicone in ways that make it difficult to control or remove if complications occur.

Even though the collagen may initially contribute to the volume and structure, the presence of silicone ensures that the results—and potential complications—are permanent. If issues like migration, asymmetry, or inflammation arise, they cannot be reversed by simply removing the collagen, as the silicone remains embedded in the tissue. Surgical removal is the only way to address such complications, which can involve significant scarring and tissue damage.

For these reasons, I strongly caution against the use of permanent fillers like Silikon 1000. The risks far outweigh the benefits, particularly given the unpredictable nature of the body’s long-term response. Safer, temporary fillers like hyaluronic acid products provide more predictable and reversible results. I hope this information clarifies the permanence of Silikon 1000 and the associated risks.

Sincerely,
J. Timothy Katzen, MD

I have a large series of patients in whom I have successfully removed silicone. The technique is usually surgical and removes excess silicone granulomas. Best, Dr. KaramanoukianRealself100 Surgeon