I have silicone injections in my cheeks. What kind of steriods will remove it and how do they work?

Question

Will the steroids make the scar tissue softer? What effects will the steroids have?

Jeremy S. Nikfarjam, MD · Answer

This is a great question! Unfortunately, steroid injections only temporarily reduce inflammation. They do not remove the cause (silicone). Steroid use may mask symptoms but doesn’t prevent recurrence. It is important to note, long-term use of steroid injections weaken tissue, delays healing, masks infection or abscess and are typically only used as short-term bridges, not a cure. It is crucial to see an experienced, Board-Certified plastic surgeon who specializes in silicone/biopolymer removal and reconstruction after foreign body removal. I recommend reaching out with your full history and photos. An MRI with silicone-specific protocol is recommended. This helps map the remaining silicone and inflammation areas precisely which is crucial when creating a customized surgical plan.

I am a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a specialized focus on silicone and biopolymer removal. Over the years, I have dedicated my practice to safely addressing complications arising from these materials. Recognizing the unique challenges they pose, I developed a removal and reconstruction technique that is designed to ensure the most complete removal possible while minimizing risks and optimizing patient outcomes. I'd be happy to see you for a clinical evaluation whether it be a complimentary virtual consultation or an in-office appointment to discuss your options.   Please note – insurance can cover these procedures if your plan holds out of network coverage and the procedure is deemed medically necessary. My Silicone Coordinator can look into existing coverage during your initial call. (516) 279-2616

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Jackitexas85, 
Thank you for your questions about having silicone injections in your cheeks, what kind of steriods will remove them, and how steroids work.  First, silicone should never be injected into any part of the body.  Silicone injections should be illegal and are not recommended by the FDA.  In fact, on the FDA website, there is a lengthy webpage citing the hazards of silicone injections.  Second, steroids will not remove silicone injections.  Steroids decrease the inflammatory response, or your reaction to the silicone.  Steroids decrease foreign body rejection and decrease your body’s ability to create scar tissue.  Thus, steroids make the scar softer because they prohibit the inflammatory response and subsequent development of scar tissue.  Steroids do not eliminate or remove silicone. Therefore, steroids only provide temporary relief from symptoms.  Steroids are just a band-aid and do not remove the silicone.  Some plastic surgeons specialize in the silicone removal of the face and body parts.  I suggest you schedule consultations with one of them.  A common way to remove silicone from the cheeks is to approach the silicone removal through a facelift incision.  Removing the silicone from the face and cheeks may take several hours, depending on the case’s complexity.  Good luck with the removal of the silicone from your cheeks.  I hope I have answered your questions regarding what to do with silicone injections in your cheeks and what kind of steroids are used to remove silicone.  Sincerely, Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD,

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Silicone injections in the cheeks are difficult to treat. Intralesional injections may help to mitigate the inflammatory process. Lip silicone can be removed with surgery. Raffy Karamanoukian MD FACSLos Angeles

Raj S. Ambay, MD · Answer

Silicone injections in various parts of the body has been done quite frequently all over the country. The difficulty with silicone injections begins with the quality of the silicone itself. I have seen many cases where industrial grade silicone has been injected inside the human body. This can be a tremendous disaster. Problems can include infections, granulomas, cellulitis, and persistent skin infections, disfigurement and skin dimpling. It is very easy to have silicone injected, but very difficult to have it removed. The removal can frequently be very complex and involved lengthy surgery. Multiple operation is not uncommon. It is not uncommon to expect scars in locations that would otherwise be undesirable. If you do have silicone, or are having problem with silicone that was injected by a non-healthcare provider then you should certainly seek medical attention. Some solutions include IV antibiotics, oral antibiotics and surgery after the inflammation has subsided. Removing the silicone is not just a cosmetic issue but also an issue of better health. Depending on the type of silicone injected concerns with autoimmune diseases and infections are foremost. Taking medications such as ibuprofen or cortisone is only a temporary measure. The real solution is surgery. Not all plastic surgeons are willing to operate on patients who have had silicone injected in their body. Many of these cases are not covered by insurance because they were performed for cosmetic reasons. My recommendation to anyone that has had silicone injections and wishes to have it removed, is to seek a board certified plastic surgeon who is likely willing to do more than 1 operation as well as willing to do some of these operations in a hospital setting. I have had patients visit me for removal of silicone and the discussion to proceed is never an easy one.

Channing R. Barnett, MD · Answer

It would be helpful to know why you want to remove the silicone and what your concerns are. That being said, intralesional Kenalog (cortisone) can help to break up and diminish the results from silicone injections. I recommend you consult with a board-certified physician experienced in injecting liquid silicone and in using cortisone to correct and unwanted results from it.

I have silicone injections in my cheeks. What kind of steriods will remove it and how do they work?

Answers (5)

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