Glasses dents on nose. Is Silikon 1000 a safe long-term treatment? (Photo)

Silicone is NOT a natural substance; it is a foreign body, and, as such, cannot be naturally metabolized away by the body. It works by stimulating the surrounding normal tissue to wall the foreign body by surrounding it with fibrous tissue. Silikon 1000 is not FDA-approved for cosmetic uses, only for opthalmic use. Permanent fillers of all kinds have been associated with the subsequent development of lumps and granulomas not only immediately following treatment, bur in some cases up to five, ten or twenty+ years later. And these are very difficult to treat, since there is no dissolving enzyme for them and surgery to remove them can itself cause scarring. In this case, the use of a low viscosity, malleable, cohesive HA filler, properly injected by an experienced board certified cosmetic dermatology physician injector, can be used to elevate and smooth the dents. Alternatively, subcision, a simple technique for elevating and smoothing all kinds of indented scars and depressions that I have been using since 1995, with a several decades' long proven track record and safety would be an alternative approach for achieving a long-term improvement. You would be wise to make sure that you consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist before embarking on invasive, expensive surgeries or the use of permanent fillers.. Hope this helps.

Hello Dan91829, and thank you for your question about using Silikon 1000 to correct dents on your nose from glasses.

While Silikon 1000 may sound appealing as a quick, minimally invasive solution, I strongly caution against using it for this purpose. Silikon 1000 is a permanent filler made of liquid silicone, and while it might initially provide the desired correction, its permanence comes with significant long-term risks.

One of the main concerns with Silikon 1000 is its tendency to cause migration, where the silicone shifts from the original injection site over time, leading to unevenness or deformities. This can be particularly problematic in an area as delicate and visible as the nose. Additionally, silicone often triggers a foreign body response, which can lead to scar tissue formation, granulomas, or chronic inflammation years after the initial injection.

If complications arise, the only way to address them is through surgical removal, which can be invasive and may leave scars or permanently alter the shape of the nose. The removal process is complex because silicone integrates into the surrounding tissues, making it difficult to extract completely without affecting nearby structures.

While rhinoplasty may seem intimidating, it remains a far safer and more predictable option for correcting issues like dents on the nose. A skilled plastic surgeon can provide precise, long-lasting results without the long-term risks associated with permanent fillers. If surgery feels like too big of a step, temporary fillers like hyaluronic acid fillers (e.g., Restylane or Juvederm) could be a safer alternative. These fillers can be dissolved if necessary and provide flexibility for adjustments over time.

I strongly advise against Silikon 1000 for your concerns. While it may seem like a quick fix, the potential for severe complications outweighs the benefits. Please consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to explore safer and more reliable options for addressing your dents.

Sincerely,
J. Timothy Katzen, MD

That said, if the indentations are only where your glasses sit, this could be just from your glasses pushing swelling away. I have a feeling that if you were to go several days without wearing your glasses, these indentations would disappear. Additionally, after we inject Silikon-1000 into the nose, we advise against using eyeglasses, if they lay on the area injected, for at least two weeks after the injection. Hope this helps! Dr Joseph

The silicone is safe and if placed into the proper position and glasses are perhaps altered so that there is no contact after the initial injections, there should not be a problem. It is just part of the skin. But, in some people the area will remain sensitive for weeks after the injections, so the smartest thing to do is to hold off on using the glasses if they contact the area of injection. Your eyeglass specialist can alter the pads so accommodate for the contact points.