One round of Silikin 1000 in each cheek. Can it be removed?

In some, a single treatment of Silikon-1000 may provide subtle improvement, and many patients request several treatments, at monthly intervals for a desired result.In our practice, we consider silicone injections permanent, and irremovable. It's not clear from your question why you desire removal. If you are having issues with your initial treatment, feel free to re-ask your question. Thank you.Dr Joseph

Hello Taurian34, and thank you for your question about removing Silikon 1000 from your cheeks.

Removing Silikon 1000 is possible, but the process depends on the location of the injections and the extent of integration with surrounding tissue. There are three primary surgical approaches for removing silicone from the cheeks:

From inside the cheek: This method involves an incision inside the mouth to access and remove the silicone. While it avoids visible external scars, it provides limited visibility and may not allow complete removal, especially if the silicone has migrated or is encapsulated in deeper tissues.

Direct incision above the silicone: This approach involves making an incision directly over the area where the silicone is located. While it provides good access to the product, it leaves a highly visible scar on the cheek, which can be difficult to conceal.

Facelift incision: This is my preferred method for removing silicone from the cheeks. A facelift incision allows the skin to be lifted and peeled back, providing excellent visibility and access to the silicone. This approach minimizes the risk of leaving behind residual product and allows for more precise removal. Additionally, as a benefit, you also get the results of a facelift, including tighter, smoother skin, with scars concealed along natural contours and hairlines.

Facelift incisions are especially advantageous because they enable a comprehensive approach to silicone removal while offering an aesthetic improvement to the overall face. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are risks, including potential scarring, contour irregularities, and the possibility that some silicone may remain if it is too integrated into the tissue.

If you are considering silicone removal, I strongly recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in dealing with permanent fillers. They can assess your case and help you choose the best surgical approach to minimize scarring and achieve optimal results.

I hope this helps clarify the options for removing Silikon 1000 from your cheeks and provides reassurance about the benefits of the facelift incision approach.

Sincerely,
J. Timothy Katzen, MD

Silicone biopolymers can cause severe longterm complications including inflammation and nodule formulation. Although results are longer-lasting that Juvederm or Restylane, long-acting fillers should be avoided.  
Bellafill, Artefill, and PMMA are known to cause granulomas and permanent nodules with swelling. This is not the case for everyone. Silicone biopolymers can also cause similar chronic inflammatory conditions. 
In my practice, I specialize in the removal of Bellafill and Artefill injections, in addition to silicone biopolymers, from the face and body. Initially, treatments are non-surgical with corticosteroids and immune modulators. If unable to be corrected, we can also perform surgery in some cases. 
Silicone biopolymers can also be removed from the body if there are signs of migration or inflammation. All of these filler-types should be removed as early as possible. 
Lastly, our office is conducting ongoing studies of plasma-assisted corticosteroid application, which allows for diffusion of the treatment medication in superficial tissue without causing atrophy. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon