Is silicone really safe for the human body?

Question

I want to get breast implants but fear the safety of silicone. I am confused why in the medical field, FDA, and plastic surgery silicone is treated as safe for the human body but why is silicone injections banned by the FDA then? After working in the special effects industry for movies, silicone IS treated as A TOXIN and prosthetic companies that manufacture silicone based products warn of skin contact and toxicity of silicone with workers and actors? Please help on these thoughts?

Brian C. Reuben, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Medical grade silicone is an inert substance and safe for the human body.  Silicone implants have been approved by our FDA after extensive research.  Silicone implants are silicone contained in a shell and are carefully placed during surgery.  Silicone injections are typically free silicone, usually not medical grade silicone, and have the risk of injection into a blood vessel which can be extremely dangerous, and thus banned by the FDA.

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

Silicone got a bad rap back in "92-'93.  They commissioned an Institute of Medicine Study which found NO correlation to silicone implants and all of the diseases they were alleged to have been a factor in.  At least 400 peer-reviewed medical studies have confirmed this.  The new implants are even better now as the leak rate is much decreased and the gel is designed to not leak from the implant, even in the unlikely event an implant may be damaged.	In short, they are safe, or I would not put them in my patients.

Vivek Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Many early silicone implants were very bad as the shells on the outside of the implants were prone to erosion, and allowed the gel inside to leak out and migrate, getting into the lymphatics and causing issues if not treated early.  There were many makers with diverse quality control, and they were left in too loing, sometimes 20 years or more.  However, all the studies conducted after the silicone ban  to determine if there were connective tissue disorders due to silicone implants  was negative, meaning silicone caused no issues when properly placed.  The new silicone gel implants are very good, not prone to leaking, and do not have the syrup like gel inside.  Most of our patients use silicone gel, and we have never had a leak.  They feel like real breast tissue compared to saline.  I hope this helps!

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.In general, medical grade silicone is widely accepted as safe and is used in many parts of the body besides in breast implants.  Breast implants have silicone gel that is contained within a silicone elastomer shell.Injectable silicone is a completely different story and should not be injected into the breasts.

To be sure what is right for you, see two or more experienced,
board-certified Plastic Surgeons for a complete evaluation to make sure you are
a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have breast implant surgery.

I hope this helps.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

That is the billion dollar question that still lingers out there.  Personally, I prefer saline.  They feel almost the same in most women and offer better peace of mind.  Also, there is a lower capsular contracture rate.  If you are the least bit worried about the safety of silicone, just go with saline.  You'll have less stress and probably fewer problems in the long run.

Is silicone really safe for the human body?

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast Implant Surgery

Answer: Breast Implant Surgery

Answer: Is silicone safe?

Answer: Is silicone safe?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Is silicone really safe for the human body?

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast Implant Surgery

Answer: Breast Implant Surgery

Answer: Is silicone safe?

Answer: Is silicone safe?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.