Does Silikon 1000 not work in some people?

Hello Sarah799, and thank you for your question about Silikon 1000 and why it may seem ineffective for you.

It is highly unusual for Silikon 1000 to "disappear" or stop showing results, as it is a permanent filler that does not get metabolized by the body. If your lips appear to return to their pre-treatment state shortly after each injection, it is possible that the filler is migrating from the intended injection site or becoming encapsulated by scar tissue. Silicone has a tendency to shift over time, especially in areas with high mobility like the lips, which may explain why your results do not persist visibly.

Additionally, the body's immune response to silicone could lead to inflammation or encapsulation, where scar tissue forms around the microdroplets. This reaction can result in a lack of noticeable volume increase, as the filler becomes surrounded by fibrous tissue or displaced from its original placement.

If migration or scar tissue is indeed occurring, additional rounds of Silikon 1000 injections will not solve the issue and may actually worsen the problem. Adding more silicone increases the risk of nodules, granulomas, or deformities, and once complications develop, the only treatment is surgical removal. In the lips, this involves excising both the silicone and the affected tissue, which may lead to permanent changes in shape and size.

Given your history with fast metabolism of temporary fillers, I understand the appeal of a permanent solution like Silikon 1000. However, the risks associated with silicone fillers, especially in mobile areas like the lips, are significant and often long-term. A better alternative might be temporary hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane, even if they require more frequent touch-ups. Another option to explore is fat grafting, where your own fat is used to add volume. While some fat may be reabsorbed over time, it offers a more natural and lasting result than traditional HA fillers without the risks associated with permanent fillers.

I strongly encourage you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist who specializes in filler complications to evaluate your situation. If migration or encapsulation is occurring, the best course of action may involve addressing the underlying issue rather than continuing with additional injections.

Sincerely,
J. Timothy Katzen, MD

In our experience, everyone sees an improvement in lip volume after each treatment, though first treatments
may appear subtle. Please ask your doc what volume you received. We typically place 0.3-0.4cc in each lip during a treatment. And they build off each other. Thanks for the question!

There would be no reason for it not to "work". It is like putting Bondo into the dent of a car. It corrects the defect. You see it with your own eyes in the mirror. It is a filling material that makes up for deficiencies in the underlying bone and cartilage skeleton. "When it is in, it is in." If one has the perception that it did not work, it may be that an inadequate amount was placed.

The use of Silicon 1000 is off label but has been used extensively and relatively safely for many years as a permanent filler. It is FDA approve only for use in the eyes.