I got itchiness from silicon buttocks injections, do I need to worry?

Hi Bootyliciouz!

This is a great question! Silicone injections, even in small amounts, carry long-term risks, including migration, granulomas, infections, and inflammatory reactions that can appear years later. While you are not experiencing severe symptoms now, occasional itchiness may indicate some level of irritation or inflammation. Potential Risks Over Time include:
1. Migration – Silicone can move to other parts of the body, even after years, potentially causing lumps, asymmetry, or complications.
2. Granulomas & Inflammation – The body may react to the silicone as a foreign substance, leading to lumps, chronic pain, or firmness in the area.
3. Infections & Skin Issues – Even if there are no signs now, there’s a lifelong risk of delayed infections or skin thinning.
4. Tissue Damage & Disfigurement – If removal is needed later due to complications, it can result in volume loss, dimpling, or irregularities.

I recommend while doing your research that you look for a Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon who specializes in silicone/biopolymer removal. Here at my New York based practice, I perform hundreds of silicone removal procedures a year, including the reconstructive phase after the silicone has been removed. Since you have no major symptoms currently, immediate removal may not be necessary. However, regular monitoring is crucial. If you notice new lumps, increased pain, hardening, or discoloration, seek medical attention immediately. Early intervention and removal are easier and safer than waiting until severe complications arise. The longer silicone stays, the harder it can be to remove it. Although 100% silicone/biopolymer removal is not possible, I perform a 2-stage process in a hospital setting to ensure optimal amounts of silicone are removed. Three months after stages 1&2 are performed, I can then go ahead and perform a reconstructive phase (we often refer to as "stage 3") to replace any volume that was lost during stages 1&2. Stage 3 consists of harvesting fat and transferring it to the buttocks. Please keep in mind, these procedures can be covered by insurance.

If you're interested in scheduling either a complimentary virtual or in-person consultation, please give us a call (516) 279-2616. Our Silicone Coordinator (who's had silicone removal as well) will walk you through all the initial steps (she'll gather some background information as well as your silicone injection history, schedule an MRI) and get you scheduled for your consultation.

Best of luck on your silicone journey! We're here to help if you need us!

Best,
Jeremy Nikfarjam, MD PC
Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Silicone biopolymers are commonly used in the face and body. They may sometimes cause noticeable symptoms that we gauge using the Karamanoukian Soft Tissue Reaction Grading Scale from I to V. The severity of your complications dictates the interventions needed, ranging from itching and burning to severe necrosis of the soft tissue. Nerve pain and symptomatic swelling is also possible. Insurance may cover your surgery, but that is a discussion that requires you to contact and appeal to your insurance carrier. Options for removal are complex and depend on whether you have the material in your face or body. We reverse BBL with silicone commonly and remove silicone from the lips very commonly. Diffuse silicone in the face is not likely to respond to removal. Filler migration, swelling, and granulomas can cause significant discomfort and cosmetic ramifications. Our office specializes in the use of enzymes and filler reversal techniques without hyaluronidase to help improve the results of botched cosmetic fillers, whether caused by Juvederm, Restylane, or foreign fillers. We can also test for the material to determine the likelihood of silicone granulomas and silicone reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question regarding the itchiness you're experiencing after having silicone injections in your buttocks and hips. Unfortunately, experiencing itchiness in the area of silicone injections is a very bad sign. Itchiness can indicate that your body is reacting negatively to the silicone, which is a common complication with these injections. Even if you had a relatively small amount injected, it’s important to understand that the complications from silicone only get worse over time, and even a small quantity can migrate, cause inflammation, or trigger other complications.

I strongly recommend considering removal as soon as possible, regardless of the amount. Although removal can be challenging, it’s much safer to address the issue early on before more severe complications arise. Silicone doesn't stay contained within the injection site; over time, it can migrate and cause widespread issues in surrounding tissues. Early removal, even if it involves a small amount of silicone, can help minimize potential damage.

While it’s true that silicone removal is a complex procedure, experienced surgeons can minimize the risk of disfigurement. The goal is to remove as much of the silicone as possible while preserving the natural contour of your body. Waiting too long can lead to complications that may require more extensive surgery.

If you have any concerns, I encourage you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in the removal of silicone. It’s a step worth taking to protect your long-term health and well-being.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen