Are Silicone Injections a Safe, Effective Permanent Wrinkle Filler?

Silicone injections are used for filling wrinkles and acne scarring, but it is used as a non-approved use by the Food and Drug Administration. Results can be superb, and permanent. There are cases of silicone injected by experienced surgeons where the silicone deposits created a reaction (granulomas) which formed visible large bumps. Sometimes lips have been overdone and it is very difficult to reduce, often needing surgery to remove the substance which can create a scar. Some silicone has been known to migrate to other body sites from the place in where it was inserted. Silicone is a double-edged sword. If it looks great that’s good because it’s permanent, but if it looks bad or if there is a bad reaction, it’s bad because it’s permanent. Doctors and patients have to make up their minds as to the comfort and safety level they wish to have in an elective cosmetic procedure. Bad reactions to silicone may be in the great minority of treatments, but if it happened to you, would you rather have wished that you hadn’t done it?

I have been using liquid injectable silicone (Silikon-1000 and Adato-Sil 5000) “off-label” as a filler for several years, and my mentor and father, has been using it for over 35 years. I have read the answers from other physicians and disagree with many things said.
I believe liquid injectable silicone to be safe and incredibly effective when used appropriately, and great for natural-looking results. We use it for acne scarring, aging grooves and wrinkles on the face, hollows and grooves around the eyes, fine lines on the neck, hollows in the temple area, facial lipoatrophy, and for aging grooves on the hands.
Silicone is precise and permanent. There is no need to harvest tissue from another site on your body or to test for a possible allergy. Silicone can be used alone or in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as Botox, laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels or facial surgery, helping to create a rejuvenated, natural-looking, smooth appearance.
There is minimal discomfort with liquid injectable silicone treatments when performed with a topical anesthetic. The number of treatments required will depend on the depth and nature of the depressions being treated and the severity of those areas. While most patients do not receive their complete level of improvement during their first visit, they do notice an immediate change just after the first treatment and are thrilled. Treatments are usually done at monthly intervals and are spread over several months. Typically, you will notice more improvement with each treatment. As you approach your desired result, treatments can be spaced at longer intervals of time between treatments. Our patients love it!
While it has not happened to me, a small "bump" or nodule can occur at the sites of injection. It is my opinion and my mentor’s opinion that these bumps or nodules are a result of either placing too much product in one treatment or injection, or by injecting the silicone too close to the surface of the skin. These are easily treated with intralesional steroid (Kenalog) injections, electrosurgery or oral antibiotics.
Silicone is an ideal filler when used correctly by physicians who have taken the time to learn how to properly use it and who respect it. We also spend a good amount of time educating our patients on silicone and on what the treatments involve, which is essential.
I hope the information I have provided is helpful and educational.