New Wrinkle Fighters

Posting Date: 10/23/2003

Liquid Injectable Silicone

Until it was banned by the FDA in 1992, silicone was used in the United States for many years with much success to treat wrinkles and acne scars as well as to enhance areas such as the lips, cheekbones and the chin. When used cosmetically, the safety and efficacy was compromised when silicone was diluted with foreign substances or when it was injected in large volumes in an area during one treatment session.

text continues below

Now, a new medical grade form of silicone known as liquid injectable silicone has been approved by the FDA for use in the eye to treat chronic retinal detachment and is being studied in the United States to determine its safety and efficacy as a permanent filler for aging skin. Liquid injectable silicone has shown promising results in clinical trials for correcting wrinkles, acne scars, enhancing the lips, cheekbones and chin, and for filling out hollowed cheeks in HIV/AIDS patients. One of the main benefits of silicone that distinguishes itself from other fillers is that the results are permanent.

?When the new medical grade form of liquid injectable silicone is used by skilled dermatologists or dermatologic surgeons, side effects are minimal,? stated Dr. Carruthers. ?But patients need to be aware that there are concerns about the possibility of developing long-term granulomas from using silicone and that the results, whether you like them or not, are permanent.?

Dr. Carruthers cautioned that whenever patients seek treatments that produce permanent results like silicone or polymethylmethacrylate, the skill and experience of the physician are critical to the success of the treatment.

?In Canada and in Europe, we have found that the results of these new fillers are very skill dependent,? explained Dr. Carruthers. ?The best advice I can give patients looking for a permanent solution to their cosmetic concerns is to do their homework and discuss their expectations with their doctor.?