Microdroplet Silicone Injections

Some women and men are looking for permanent results from their filler treatments, but most fillers last only a few months to one year at most. Used for decades in the skin, liquid silicone can be used to precisely and permanently fill in wrinkles and to enhance lips.

An extremely ubiquitous agent, silicone is one of the most inert, or non-reactive, substances in the world. Because it is used as a major ingredient in makeup, hair conditioners, skin care products, and as a medical lubricant for needles and syringes, we have all been exposed to silicone. Medical-grade liquid silicone is sterile and highly purified, requiring no skin testing prior to treatment.

Currently there is a liquid silicone that is approved by the FDA--Silikon 1000®. This product is approved and marketed for use in the eye during retinal detachment. The FDA modernization act of 1997 allows licensed physicians to use this product “off label” for other purposes-- similar to the numerous uses for Botox®. With its long history of safety and a sterile, medical-grade composition, liquid silicone (Silikon 1000®) is an excellent filler for most areas of the face. Liquid silicone can be used alone or in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as Botox, laser skin rejuvenation, chemical peels or facial surgery.

The microdroplet technique entails the injection of numerous small drops of sterile liquid silicone into several points under the skin. Injections take about fifteen minutes. A specially-formulated, topical anesthetic cream is applied for patient comfort and a very small needle is used. It is often less painful than other fillers and patients can resume their daily activity, without restrictions, immediately. There is no downtime.

Once injected, the skin then forms collagen to surround the silicone. This build up of collagen fills in sagging skin, plumping it up and ultimately produces a more youthful look. Patients may require multiple treatments to achieve the desired results, but improvements are permanent. Younger patients usually require fewer treatments. Treatments are conducted at monthly intervals to allow for collagen rebuilding and a safe, slowly progressive, and very natural appearing result. This technique overwhelmingly minimizes the occurrence of overcorrection and potential drift (movement or shifting) that has been reported with other techniques or with large volume injections.

Since the era of the silicone breast implant controversy, several misconceptions have affected silicone’s reputation. In March of 2000, the New England Journal of Medicine released an article that reviewed the data comprised by a group of eminent scientists from various medical specialties that unanimously concluded that there was no evident link between silicone and systemic disease of any kind.

Unfortunately, the use of silicone in the skin has also experienced some controversy due to the varying techniques and illegal silicone substances that have been abused by both physicians and non-physicians. Several forms of non-sterile, non-medical grade silicone oil can be purchased through industrial suppliers and illegally injected into the skin. Most often both poor substance quality and large volume injection technique led to greater risk of patient complications and unnatural aesthetic results.

Although cosmetic silicone oil injections using the microdroplet technique suggests a very good safety and efficacy record, all cosmetic procedures do carry some degree of risk and uncertainty. Although very rare (on the order of a fraction of 1%) possible side effects include-transient bruising and swelling, overcorrection, rare discoloration (in thin skinned scars), firm texture, and an idiosyncratic inflammatory reactions that produce redness and swelling. Fortunately, these reactions are extremely rare and can be minimized in their occurrence with appropriate substance and technique. In their occurrence, they can often be managed with a variety of procedures including local cortisone injections, removal of tissue and antibiotics. In some instances, time alone resolves the problem. For these reasons, it is essential for patients to seek a licensed, board certified physician with expertise in the use of silicone and its potential complications. They must use the medical-grade (Silikon 1000®) product and use the microdroplet technique, the only substance and technique used by Dr. Sterling.

Dr. Sterling has had special training in liquid silicone injections and has published medical journal and book chapter articles on the safe and proper use of fillers.