Liquid Silicone

What advantages are there for doctors who use liquid silicone?

From a physician’s financial standpoint, there is absolutely no incentive to use such a permanent implant when the application of temporary fillers provides a continuing source of income. A doctor who chooses to use liquid silicone does invite controversy. The heat of the criticism from colleagues who have observed complications arising from the misuse of liquid silicone, combined with published reports that fuel patients’ fears, can ignite into both a subtle and overt character assassination. Due to the stress inherent in the use of this product, we routinely provide informed consent materials – including the most unflattering commentaries on liquid silicone, as well as articles describing current trends in implantation – that read as though they have been written in a defensive crouch.

Still, liquid silicone is used for this simple reason – it best serves the patient. It is a product that appears to be extremely safe when used properly. It is no more antigenic than permanent agents such as Bioplastique, Artecoll, and Gortex, and yet it is less technically complex to use. Liquid silicone is inexpensive, so it does not drain a patient’s financial resources. And it is permanent, so the patient is not subjected to endless rounds of painful injections that temporary biodegradable fillers such as Collagen, and the Hyaluronic acids (Juvéderm, Restylane, etc.) require.

The use of liquid silicone, particularly in patients with scarring and post-traumatic contour defects, has produced positive and life-transforming results. This has been a source of enormous personal gratification, as a modality has never been employed which was so clearly advantageous to patients.