Silicone Injections Are a Medical Crisis, Not a Cosmetic Option

Let’s be clear from the start: liquid silicone is not a cosmetic option, a treatment, or a procedure.

It’s a permanent, non-biodegradable substance that has NOT been approved by the FDA for use as a soft tissue filler. Its use as such represents a real medical emergency that requires urgent surgical intervention.

Injecting this substance notoriously leads to serious complications over time, including the migration of the material to other parts of the body and the formation of granulomas—hard lumps of tissue resulting from the body’s inflammatory response. ⁽¹⁾

Patients often experience chronic inflammation and even systemic health problems that can arise years after the initial injections. Having performed silicone removal surgeries for decades, I have seen the long-term damage this substance inflicts on the body. I have operated on countless patients who were misled into believing these injections were a safe and affordable solution, only to spend hours in surgery attempting to fix the catastrophic results of those lies.

If you have silicone injections anywhere in your body, this article is intended for you. The goal isn’t to cause fear, but to provide the honest and thorough information you deserved to have before that harmful substance was ever injected into your body.

The Truth About Liquid Silicone Injections

Let’s dive a little deeper. Unlike legitimate medical fillers, which dissolve safely in the body over time, liquid silicone does not break down. It’s a foreign, non-biodegradable substance that simply does not belong in the body and causes countless problems that can compound over months and years if not permanently removed.

The practitioners who administer these illegal injections, typically unlicensed and operating outside of sterile and regulated medical facilities, often in settings referred to as “pumping parties.” In many cases, they unfortunately have little to no medical training and take no accountability when things go wrong, which they tend to do with a harmless substance like this.

The Body Recognizes the Threat, and Reacts

The human body recognizes injected silicone as a foreign invader (which it is!) and launches a continuous inflammatory response. Over time, the immune system attempts to isolate the material by developing dense scar tissue, which results in the formation of capsules and granulomas. ⁽²⁾ This progressive process is often painful and can lead to significant disfigurement as the silicone migrates through tissue layers, straying from the original injection site. The resulting chronic inflammation causes persistent and unrelenting pain.

In my medical practice, I have witnessed the severe physical toll that silicone injections take on a body, including:

Because silicone increasingly integrates with healthy tissue the longer it remains, delaying removal only makes the surgical process more difficult. If you received these injections, I urge you to act now.

Seek Help with Silicone Removal

If you have received silicone injections, you must understand that the situation has immense medical urgency. It’s not just a cosmetic concern.

Candidates for removal should be cleared for major surgery, but the most critical factor is time. Silicone does not resolve or soften on its own; instead, it integrates further into your healthy tissue every day, making eventual surgical removal far more complex and demanding. Whether you are already suffering from pain, hardening, and chronic swelling, or are not yet experiencing symptoms, you cannot afford to wait for the crisis to escalate.

I urge you to seek a professional evaluation today—not tomorrow, not next month—to address these permanent health risks before the window for the most effective intervention closes. Please contact my office for a consultation if you identify with any of the following:

Even if your injections were years ago and you feel fine, a medical evaluation is vital for your long-term health. Don’t wait to schedule your consultation. Call our Beverly Hills office today at (424) 424-1462 or submit our online contact form, and we will be in touch shortly.

Removal Process

At the start of your procedure, the appropriate anesthesia is administered to keep you comfortable. I will then make strategic incisions, depending on the location of the silicone. For silicone removal in the buttocks, I utilize the infragluteal crease incision to minimize visible scarring. I carefully dissect and remove the silicone along with the surrounding scar tissue. A VASER is used to help break up the scarred tissue, allowing for more precise and thorough extraction. My goal is to work meticulously to preserve healthy tissue and reshape the area to achieve a smooth, natural contour.

Post-Removal Restoration

The following are a few procedures I offer at my practice to help you see great results that you can feel confident with, even after a disheartening event like dangerous silicone injections.

Tri-Modality Skin Tightening

What you see in the first weeks is not the final result; the true outcome emerges gradually over the following months as swelling resolves. To optimize this transformation, I utilize my proprietary Tri-Modality Skin Tightening protocol—a comprehensive approach that combines three powerful technologies:

1. VASER®: VASER is a form of ultrasound-assisted liposuction that selectively emulsifies fat cells, making them easier to remove. I use this technology in conjunction with silicone removal to precisely sculpt the area, smooth out contours, and remove any remaining irregularities for a refined aesthetic outcome.
2. Renuvion®: Renuvion, also known as J-Plasma®, combines radiofrequency (RF) energy and helium plasma to create a powerful yet gentle contraction of the skin. This treatment is highly effective for addressing minor skin laxity that may result from the removal of silicone and scar tissue, promoting a smoother, firmer appearance.
3. Morpheus8 Body: Morpheus8 Body uses a concentration of micro-pins to deliver fractional RF energy deep into the skin and underlying fat. This process stimulates collagen production and tightens tissues, addressing skin laxity and contour irregularities that often result from the volume loss following silicone removal.

Together, these advanced tools and technologies allow me to restore an aesthetically pleasing contour without the need for surgical skin removal in most cases, giving you back the body and the confidence you deserve.

What Recovery Will Look Like

After removal, your body will need time to heal—tissues settle gradually, not immediately. This is major surgery, and it requires both patience and strict adherence to my recovery guidelines. In the initial weeks post-procedure, you will experience swelling, bruising, and some discomfort as your body heals. To support your tissue and help establish your new contours, you must wear a specialized compression garment continuously during this early phase.

I will provide you with a detailed recovery protocol and monitor every step of your healing through follow-up appointments to ensure your safety. You will not navigate this journey alone. Although the process requires patience, the results—freedom from pain, resolution of health complications, and a restored natural silhouette—are worth every day of it. I will be with you through every phase of your recovery to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.

Choose David Matlock, MD

I am a world-renowned, board-certified cosmetic surgeon with over 30 years of experience and a practice that has served patients from all 50 states and over 70 countries. Silicone injection removal is among the most technically demanding procedures I perform, and I execute it at the highest possible standard. My team and I conduct every removal in our state-of-the-art Beverly Hills surgical center, utilizing a modern operating suite, proper anesthesia, and a dedicated team of experienced professionals. You deserve a surgeon who is honest about the severity of your situation, precise in the operating room, and completely committed to your recovery and result.

This is my promise to you: commitment without exception, without compromise, and without the false reassurances that led you here.

Schedule your consultation for silicone removal today. Call our office at (424) 424-1462 or submit our online contact form.

References

1. Gerk A, Telles L, Carroll M, Nascimento MEFMD, Bispo RG, Oliveira BFS, Mendes S, Guerreiro SNF, Naus A, Camargo CP. Use of industrial liquid silicone: a scoping review. Acta Cir Bras. 2024 Oct 7;39:e395624. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11457952/
2. Mustin DE, Barrett DL, Gangal A, White MS, Yeung H. Management of silicone granuloma: A systematic review. JAAD Int. 2023 Jan 21;11:41-42. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9972554/