Liquid Injectable Silicone: Should You Implement It in Your Practice?

Many factors have contributed to the renewed interest in liquid injectable silicone (LIS) as a permanent filler. Its use currently remains at the discretion of each individual physician and his or her threshold of concern about permanent side effects. The product’s contentious past and absence of prospective, controlled trials has prompted many practitioners to oppose its use in elective procedures. However, with new “medical-grade” silicones being produced and the belief that previously noted adverse effects are attributable to “dirty” silicone and irresponsible use, others contend that LIS is completely safe for use as a soft tissue augmentation agent, particularly for facial rejuvenation. This article addresses the controversial history of silicone and the existing debate about its dermatologic uses. This debate may soon reach a climax as more patients request information from their dermatologist about the “new microdroplet technique” that “permanently treats wrinkles.”