Granuloma Formation Secondary to Silicone Injection for Soft-Tissue Augmentation in Facial Cosmetics: Mechanisms and Literature Review

Abstract

The use of injectable fillers is increasingly popular as an alternative to surgery for facial cosmetic applications. In this regard, silicone is a versatile biomaterial filler that has been used for these purposes, but its use warrants further investigation, especially since it is not clinically approved for such uses. We describe the use of silicone as a facial injectable filler through a scholarly review of the literature for cases of silicone granuloma formation published from September 2007 through September 2017, and we present various contexts in which this complication has been observed. We further review the immunologic etiology of granuloma formation and other complications of silicone injections. We write this report to caution physicians on the use of silicone fillers which, for all their advantages, are associated with significant long-term risks that are frequently overlooked.