Recently, people have been getting more and more obsessed with appearances. This is mostly due to the unrealistic standards set by social media and the beauty industry. Consequently, men and women opt to get various cosmetic procedures done to fit in with society or boost their self-confidence and self-esteem. One of the most popular and quick ways to enhance your looks, whether it’s your buttocks, breasts, or face, is by getting silicone injections.
Although there is no real harm in getting cosmetic surgery if it makes you happy, the important thing is to choose a safe procedure with limited side effects. And biopolymer injections are not it. In this article, we will discuss some side effects of biopolymer injections that will help you make an informed decision.
What are Biopolymer Injections and Why are they Harmful?
Silicone is a synthetic compound made in laboratories. It is the main component in biopolymer injections. These injections are used to enhance or augment several parts of the human body, like breasts and lips, by injecting liquid silicone into the target area. They can also be used to achieve a younger look by eliminating wrinkles.
Although these results may sound tempting, the cons of biopolymer injections outweigh the pros. Silicone injections are so harmful that the FDA has strongly condemned their use. Consequently, the only places you can find this service are illegal and unethical clinics or home businesses.
Luckily, there are several clinics that offer biopolymers removal procedures to help you remove this harmful substance from your body. With the help of this surgery, you can not only remove the silicone but also prevent yourself from experiencing any of the side effects of this cosmetic procedure.
Side Effects of Biopolymer Injections
It is important to learn about all the possible side effects of a cosmetic procedure beforehand. Nevertheless, if you’ve already gotten silicone injections, this list of side effects will help you identify any health problems caused by the injections and determine whether it’s time for you to get a removal surgery. So, let’s discuss some of the side effects of biopolymer injections.
Toxic Reactions
Silicone is a toxic compound and can cause multiple toxic reactions when injected into the human body. As it is a foreign object, our body does not accept it. So, our body initiates a natural response to get rid of the silicone. This can cause serious reactions such as infections, skin discoloration, or nodule formations. It may also cause lumps, ridges, and irritation in the area where silicone was injected.
Unethical Treatments May Be Harmful
As mentioned before, the use of silicone for cosmetic procedures has been strongly condemned by the FDA. So, there are only a handful of licensed practitioners who are allowed to use silicone, and that too in certain cases only. Consequently, illegal clinics and home businesses are the only places you can get this procedure done.
Getting biopolymer injections from untrained people can lead to several complications. For instance, they will not tell you the side effects of this cosmetic procedure in detail. Similarly, they may not have the technical knowledge to perform this procedure safely or may not use clean or proper tools for it. So, getting an already harmful procedure from an unskilled individual just adds to the risk. In addition, you can also not sue the clinic for any side effects as you will also be involved in this illegal act.
Dangerous Physical Symptoms
Injectable silicone can cause many dangerous physical symptoms that can also be life-threatening in some cases. Getting biopolymer injections repeatedly can lead to breathing difficulties and chest pain, which are signs of a stroke. It can also cause weakness in the legs, arms, and other body parts, making you unable to walk without getting dizzy and causing splitting headaches.
May Cause Death
Several reports claim that black-market silicone injections can lead to death. Moreover, there are numerous cases of women dying due to silicone injections. This is because liquid silicone doesn’t necessarily stay in the area it was injected into. It can migrate to other parts of the body and cause life-threatening problems. In worst-case scenarios, these injections can travel and clot your blood vessels. This can affect the blood supply to important organs such as your brain or heart and may lead to a fatal stroke. However, it may take silicone several years to cause such life-threatening problems.
Skin Damage
As silicone injections are injected directly into your skin, it is natural to experience skin damage. You may experience skin damage or loss as your skin starts changing, leading to swelling, burning, or granuloma formation.
Short-Term Results
Silicone injections do not give long-lasting results. For instance, if you get lip fillers, you will have to go to your cosmetologist regularly and get the fillers after every few months. You will probably have good results for six months at most as silicone melts and travels to other body parts.
Permanent Scars and Disfigurement
Sure, silicone injections may seem great for getting rid of wrinkles and fine lines, but they can cause permanent scarring. As you know, after some time, the silicone will cause ridges under your eyes or create lumps. These will look much worse and will be permanent too. So, some wrinkles and fine lines might not seem so bad after all in comparison to these side effects.
May Cause ASIA Syndrome
ASIA syndrome stands for autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants. This syndrome is common in people who get biopolymer injections, especially in the buttocks. This fastens the development of autoimmune diseases. Some symptoms of ASIA syndrome are:
- Extreme fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Neurological issues
- Cognitive issues
Concluding Thoughts
There is nothing wrong with wanting to enhance your looks or look a certain way. But what’s important is to prioritize your health and safety while choosing a cosmetic procedure to achieve your desired results. Yes, biopolymer injections are quick and easy, but they only give temporary results and can cause a string of negative effects. Some of these side effects can be fatal as well. So, it is crucial to learn as much as you can about a cosmetic procedure and make an informed decision, as nothing is more important than your health and life.