DYI Cosmetic Surgery
A recent case in Minneapolis has raised the issue of do it yourself cosmetic surgery. WCCO TV reported on a patient who gave herself facial injections in an effort to save money. Since the cost and availability of prescription drugs were out of reach, she turned to silicone lubricant. According to the patient, she had paid $900 for past injections.
The lubricant was obtained over the Internet and it is sold as a personal lubricant. The needles and syringes were purchased at a drugstore. She proceeded to inject the silicone lubricant into her face. The initial appearance was acceptable to her. Shortly thereafter she began to notice the characteristic inflammation of silicone injected into the skin. Her photos show the reaction in her lips and cheeks.
Judging from her pictures this will be a difficult maybe impossible problem to correct. This will leave her with facial scars permanent distortions of her face and lips.
Silicone in any form when injected into the body (see “Welcome Back Collagen“) will cause inflammation. It is the normal process the body goes through to wall off the foreign material. There is the potential for the skin to react so much that the silicone drops are actually expressed from the red, firm scars and skin. Please do not do this to yourself. In addition, do not do it to your friends. Finally, do not allow it to be done on you regardless of the price. It is not worth it!
