Silicone is considered a chemically stable substance that can even be used for cooking and other household purposes. The safety of silicone, however, may vary with the particle size of silicone. Thus, silicone compounds with a small particle size can pass through the skin and biological barriers (membranes) causing toxicity to humans. The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has issued a warning against the use of injectable silicone for augmenting body parts, such as a hip (gluteal) or breast enlargement. According to the US FDA, injectable silicone can cause ongoing pain, infections, serious injuries (such as scarring and permanent disfigurement), blockage of a blood vessel (embolism), stroke, and death. Injectable silicone stays in the body because it is not broken down or eliminated by the body. It can also migrate easily to various parts of the body that can make the surgical removal of silicone fillers difficult. It can migrate and block the blood vessels of vital organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, causing serious damage to them. The US FDA does not approve the use of liquid silicone injections anywhere in the body except inside the eye for medical purposes.
What is silicone?
Silicone or siloxane is a man-made substance. It is made from several chemicals, such as silicon elements, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. It is generally manufactured as a flexible material resembling plastic. The word silicone is often considered a synonym of the naturally occurring element silicon (Si). However, they both are not the same substances. Silicon is one of the most abundant elements on earth. For making silicone, silicon is extracted from a naturally occurring compound called silica (sand). Silicon is then passed through chemicals called hydrocarbons to create a new polymer called silicone. Silicone is used for various purposes, including the manufacture of cookware, electronics, medical equipment, and storage containers.
What are the risks of silicone breast implants?
The US FDA has approved two types of breast implants that have an outer shell made up of silicone: implants filled with a saltwater solution (saline-filled implants) and silicone gel-filled implants. It must be noted that liquid silicone injections or fillers are not approved by the US FDA. The liquid silicone is different from silicone used in breast implants.
The implants have undergone extensive research to ascertain their safety and effectiveness before getting approval from the US FDA. However, there may be some risks associated with the implants. The risks may include:
- Failed surgery giving rise to a need for additional surgeries
- Cancer of the immune system called BIA-ALCL (breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma)
- Breast pain and tenderness
- Scarring that may squeeze the implant (called capsular contracture)
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Rupture or tears in the implant shell (it can cause a change in the shape, size, or texture of the breast along with pain and swelling of the breast tissue)
- Breast implant illness or BII (symptoms are rashes, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, headache, and breathing problems after getting a breast implant)
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerU. S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Warns Against Use of Injectable Silicone for Body Contouring and Enhancement: FDA Safety Communication. November 14, 2017. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-warns-against-use-injectable-silicone-body-contouring-and-enhancement-fda-safety-communication
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Makeup Allergy
Fragrances and preservatives in cosmetics may cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms include redness, itching, and swelling after the product comes in contact with the person's skin. Treatment typically involves the use of over-the-counter cortisone creams.
Plastic Surgery Pics
Thinking about getting plastic surgery? Check out before and after pictures of popular plastic surgery procedures, including: liposuction, tummy tuck, breast implants, rhinoplasty (nose job), neck lift, and more.
What Is the Difference Between Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery?
The terms plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are often used interchangeably. Although both disciplines of medical science aim at improving a person’s body, they are different from each other in many aspects.
silicon
Silicon is taken as a dietary supplement to strengthen bones and improve hair, skin, and nail health. There are no known side effects from oral ingestion of silicon supplements. Inhaled silicon can cause: liver disease, kidney injury, increased risk for tuberculosis, and autoimmune disease. Consult with your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
What Are the Types of Cosmetics?
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines cosmetics as products "intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions."