Silicone Oil

Silicone compounds must be synthesized because they do not naturally exist. Silicone oil varies in chemical structure, physical properties, purity, sterility, and biocompatibility. Silicone oils used for medical purposes (example: Silikon 1000) contain long polymers of dimethylsiloxanes. As opposed to use in manufacturing, etc., silicone oil used in medical applications should undergo several additional steps of purification and testing. Serious complications can result from the use of adulterated or impure silicone oils. In fact, impurities present in silicone oil can cause granulomas up to 11 years after implantation [8].

Viscosity of silicone oil is measured in centistokes (cs), a unit of kinematic viscosity. Higher viscosity is denoted by larger centistoke values. For example, Silikon 1,000 has a viscoity of 1,000 cs. Two silicone oil formulations have been FDA-approved for ophthalmologic purposes but not for cutaneous use. In fact, in certain states in the United States, it is illegal to inject silicone oil into human skin. However, one formulation, PMS-350 (viscosity of 350 cs), has European approval for treatment of glabellar lines, nasolabial folds, perioral lines, lip augmentation, atrophic disorders, and scars [8].

Silicone in the form of purified, medicalgrade polydimethylsiloxane oil is considered permanent filler. Silicone oil is chemically well tolerated in small amounts [4, 8].