Silicone Girth Enhancement Repair: Safe & Effective Solutions
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At the time of this writing, penile repairs born from the many symptoms derived from the injection of liquid silicone to unsuspecting men under the guise of “collagen inducing injections” is the most common repair request we encounter.
Complications of Silicone Penile Injections
Patients have informed us of a non-surgical male enhancement method that appears to be gaining popularity that is fraught with future complications and patient health dangers.
While most doctors differ on the risks and potential complications associated with certain male enhancement procedures, everyone condemns the injection of silicone oil for male enhancement.
Longer term, we believe that the FDA and the judicial system will resolve this issue. Meanwhile, we’ve found its use is on the rise and many men are being medically harmed.
Penis Enlargements From Injected Silicone Oil Represented as “Minimally Invasive Permanent Penile Thickening”
There has been an alarming increase in the number of cases where men have undergone non-surgical penis enlargements under the premise that an injectable agent stimulates collagen creation in the patient, resulting in a “natural” larger, thicker penis.
In truth, these clinics inject liquid silicone mixed with a thickening agent (which makes it easier to inject), which is deemed exceedingly harmful and unhealthy by the FDA.
Silicone oil is a much cheaper injectable than FDA-approved dermal fillers. We suspect comparatively high profit margins is what’s driving this use.
What is “minimally invasive permanent penile thickening?”
As we’ve heard from patients, it’s most commonly described as a:
“minimally invasive permanent” penile thickening technique for use in the penile shaft, glans, and scrotum.”
Specifically, they were told it’s a:
“collagen layering activation filler material, positioned directly below the penile epidermis. Following insertion of the material, the body will be prompted to generate collagen. This collagen is permanent and natural.”
According to patient reporting in our clinic, patients had no idea any form of silicone was used as the active agent with these procedures and claim no one educated or cautioned them about the hazards associated with injection of liquid silicone into their body.
Some were told what was injected into their penis was “CMC” which is a chemical acronym for Carboxymethylcellulose, a product often used in small amounts as a thickening agent for low viscosity emulsions like those based in silicone oil.
What we discovered in a patient where we extracted and tested the problematic fluid was that the injection was approximately 95% silicone oil. CMC was only discovered in trace amounts. There was no discernable buildup of collagen.
Our experiences with correcting such situations frequently involve post-surgical removal of as much of the injected silicone material that can be removed.
We have identified significant amounts of liquid silicone in the designated areas, widespread necrotic tissue negatively impacted by the silicone, and compromised lymphatic drainage systems, which may ultimately result in chronic swelling and autoimmune disorders in the years ahead.
These patients have no idea they’re full of silicone oil
What we consider particularly disturbing is that numerous patients who came to our clinic for help were oblivious to the saturation of silicone oil in their lower extremities.
A recent patient, who experienced severe adverse effects from such injections, ended up in the emergency room at his local hospital. When the attending physician reached out to his prescribing physician to inquire about the medication utilized, the response was as follows:
“The filler we injected is made of lidocaine, medical grade dimethicone oil, and carboxymethylcellulose. The filler dissolves in two weeks after the procedure. That is when the collagen production begins.”
We consider this alarming.
According to this patient, he was first informed he was getting “collagen inducing injections” and the implication was his enlargement would thus be “all natural” versus liquid silicone injections.
In regard to the above statement from the treating provider, know this:
- Lidocaine is an ingredient within almost any injected to help offset pain and swelling during injections.
- Carboxymethylcellulose, or CMC, is a weighted surfactant used in mixing chemicals and in this case likely to add weight to the liquid silicone. Dimethicone oil (silicone oil) has an exceptionally low viscosity rendering nearly impossible to accurately inject into human tissue. By adding a thickening substance like carboxymethylcellulose to the oil, the treating physician achieves better accuracy with injections at the time of treatment.
- Dimethicone oil is a common pharmacology name for liquid silicone. Silicone oil injected into human tissue is known to potentially cause a host of health threatening long term side effects.
Lots of patients with silicone won’t face negative symptoms for years.
If a patient does not experience an acute allergic reaction or infection as a result of the injected silicone, the majority of unfavorable repercussions will not occur for years.
Some people will detect unevenness in their penile shafts or nodules from granuloma, which is caused by the body’s immune response to silicone.
We’ve treated 6 patients who reported their provider informed them the unevenness was due to “collagen growth” and that another round of injections would most likely smooth things out, which they all but one agreed to.
However, because the increased size was caused by liquid silicone rather than collagen, the unevenness was eventually exacerbated by the oily and intrinsically low viscosity silicone oil.
Long-term, injected silicone migrates to the lower abdomen, scrotum, and lymph nodes, obstructing the body’s lymphatic drainage system and causing a variety of autoimmune illnesses.
As they seek medical attention for these problems, neither the patient nor the doctor will be aware of the underlying reason, resulting in a never ending cycle of trial-and-error medical care.
Silicone Penile Injection Removal & Repair: Safe Treatment Options
Any sort of injected silicone oil is difficult to remove from the human body as the oil droplets disperse freely within adjacent vascular cells and the bloodstream, which complicates both repair and elimination.
Surgical intervention is the best treatment option to remove the silicone oil, helping reduce risks of future health complications, reductions in quality of life, and restoring current or anticipated complications with urination and sexual function.
Once as much of the injected silicone liquid has been removed as possible, we can explore options for repair of damaged penile tissue.
Shaft Skin Changes After Silicone Injections: Understanding Risks vs. Perceived Benefits
Among the patients we’ve treated for complications following injected silicone oil, 4 reported having received an alternative injectable bulking agent (Hyaluronic acid) before getting these “permanent collagen inducing injections.”
2 of these patients specifically commented one of the reasons they really liked the silicone injections was that their enlarged erect penis had a “harder” shaft skin feel than it did during hyaluronic acid injections.
It wasn’t until we showed them surgical images of their inner layers of tissue that they discovered why that was. The prolonged direct contact with silicone oil was creating necrosis within the inner layers of dermis around the penis organ.
Obviously, they were shocked.
Images of Silicone Migration in the Lower Body After Injections
Another huge problem from injected silicone is it’s a low viscosity oil, which means it readily migrates throughout the body.
The photographs below are from duplex doppler ultrasonography testing and show the lower abdominal area above a man’s penis after being injected with “collagen-inducing permanent filler” (also known as silicone oil with CMC). This patient was adamant silicone was not used on his penis.
The penis appears in the lower portion of these photos. The upper part depicts the patient’s lower abdomen. The “white” patches on the ultrasound are silicone oil that has migrated from the penis shaft to this patient’s lower abdomen.
This patient is prone to develop autoimmune illnesses in the long run because the body’s lymphatic system will be unable to drain and treat infections and bacteria.
“Permanent, All Natural, Non-Surgical Penile Enlargements”
These clinics promote their injections as “all natural,” asserting that the injections function as “collagen activation” serums and that the resulting collagen production is permanent.
However, based upon what we’ve seen from men facing early complications from injected silicone, there was no measurable collagen inside the penile shaft, just a lot of silicone oil.
Their approach renders a cost-effective, permanent, non-invasive, procedure with significant girth enhancement that’s toxic for the human body yet exceptionally lucrative for the administering physician.
However, those same patients will be left to deal with all the negative side effects of injected silicone for the rest of their lives.
CMC Injections for Penis Enlargement
Recently, patients presenting similar problems and concerns at our clinic stated they were informed that the injected material was CMC (Carboxymethylcellulose), a biological thickening agent commonly used for low viscosity emulsions such as silicone oil so that it can be stabilized for use or injection.
What we observed was that the injected substance only contained trace levels of CMC, making it a tiny percentage of the total weight of the injected concoction.
In other words, it’s another way of disguising the injection of silicone oil.
The Dangers of Injecting Silicone into the Human Body
Based on the patients we have treated for repair, an average of 75ml of this silicone mixture was injected per treatment into the groin area, with the typical patient undergoing 1.75 treatments, resulting in approximately 131ml of silicone administered per patient.
The health risks linked to the injection of substantial quantities of silicone into the human body are extensively documented, encompassing:
- infections
- hypersensitivity
- vascular embolism
- granulomatous responses
- nodule formation
- skin discoloration
- filler migration
Upon injection, silicone compounds frequently migrate to remote locations via lymphatic or circulatory systems, instigating autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.
The FDA has published multiple cautions on its website concerning silicone injections. One recent FDA notification states that silicone is not biodegradable by the human body once injected.
Surgery to excise the injected silicone typically offers relief; nevertheless, total removal of the substance is unattainable due to its migratory characteristics and viscosity.
Following is a summary from the FDA’s website regarding the dangers associated with silicone injected into the human body:
The FDA Warns Against Injectable Silicone and Dermal Fillers for Large-Scale Body Contouring and Enhancement
Are you contemplating a surgery to contour or augment specific areas of your body? Exercise caution when utilizing injectable silicone for body contouring or any other unapproved substances to attain your objectives. Injectable silicone is not sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for any cosmetic procedures, including facial and body contouring or enlargement. Silicone injections may result in chronic pain, infections, and severe complications, including scarring, lifelong deformity, embolism, stroke, and mortality.
Injectable silicone is not classified as an injectable dermal filler.
Injectable dermal fillers are medical devices regulated by the FDA. Most FDA-approved dermal fillers are temporary because they are made from materials that the body eventually breaks down and absorbs.
Silicone is NOT one of those materials.
Health Risks of Silicone Injections in the Groin: Dangers & Complications
The principal health risks associated with silicone injections into the penis include its tendency to migrate through the lymphatic drainage systems in the groin and the adverse effects of resultant lymphedema, which we will elaborate on in the next section.
The psychological trauma resulting from the presence of granulomas and fibroblasts due to uncontrolled silicone injections in the penis can be very distressing.
The following photographs depict a patient who sought treatment in our office after receiving “collagen inducing injections,” which were, in fact, injected silicone oil.
This patient was profoundly emotionally distressed.
The Specific Dangers Associated with Injecting Silicone into the Groin Area
While injecting liquid silicone into men’s penile shafts can have devastating long-term consequences to penile health, we believe injections into the scrotum can cause even worse long term outcomes.
In addition to infections, granulomas, and nodule formations, we contend that the most significant health risks associated with silicone injections in the groin region arise from silicone migration and obstruction of the lymphatic drainage system, leading to painful lymphedema and dysfunction of the two lymph nodes in the pelvic area.
The groin region and scrotal sac are significant sites for lymphatic drainage in the human body.
What is the human body’s lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system constitutes a component of the immune system. It aids in combating infections and safeguarding the body against sickness.
The lymphatic system comprises a network of veins throughout the body that transport a fluid known as lymph. The lymphatic fluid traverses your lymph nodes, which eliminate dangerous chemicals.
What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a chronic condition characterized by swelling that affects the body’s soft tissues.
The condition arises from the obstruction or damage of lymph nodes or veins inside the lymphatic system of a patient. This obstruction or injury leads to the buildup of fluid in the sensitive tissues of the body.
Lymphedema usually occurs in the extremities (arms, legs) but may also present in the genital region, torso, head, or neck.
Lymphedema severity can fluctuate from minor (indicated by the absence of apparent swelling) to severe (defined by hardened, fatty skin).
Is lymphedema life-threatening?
Lymphedema primarily manifests as limb or leg swelling, but if neglected, it can lead to significant discomfort and potentially lethal infections.
Initial-stage lymphedema is not considered devastating. However, disregarding this condition may lead to bacterial infections that can be lethal due to their ability to cause severe pain and disease.
Consistent lymphatic drainage is crucial for preserving bodily health.
In the week of February 1, 2024, our institution performed a duplex Doppler ultrasound examination on a patient who had received silicone injections for the treatment of Peyronie’s Disease from a provider of “collagen activation injections.”
Like others, the patient perceived the irregular substance in his penis as a consequence of his own collagen synthesis.
Plaque of Peyronie’s within the urethra of a silicone-injected penis is undetectable during ultrasonic examination. During testing, the affected regions look visually unaltered, presenting a “white” appearance.
Moreover, it was particularly alarming because the “white indicators” had penetrated the entire lower pelvis of the patient and were nearing the lymph node region.
We have advised further diagnostic procedures for this patient as his treatment plan remains unfinalized.
What occurs when a patient experiences scrotal lymphedema?
Scrotal lymphedema is the buildup of fluid resulting in enlargement of the soft tissues of the genital area.
The condition results from an obstruction or trauma to the lymphatic system, responsible for eliminating waste and toxins from the body.
It is predominantly induced by cancer therapies or surgical interventions.
Giant Scrotal Lymphedema
In certain instances, the scrotum enlarges to significant dimensions. These instances of considerable scrotal enlargement are classified as “giant scrotal lymphedema” and are profoundly detrimental.
The scrotum’s failure to drain fluid from the groin’s lymphatic system often leads to spongy, fluid-filled skin, thickening, and persistent infection. This renders life exceedingly challenging for those impacted.
The investigated patient presented with a leathery and dense scrotum, and the scrotal drainage system was entirely clogged, causing residual fluid to accumulate in the pelvic lymph nodes.
The failure to eliminate and filter poisons significantly elevates the risk of getting testicular or prostate cancer. Due to their illness, people may become confined to their homes and endure chronic discomfort.
Historically, this level of chronic edema of the scrotum has been attributed to conditions such as:
- heart failure
- liver failure
- lymphatic obstruction
- prior surgery
- trauma
For example, patients with kidney failure who receive peritoneal dialysis catheters may develop edema of the scrotum because of drainage from the peritoneal cavity through the inguinal canal and into the scrotum. Surgical evaluation and treatment are the appropriate approaches in such instances.
Silicone injected into the scrotum for “cosmetic enhancement” can lead to serious health complications.
Due to reports of potentially catastrophic short-, intermediate-, and long-term side effects, liquid injectable silicone (LIS) remains controversial.
Silicone is hydrophobic and, when injected, disperses in the dermis as droplets that tend to attract macrophages and giant cells in a foreign body reaction.
The onset of these granulomas can occur anywhere from a few months to many years after injection and follows a distinct pattern of exacerbation and remission.
The extremely fragile and thin scrotal dermis plays a crucial role in supporting lymphatic drainage in the groin. The lymphatic drainage system exists to transport and filter fluids and contaminants that have been excreted throughout the body.
This essential drainage system becomes completely obstructed by injections of silicone, which causes scrotal lymphedema.
Insufficiency in the scrotal lymphatic drainage system can result in excruciatingly large growth of the scrotum through the buildup of edema and increases the risk of developing various forms of pelvic cancers.
In this instance, the cause of the problem was lymphatic obstruction in the lower scrotum due to the cosmetic injection of significant quantities of silicone.
The patient also stated that “many other men had this procedure,” which would indicate that patients who fail to see a competent urologist immediately following the onset of scrotal lymphedema may develop potentially catastrophic complications in the future.
Treatment: What can be done to repair scrotum lymphedema caused by injected silicone?
Any sort of injected silicone oil is difficult to remove from the human body as the microdroplets can disperse freely within adjacent vascular cells and the bloodstream, which complicates both repair and elimination.
Surgical intervention is the best treatment option, offering the likelihood of reduction risk for potential future health complications, reduction in quality of life, and restoring current or anticipated complications with urination and sexual function.
Scrotal lymphedema caused by injected silicone creates an especially challenging case.
The visible growths from granuloma, the underlying degradation of the fragile scrotal epidermis, and the impossibility of surgically removing all the silicone droplets, makes this new case life threatening for patients who fail to receive appropriate urologic care following the onset of symptoms related to the blocked scrotal lymphatic drainage system and scrotal lymphedema.
Take the First Step Toward Safe Silicone Removal & Penile Repair
If you’ve experienced complications from silicone injections for penile enhancement, you’re not alone. Lumps, hardness, pain, and migration of silicone can cause serious long-term issues—but expert removal and repair are possible.
At Rejuvall, our specialists provide safe, effective silicone removal and penile reconstruction to restore both function and appearance. To find out the best treatment options for you, fill out our confidential Cosmetic Urology Assessment form and schedule your free phone consultation today. A specialist will review your case and guide you toward a personalized solution.
Don’t wait—take the first step toward restoring your confidence and health. Submit your form now!
