Application and risk analysis of silicone oil in the field of medical aesthetics
1、 Application scenarios of silicone oil in the field of medical aesthetics
Injection fillers (phased out but still illegally used)
Historical application: Silicone oil has been used for facial filling (such as nose and chin shaping) and breast augmentation surgery due to its strong plasticity and low cost. Its crosslinking degree can be controlled, with low viscosity silicone oil like water and high viscosity that can simulate solid filling effect.
Alternative solution: Currently, the mainstream filling materials are hyaluronic acid (biodegradable and safe) and poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA, which stimulates collagen regeneration). Silicone oil has been banned from injection filling in most countries worldwide due to its high risk.
External skincare products and pre makeup products
Skin feeling optimization: silicone oil (such as polydimethylsiloxane and cyclopentamethylsiloxane) can improve the smoothness and ductility of products by forming a breathable film, and is widely used in sunscreen, liquid foundation and face cream. For example, the Japanese sunscreen ace uses a silicone oil matrix to achieve a "correction fluid" texture, reducing the stickiness of zinc oxide.
Enhanced efficacy: Phenyl silicone oil can refract light (refractive index 1.54), creating a "drilling muscle" effect; Volatile silicone oil (such as D5) evaporates rapidly to achieve dry cleaning spray "degreasing in 3 seconds without whitening".
Hair care repair: The silicone oil in high-end hair care essential oils forms a 5nm protective film, reducing the friction coefficient to 0.15 and repairing hair scales; Silicone oil in hair dye wraps pigment particles, extending the color locking time by 30 days.
Postoperative repair and scar management
Silicone oil gel dressing: mechanical silicone oil gel certified by FDA Class II can promote scar softening through closed moisturizing, and clinical data show that it can improve scar flatness by 60%.
Anti inflammatory assistance: Silicone oil based ointment enhances the therapeutic effect on wounds such as burns and dermatitis by improving drug permeability.
2、 The core risks of silicone oil in the field of medical aesthetics
The catastrophic consequences of injection filling
Organizational corrosion and immune response: Silicone oil has slight corrosiveness, and injection may cause inflammation of surrounding tissues, leading to decreased immune function and even carcinogenic risk.
Types of complications:
Nodules and granulomas: Silicone oil adheres to tissue, forming cord like protrusions that are extremely difficult to repair.
Vascular embolism: Silicone oil entering blood vessels by mistake may cause retinal artery embolism, leading to blindness or visual loss.
Infection and necrosis: Improper operation of illegal institutions can easily cause local redness, ulceration, and even systemic infection.
Case warning: In 2020, a patient illegally injected silicone oil into the nose, resulting in skin necrosis of the nose. Despite multiple surgical repairs, significant scars remained.
Potential disputes over topical products
Doubt about pore blockage: Silicone oil with a molecular weight greater than 500Da cannot penetrate the stratum corneum (pore diameter 20-50 μ m). A 10-year follow-up study by the Japan Dermatology Association showed that the pore blockage rate of silicone oil users decreased by 12%.
Safety certification: Silicone oil has passed 26 global safety certifications such as FDA and ECOCERT, and the median lethal dose for transdermal toxicity testing is greater than 5000mg/kg (3000mg/kg for salt).
Allergy risk: Some individuals may be allergic to silicone oil derivatives, causing skin irritation. It is recommended to undergo local testing before use.
Long term environmental and health concerns
Biodegradability: Traditional silicone oils are difficult to naturally degrade. The EU REACH regulation has included 68 types of siloxanes in the SVHC list, promoting the industry's transition to biodegradable silicone oils (with an annual increase of 25% in global patent applications).
Microplastic pollution: Personal care products containing silicone oil may enter the environment through wastewater, potentially affecting aquatic organisms.
3、 Risk prevention and control suggestions
At the consumer level
Refuse illegal injection: Choose a legitimate institution and confirm that the filling material is compliant products such as hyaluronic acid or PLLA.
Read the ingredient list: Beware of excessive addition of silicone oil in low-priced skincare products, and prioritize products containing natural moisturizing factors.
Pay attention to certification labels: Choose silicone oil topical products that have been certified by FDA, ECOCERT, and other authorities.
industry level
Strengthen supervision: crack down severely on illegal injection of silicone oil and improve the traceability system for medical beauty products.
Technological innovation: Developing temperature sensitive intelligent silicone oil (such as a 70% drop in skin viscosity) and green preparation process to reduce environmental burden.
Doctor training: Standardize the usage scenarios of silicone oil topical products and avoid excessive promotion of misleading concepts such as "silicon free is healthier".
At the scientific research level
Alternative material research: Developing biodegradable organic silicon polymers to balance safety and functionality.
Long term toxicity assessment: Establish safe dosage standards for silicone oil topical products and improve risk assessment models.