Silicone Lip Implants: Are They Legal?
Silicone is a widely debated substance generally associated with breast augmentation and breast implants. However, silicone is being used as an injection for other parts of the body, as well. Silicone lip implants are an up and coming trend in many countries, but you should know the details and legalities of silicone lip implants in the United States.
First of all, unlike breast implants, silicone lip implants are not really implants but rather injections. This being said, a silicone lip implant is when liquid silicone is injected into the lips to give them a fuller, and presumably sexier, look. There are over two dozen different substances, besides silicone, that are used as lip implants or injections in countries around the world.
In the United States, silicone lip implants are not legal. However, it is still practiced by many. The silicone that is commonly used in silicone lip implants in the United States is approved by the FDA for injection into the eye socket for medical purposes and is not intended to remain there permanently. The FDA does have a regulation that allows an approved medical device or substance to be used for other purposes if deemed necessary by a physician. However, no matter what anyone tells you, silicone lip implants are not legal in the United States at this time.
If you find a plastic surgeon that tells you they can give you silicone lip implants, ask them if silicone is approved for cosmetic purposes. If you are told that silicone oil is approved for cosmetic use, your surgeon is lying to you, and you should look elsewhere for plastic surgery. Also, find out what type of silicone lip implants that a surgeon uses. This is important because many illegal injectors use silicone oil that is not intended for injection into the human body but is an approved medical substance used to lubricate cutting surfaces. Another important factor to take into consideration and ask your surgeon about is dosage for silicone lip implants. Find out what the recommended dose for a single injection is and make sure your surgeon will not go beyond that. Also, find out how often you will need to wait before getting another injection. The time frame between injections should be at least 3 - 4 months. Take before and after pictures so you know if you actually need another injection or not. You don't want to overdo the injections and end up with fish lips. Silicone lip implants carry many risks, which is why the FDA has not approved the use of silicone oil for cosmetic purposes. Consider alternative substances for lip implants if you feel that they are something that you must have. If your heart is set on silicone lip implants, consider getting them done outside of the United States, so you can be sure that you are getting injections with silicone made for injections into the human body. After all, this is your body we are talking about, so take care what you put into it.
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