Why Injecting Fillers, Liquid Silicone or Unknown Substances Into the Breast Is a Serious Risk

Some clinics, and especially unlicensed providers, offer injections to enlarge breasts. Products have included liquid silicone, paraffin, oils and cosmetic fillers designed for the face. These are not the same as regulated breast implants.

Why breast tissue is a difficult place for injections

A breast is a large, soft organ with glandular tissue, fat and a rich blood supply. Material injected there can spread, form clumps, trigger inflammation or be hard to locate later. Unlike an implant, it cannot simply be removed as a single object.

Possible complications

• Hard lumps (granulomas) that can appear months or years later
• Infection and abscess
• Migration of material to other areas
• Skin changes, pain and distortion
• Difficulty with breast imaging, because lumps can look like abnormalities
• Complex surgery to remove material, sometimes not fully possible

“Filler” is not one thing

Some dermal fillers are approved for specific areas such as the face. That approval does not extend to the breast. Using a product outside its approved indication means its safety in that site has not been established. See breast fillers.

Red flags

• No clear product name or batch information
• Procedure offered at a beauty salon or home
• No medical history taken
• Promise of a large increase in one short visit
• Price much lower than other options

If you have already had injections

See a doctor with relevant experience. Do not try to squeeze, drain or remove lumps yourself. Tell any imaging team about the injections. Seek urgent care for fever, spreading redness, severe pain or rapidly changing lumps. Information on removal is on our breast filler removal page.