Kare Plastic Surgery · Santa Monica · Los Angeles
What Is Silicone Biopolymer? Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · (310) 998-5533
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery explains permanent fillers and biopolymers, their long-term complications, and how they are surgically removed for patients throughout Los Angeles.
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All Biopolymer TypesDiagnosed and Removed
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Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD FACS Biopolymer Removal Expert · Dual Board-Certified Kare Plastic Surgery · 804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · (310) 998-5533
What Is Silicone Biopolymer · Los Angeles
Understanding Silicone Biopolymers and Permanent Fillers
A biopolymer, in the context of cosmetic injections, refers to any synthetic material injected into the body to add volume that the body cannot break down or eliminate. The term encompasses liquid silicone, PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), hydrogel, aquagel, and other substances used as permanent or semi-permanent fillers for the face and body.
These materials are not naturally metabolized. Once injected, they remain in the tissue permanently and trigger a chronic immune response. The body surrounds each deposit with inflammatory cells, forming granulomas (siliconomas) that grow over time. This process, known as a foreign body tissue reaction, can cause progressive pain, skin changes, nodules, and in severe cases systemic symptoms affecting the lungs and lymph nodes.
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is a nationally recognized expert in biopolymer identification, diagnosis, and surgical removal at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica. His team uses ultrasound mapping, tissue biopsy, and the Karamanoukian Grading Scale to evaluate each patient before removal. See our silicone removal page and our biopolymer side effects page. Call (310) 998-5533.
Common Biopolymers Treated at Kare Plastic Surgery
Liquid Silicone
Used illegally for facial augmentation and BBL. Disperses through tissue over time. Cannot be dissolved. Requires surgical excision.
PMMA (Bellafill)
Permanent synthetic microspheres in a collagen carrier. Cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Causes foreign body granulomas over time.
Hydrogel and Aquagel
Polyacrylamide gel injected for volume. Not dissolvable. Associated with chronic infection, migration, and severe inflammatory reactions.
FDA Warning: Injectable silicone and all non-approved fillers used for large-scale body contouring are not FDA-approved and carry risks of permanent disfigurement and death. Biopolymers cannot be removed by enzyme and require surgery. Call (310) 998-5533 for an evaluation at Kare Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles.
Silicone and Biopolymer Particles Removed at Kare Plastic Surgery
Silicone Biopolymer · Removed at Kare Silicone and surrounding granulomatous tissue removed during open surgical excision at Kare Plastic Surgery, Los Angeles. (310) 998-5533.
Silicone Particles · Dr. Karamanoukian Individual silicone droplets isolated from surrounding inflammatory tissue during removal surgery at Kare Plastic Surgery. (310) 998-5533.
Long-Term Complications of Biopolymer Fillers
Foreign body tissue reactions from biopolymers are progressive and do not resolve without removal. The longer the material remains, the more the surrounding tissue is affected.
Granuloma Formation
The immune system surrounds biopolymer deposits with inflammatory cells, forming firm, painful granuloma nodules (siliconomas). They grow over time and can ulcerate through the overlying skin.
Chronic Inflammation
Persistent redness, swelling, warmth, and tissue induration at and beyond the injection site. The inflammatory process can spread as the material migrates through tissue planes.
Silicone Migration
Liquid silicone migrates from the original injection site to adjacent areas including the thighs, groin, and lymph nodes. In rare cases, silicone enters the bloodstream and causes pulmonary embolism.
Skin Changes and Ulceration
Progressive skin discoloration, thickening, and in advanced cases ulceration from poor tissue perfusion over inflamed biopolymer deposits. This constitutes Grade 4 disease on the Karamanoukian Grading Scale.
Kare Plastic Surgery · 804 7th Street, Santa Monica
Think You Have Biopolymer Complications? We Can Help.
Same-week consultations available. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates and treats all biopolymer types.
(310) 998-5533
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a biopolymer filler?
A biopolymer filler is any synthetic injectable material the body cannot metabolize, including liquid silicone, PMMA, hydrogel, aquagel, and other permanent substances used for facial or body volume. These materials trigger a chronic foreign body immune reaction and cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase. They require surgical removal. Call (310) 998-5533.
Can biopolymer complications be treated without surgery?
No definitive treatment exists without surgical removal. Steroid injections can temporarily reduce granuloma size but do not eliminate the underlying foreign material. Complete resolution of biopolymer complications requires surgical excision of the material and surrounding inflammatory tissue. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates each patient individually. Call (310) 998-5533.
Kare Plastic Surgery · Los Angeles & Santa Monica · 804 7th Street
Treat Your Biopolymer Complication with Dr. Karamanoukian
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, dual board-certified plastic surgeon at Kare Plastic Surgery, diagnoses and surgically removes all biopolymer types throughout Los Angeles. Same-week consultations available for patients nationwide.