I'm starting to wish I never got the silicone, although it has greatly improved my last ~5 years.

2 hours ago, marinera83 said:

although it has greatly improved my last ~5 years.

How bad is/was your scarring, and how much did the silicone improve your skin?

Curious to hear this.

I would say it was moderate, although I absolutely couldn't stand it. I have rolling scars and a few boxcars. It has improved to the point where I'm not really bothered by seeing myself in adverse lighting. my confidence and body image is much better. I can still see imperfections, but I have to look more closely and they're not as bad as they were. But given how well Infini seems to perform, I wish I could just try that without worrying that it could interact with the silicone. That technology just didn't exist when I started doing the silicone. I have had scarring since 2001 and started doing the silicone in 2012. other treatments like TCA peels and the pixel laser didn't help much.

Silicone, even microdroplet is risky. 7 to 10 years out is when people have side effects. By the nature of the substance it can migrate (move) as you age), be a platform for biofilms, create granulomas, and for most people that are supper fat deficient it does not stay micro when enough is injected to fill the area. I would be cautious about doing Infini RF as it could stimulate the silicone to have granulomas reaction or keloids. IF they do it please let the doctor know you had silicone micro injections and they will possibly be more superficial with your treatment to avoid issues. Some doctors will not do this to take on the liability. IF there is any issues you may need steroid injections.

You can always do TCA peels or dermabration and avoid stimulating deeper into the skin with side effects, these are more topical.

I've read about all of these risks, but I do wonder if the complications are usually the result of impure silicone injections or injections done by nonphysicians. My doctor is very experienced with silicone and said using the laser and infini will be ok. He has not injected much into my skin.

The doctor warning me against it uses Bellafill as a filler, which is much newer and to me seems possibly riskier.

If you have read about the risks and are comfortable. Then I say do it. Why not. Your doctor is responsible if he is fully aware you have had these type of injections. You know the risk that you may have side effects. They will be treated with antibiotics and or Steroid creams and injections.

Bellafill is actually safer with laser or microneedle. It is lab controlled, the size is optimal to not have as many side effects, there are very few micro spheres to carrier, the balls are completely spherical with no alteration in side or shape. Silicone is dependent on the injector. It's the perfect incubator for biofilms, they love to attract on the surface medical silicone or not. The FDA did not approve it for this reason. It also migrates. Very few doctors eve do this procedure, so they specialize in this and it's aftercare. I have no idea where they will be in 10 years as others will not deal with the complications. Again side effects happen 7-10 years for some people, but they can be taken care of. Again I am glad you find a good doctor who takes care of you, I hope you enjoy the outcome you are looking for.

I think side effects to silicone happen, but I do trust my dermatologist. He is 74 years old and has been using silicone since 1979. He has it in his own face. If he had a significant number of patients with complications, I think he would stop using it.

I've also read about Artefill and Bellafill complications, so I'm not really convinced they are safer.

this is one doctor's opinion on silicone and bellafill: [Edited link out]