Injecting Silicone, and Risk

[Guest guest]

Note: forwarded message attached.

Skin Deep

Injecting Silicone, and Risk

New York Times, By Natasha Singer - January 26, 2006

OVER the last two years, three women with strange skin conditions have sought help from Dr. A. C. Kane, a plastic surgeon in New York City. One had bumps the size of capers bulging from her lips. One's forehead was red with inflammation. And a third had ridges that looked to Dr. Kane like worms nestled below her eye sockets. All of these problems had been caused by injections of liquid silicone, one of the most controversial substances in cosmetic medicine. Long used without official sanction and then banned by the Food and Drug Administration, liquid silicone was finally approved for medical use in 1997: to hold detached retinas in place. And it has been gradually regaining popularity, as doctors use it off-label to fill wrinkles, furrows and acne scars or add volume to lips and cheeks.. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/26/fashion/thursdaystyles/26skin.html?_r=1

Doctors divided on cosmetic silicone

United Press International

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2006 (UPI) -- U.S. doctors are divided over the cosmetic use of silicone, with some saying side effects are rare, and others calling it a ticking time bomb. The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of liquid silicone for medical use in 1997 to hold detached retinas in place, but the approval means it can be used in other medical procedures as well, mainly in removing facial lines and scars. However, many doctors are skeptical, including Dr. Kane, a plastic surgeon in New York."The small percentage of people who have reactions look so bad that it makes using silicone not worth the risk," he said. "If, God forbid, silicone becomes widespread and every doctor starts injecting it, it will become a disaster."

http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20060126-113758-1994r

US FDA investigators said asking about Mentor Corp

Wed Jan 25, 2006, By Richwine - lisa.richwine.reuters.com@...

WASHINGTON, Jan 25 2006(Reuters) - A consumer activist and a former Mentor Corp. (MNT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) employee said on Wednesday they had been interviewed by U.S. criminal investigators about the company's experimental silicone breast implants. Zuckerman, president of the National Research Center for Women & Families, told Reuters she spoke last Friday with investigators from the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations... http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=governmentFilingsNews & storyID=URI:urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060125:MTFH37788_2006-01-25_23-18-48_N25250349:1

-- _______________________________________________

Search for businesses by name, location, or phone number. -Lycos Yellow Pages

http://yp.lycos.com