Fw: Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly ~ ABCNews

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: " ilena rose " <ilena@...>

<Recipient List Suppressed:;>

Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 11:37 AM

Subject: Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly ~ ABCNews

~~~ The Silicone PR team supplied this ~~~

Tuesday January 29 02:00 AM EST

Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly

By ABCNEWS.com

Women willing to have " kitchen table " silicone injections are paying

the price.

Theresa, who asked that her last name not be used, was hoping that the

liquid silicone injection she paid for would make her lips fuller and

sexier - and for a while it did. But then ugly bumps surfaced on her

mouth.

The silicone had hardened, forming two white bumps on her lips that

required two reconstructive surgeries to remove. Her plastic surgeon

said the bumps were her body's attempt to reject the silicone, which

should never have been injected.

" You get bumps, you get extrusions which is the silicone's attempt to

leave the body, " New Jersey plastic surgeon Rosenberg told

WABC-TV's Wallace. " The body tends to want to eject any material

that is annoying in any way and silicone is one such material. "

In the back rooms of beauty salons and in private homes, a growing

number of women who want fuller lips, fewer wrinkles or fuller

buttocks are paying to have unlicensed practitioners inject them with

illegal liquid silicone, which is supposed to build up their tissues.

But in their efforts to plump up their pouts or improve their

appearances, the customers are putting their health and looks on the

line.

The Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) has not approved

the marketing of liquid silicone for injection for any cosmetic

purpose. Injected liquid silicone can move through the body, causing

tissue inflammation and discoloration, bumps and deformities. The

government prohibits manufacturers and doctors from selling it or

advertising for it. Like Theresa, some women who have undergone the

procedure have had to get the silicon removed and have needed cosmetic

surgery to repair their lips.

Scam Artists Scatter Quickly

One New Jersey woman who had the procedure done said she didn't

directly know the woman who injected her lips with silicone. A friend

had referred her and the woman came to her home with a syringe.

" We sat at my kitchen table, she numbed me and then she injected me

with silicone, " said the New Jersey woman, who asked that her name not

be used. " I really didn't know much about her. I knew that a friend of

mine had it done and she looked really well. "

The woman who performed the injection claimed she worked at a Long

Island beauty salon. Investigators say she is more likely a part of a

growing underground of unlicensed practitioners offering dangerous

silicone injections on the cheap.

Enrique heads up a team of state investigators who are rooting

out unlicensed practitioners in Florida, where much of the illegal

silicone trade begins. If arrested, they may be charged with

unlicensed practice of medicine, a felony.

" These practitioners will fly to Miami, for example, for Friday,

Saturday and Sunday. All cash business, " said , chief

investigator for the Florida Department of Health's Unlicensed

Activity Office. " Then they'll fly to New York and maybe do two or

three days, then fly to Los Angeles. "

The fly-by-night nature of the business makes it hard for them to be

tracked.

" The best way to describe it is like cockroaches. When you turn on the

lights everyone scatters but when you turn off the lights they all

come back, " said. " It's a huge industry. "

Underground Market Offers Cheap Alternative

Most people are familiar with the silicone gel that is used in breast

implants, but fewer are aware that silicone also comes in liquid form

that can be injected through a syringe. Injectible silicone is not

approved for cosmetic use in the United States, but unlicensed

practitioners cart around bags full of it, making house calls through

a clandestine word-of-mouth market.

The silicone is either smuggled in from other countries, or it is

illicitly obtained medical-grade silicone, which is only supposed to

be used to sterilize medical equipment.

Many customers are drawn to the procedure because it is cheaper than

collagen, a popular natural substance that is federally approved for

injection in cosmetic surgery. Collagen is temporary and expensive.

" I've done collagen ó it stayed for 2 months and I needed to go back, "

another woman said. " It was very expensive. "

The woman who injected her with liquid silicone was foreign, and said

that she brought the silicone from her country. The needles were

sterilized, but the patient regrets having it done.

" It was probably stupid ó I just hope I have no problems, " the woman

said.

Operation Hot Lips

In Florida, investigators are going undercover to snare the alleged

silicone sellers. Similar to undercover drug busts, investigators set

up buys, then move in to make arrests after the undercover " customer "

gives the signal. In one case, investigators arrested two people, and

pulled out $35,000 in cash.

In Florida, there are reports of Tupperware-like parties where groups

of friends are served drinks and appetizers, and then pay about $250

to be injected with silicone to plump up their lips, buttocks or

breasts. One former Miami model ended up with small lumps under her

eyes after an injection of " life cells " that were supposed to smooth

out her laugh lines and give her full lips.

But it's not just happening in Florida.

" Dozens of the practitioners we're investigating also have businesses

in New York and New Jersey, " said. In some cases, the illicit

practitioners go to their local hardware store and buy they type of

silicone that is used for caulking bathtubs, then dilute it and inject

it in some unwitting customer. Others even inject hot paraffin or

candle wax into the body, he said.

These foreign substances can cause violent reactions in the body,

especially when too much is put in. One New Jersey woman who had her

injection done in a beauty salon had her lips swell up immediately as

though a bee had stung her.

Now the woman needs plastic surgery to remove the silicone, injected

by a stranger in a beauty salon. The practitioner disappeared. Doctors

say that liquid silicone can lay dormant for years, then later cause

health problems.

" You are really injecting a little time bomb, " said. " The

problem is, you don't know how long the fuse is. You don't know when

it's going to go off. "

[Guest guest]

I know it is terrible that no one protects us in these situation, really

sad, and the PS's often times do not tell us either.

I don't know what to say, it is a bad situation honey.

That is why I recommend that if women are insistent to get implants they do

allot of research and not just pro implant stuff they need to look at

everything and realize what they are signing up for .

Love

----- Original Message -----

From: " Angelika " <angmattoni@...>

< >

Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 9:51 AM

Subject: Re: Fw: Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly ~

ABCNews

> Can I ask you a question? In this article it states that the FDA has not

> yet approved this. What the heck does it matter or not? Who really are

> they? What do they do? NOTHING!! They don't protect us like they

should.

> Saline implants weren't approved until 5/2000, why were they allowed to be

> used? If I would have known that I would not have gotten the implants in

> 11/98. CORRUPTION!

>

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: " Heer " <idagirl@...>

> < >

> Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 10:34 AM

> Subject: Fw: Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly ~

ABCNews

>

>

> >

> > ----- Original Message -----

> > From: " ilena rose " <ilena@...>

> > <Recipient List Suppressed:;>

> > Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 11:37 AM

> > Subject: Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly ~ ABCNews

> >

> >

> > ~~~ The Silicone PR team supplied this ~~~

> >

> > Tuesday January 29 02:00 AM EST

> > Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly

> > By ABCNEWS.com

> >

> > Women willing to have " kitchen table " silicone injections are paying

> > the price.

> >

> > Theresa, who asked that her last name not be used, was hoping that the

> > liquid silicone injection she paid for would make her lips fuller and

> > sexier - and for a while it did. But then ugly bumps surfaced on her

> > mouth.

> >

> > The silicone had hardened, forming two white bumps on her lips that

> > required two reconstructive surgeries to remove. Her plastic surgeon

> > said the bumps were her body's attempt to reject the silicone, which

> > should never have been injected.

> >

> > " You get bumps, you get extrusions which is the silicone's attempt to

> > leave the body, " New Jersey plastic surgeon Rosenberg told

> > WABC-TV's Wallace. " The body tends to want to eject any material

> > that is annoying in any way and silicone is one such material. "

> >

> > In the back rooms of beauty salons and in private homes, a growing

> > number of women who want fuller lips, fewer wrinkles or fuller

> > buttocks are paying to have unlicensed practitioners inject them with

> > illegal liquid silicone, which is supposed to build up their tissues.

> > But in their efforts to plump up their pouts or improve their

> > appearances, the customers are putting their health and looks on the

> > line.

> >

> > The Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) has not approved

> > the marketing of liquid silicone for injection for any cosmetic

> > purpose. Injected liquid silicone can move through the body, causing

> > tissue inflammation and discoloration, bumps and deformities. The

> > government prohibits manufacturers and doctors from selling it or

> > advertising for it. Like Theresa, some women who have undergone the

> > procedure have had to get the silicon removed and have needed cosmetic

> > surgery to repair their lips.

> >

> > Scam Artists Scatter Quickly

> >

> > One New Jersey woman who had the procedure done said she didn't

> > directly know the woman who injected her lips with silicone. A friend

> > had referred her and the woman came to her home with a syringe.

> >

> > " We sat at my kitchen table, she numbed me and then she injected me

> > with silicone, " said the New Jersey woman, who asked that her name not

> > be used. " I really didn't know much about her. I knew that a friend of

> > mine had it done and she looked really well. "

> >

> > The woman who performed the injection claimed she worked at a Long

> > Island beauty salon. Investigators say she is more likely a part of a

> > growing underground of unlicensed practitioners offering dangerous

> > silicone injections on the cheap.

> >

> > Enrique heads up a team of state investigators who are rooting

> > out unlicensed practitioners in Florida, where much of the illegal

> > silicone trade begins. If arrested, they may be charged with

> > unlicensed practice of medicine, a felony.

> >

> > " These practitioners will fly to Miami, for example, for Friday,

> > Saturday and Sunday. All cash business, " said , chief

> > investigator for the Florida Department of Health's Unlicensed

> > Activity Office. " Then they'll fly to New York and maybe do two or

> > three days, then fly to Los Angeles. "

> >

> > The fly-by-night nature of the business makes it hard for them to be

> > tracked.

> >

> > " The best way to describe it is like cockroaches. When you turn on the

> > lights everyone scatters but when you turn off the lights they all

> > come back, " said. " It's a huge industry. "

> >

> > Underground Market Offers Cheap Alternative

> >

> > Most people are familiar with the silicone gel that is used in breast

> > implants, but fewer are aware that silicone also comes in liquid form

> > that can be injected through a syringe. Injectible silicone is not

> > approved for cosmetic use in the United States, but unlicensed

> > practitioners cart around bags full of it, making house calls through

> > a clandestine word-of-mouth market.

> >

> > The silicone is either smuggled in from other countries, or it is

> > illicitly obtained medical-grade silicone, which is only supposed to

> > be used to sterilize medical equipment.

> >

> > Many customers are drawn to the procedure because it is cheaper than

> > collagen, a popular natural substance that is federally approved for

> > injection in cosmetic surgery. Collagen is temporary and expensive.

> >

> > " I've done collagen ó it stayed for 2 months and I needed to go back, "

> > another woman said. " It was very expensive. "

> >

> > The woman who injected her with liquid silicone was foreign, and said

> > that she brought the silicone from her country. The needles were

> > sterilized, but the patient regrets having it done.

> >

> > " It was probably stupid ó I just hope I have no problems, " the woman

> > said.

> >

> > Operation Hot Lips

> >

> > In Florida, investigators are going undercover to snare the alleged

> > silicone sellers. Similar to undercover drug busts, investigators set

> > up buys, then move in to make arrests after the undercover " customer "

> > gives the signal. In one case, investigators arrested two people, and

> > pulled out $35,000 in cash.

> >

> > In Florida, there are reports of Tupperware-like parties where groups

> > of friends are served drinks and appetizers, and then pay about $250

> > to be injected with silicone to plump up their lips, buttocks or

> > breasts. One former Miami model ended up with small lumps under her

> > eyes after an injection of " life cells " that were supposed to smooth

> > out her laugh lines and give her full lips.

> >

> > But it's not just happening in Florida.

> >

> > " Dozens of the practitioners we're investigating also have businesses

> > in New York and New Jersey, " said. In some cases, the illicit

> > practitioners go to their local hardware store and buy they type of

> > silicone that is used for caulking bathtubs, then dilute it and inject

> > it in some unwitting customer. Others even inject hot paraffin or

> > candle wax into the body, he said.

> >

> > These foreign substances can cause violent reactions in the body,

> > especially when too much is put in. One New Jersey woman who had her

> > injection done in a beauty salon had her lips swell up immediately as

> > though a bee had stung her.

> >

> > Now the woman needs plastic surgery to remove the silicone, injected

> > by a stranger in a beauty salon. The practitioner disappeared. Doctors

> > say that liquid silicone can lay dormant for years, then later cause

> > health problems.

> >

> > " You are really injecting a little time bomb, " said. " The

> > problem is, you don't know how long the fuse is. You don't know when

> > it's going to go off. "

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Can I ask you a question? In this article it states that the FDA has not

yet approved this. What the heck does it matter or not? Who really are

they? What do they do? NOTHING!! They don't protect us like they should.

Saline implants weren't approved until 5/2000, why were they allowed to be

used? If I would have known that I would not have gotten the implants in

11/98. CORRUPTION!

----- Original Message -----

From: " Heer " <idagirl@...>

< >

Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 10:34 AM

Subject: Fw: Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly ~ ABCNews

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: " ilena rose " <ilena@...>

> <Recipient List Suppressed:;>

> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 11:37 AM

> Subject: Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly ~ ABCNews

>

>

> ~~~ The Silicone PR team supplied this ~~~

>

> Tuesday January 29 02:00 AM EST

> Why Silicone Lip Treatments Turn Ugly

> By ABCNEWS.com

>

> Women willing to have " kitchen table " silicone injections are paying

> the price.

>

> Theresa, who asked that her last name not be used, was hoping that the

> liquid silicone injection she paid for would make her lips fuller and

> sexier - and for a while it did. But then ugly bumps surfaced on her

> mouth.

>

> The silicone had hardened, forming two white bumps on her lips that

> required two reconstructive surgeries to remove. Her plastic surgeon

> said the bumps were her body's attempt to reject the silicone, which

> should never have been injected.

>

> " You get bumps, you get extrusions which is the silicone's attempt to

> leave the body, " New Jersey plastic surgeon Rosenberg told

> WABC-TV's Wallace. " The body tends to want to eject any material

> that is annoying in any way and silicone is one such material. "

>

> In the back rooms of beauty salons and in private homes, a growing

> number of women who want fuller lips, fewer wrinkles or fuller

> buttocks are paying to have unlicensed practitioners inject them with

> illegal liquid silicone, which is supposed to build up their tissues.

> But in their efforts to plump up their pouts or improve their

> appearances, the customers are putting their health and looks on the

> line.

>

> The Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) has not approved

> the marketing of liquid silicone for injection for any cosmetic

> purpose. Injected liquid silicone can move through the body, causing

> tissue inflammation and discoloration, bumps and deformities. The

> government prohibits manufacturers and doctors from selling it or

> advertising for it. Like Theresa, some women who have undergone the

> procedure have had to get the silicon removed and have needed cosmetic

> surgery to repair their lips.

>

> Scam Artists Scatter Quickly

>

> One New Jersey woman who had the procedure done said she didn't

> directly know the woman who injected her lips with silicone. A friend

> had referred her and the woman came to her home with a syringe.

>

> " We sat at my kitchen table, she numbed me and then she injected me

> with silicone, " said the New Jersey woman, who asked that her name not

> be used. " I really didn't know much about her. I knew that a friend of

> mine had it done and she looked really well. "

>

> The woman who performed the injection claimed she worked at a Long

> Island beauty salon. Investigators say she is more likely a part of a

> growing underground of unlicensed practitioners offering dangerous

> silicone injections on the cheap.

>

> Enrique heads up a team of state investigators who are rooting

> out unlicensed practitioners in Florida, where much of the illegal

> silicone trade begins. If arrested, they may be charged with

> unlicensed practice of medicine, a felony.

>

> " These practitioners will fly to Miami, for example, for Friday,

> Saturday and Sunday. All cash business, " said , chief

> investigator for the Florida Department of Health's Unlicensed

> Activity Office. " Then they'll fly to New York and maybe do two or

> three days, then fly to Los Angeles. "

>

> The fly-by-night nature of the business makes it hard for them to be

> tracked.

>

> " The best way to describe it is like cockroaches. When you turn on the

> lights everyone scatters but when you turn off the lights they all

> come back, " said. " It's a huge industry. "

>

> Underground Market Offers Cheap Alternative

>

> Most people are familiar with the silicone gel that is used in breast

> implants, but fewer are aware that silicone also comes in liquid form

> that can be injected through a syringe. Injectible silicone is not

> approved for cosmetic use in the United States, but unlicensed

> practitioners cart around bags full of it, making house calls through

> a clandestine word-of-mouth market.

>

> The silicone is either smuggled in from other countries, or it is

> illicitly obtained medical-grade silicone, which is only supposed to

> be used to sterilize medical equipment.

>

> Many customers are drawn to the procedure because it is cheaper than

> collagen, a popular natural substance that is federally approved for

> injection in cosmetic surgery. Collagen is temporary and expensive.

>

> " I've done collagen ó it stayed for 2 months and I needed to go back, "

> another woman said. " It was very expensive. "

>

> The woman who injected her with liquid silicone was foreign, and said

> that she brought the silicone from her country. The needles were

> sterilized, but the patient regrets having it done.

>

> " It was probably stupid ó I just hope I have no problems, " the woman

> said.

>

> Operation Hot Lips

>

> In Florida, investigators are going undercover to snare the alleged

> silicone sellers. Similar to undercover drug busts, investigators set

> up buys, then move in to make arrests after the undercover " customer "

> gives the signal. In one case, investigators arrested two people, and

> pulled out $35,000 in cash.

>

> In Florida, there are reports of Tupperware-like parties where groups

> of friends are served drinks and appetizers, and then pay about $250

> to be injected with silicone to plump up their lips, buttocks or

> breasts. One former Miami model ended up with small lumps under her

> eyes after an injection of " life cells " that were supposed to smooth

> out her laugh lines and give her full lips.

>

> But it's not just happening in Florida.

>

> " Dozens of the practitioners we're investigating also have businesses

> in New York and New Jersey, " said. In some cases, the illicit

> practitioners go to their local hardware store and buy they type of

> silicone that is used for caulking bathtubs, then dilute it and inject

> it in some unwitting customer. Others even inject hot paraffin or

> candle wax into the body, he said.

>

> These foreign substances can cause violent reactions in the body,

> especially when too much is put in. One New Jersey woman who had her

> injection done in a beauty salon had her lips swell up immediately as

> though a bee had stung her.

>

> Now the woman needs plastic surgery to remove the silicone, injected

> by a stranger in a beauty salon. The practitioner disappeared. Doctors

> say that liquid silicone can lay dormant for years, then later cause

> health problems.

>

> " You are really injecting a little time bomb, " said. " The

> problem is, you don't know how long the fuse is. You don't know when

> it's going to go off. "

>

>

>

>

>

>