The Truth About Silicone Butt Injections: Safety, Risks & Facts

Originally Authored by Dr. Rosmy Barrios - March 31, 2023

Medically Reviewed and Updated by Abinaya Muralidharan, M. Pharm - July 01, 2026

Introduction

Silicone butt injections have gained popularity in recent years as a way to achieve fuller, more rounded buttocks. However, the potential dangers of these injections cannot be ignored. The procedure involves injecting silicone directly into the buttocks, which can lead to a range of health risks and complications.

There have been several reported fatalities associated with illegal silicone butt injections, including those involving American actress Cindyana Santangelo and former Miss Argentina Solange Magnano. One widely reported case involved model Christina Ashten Gourkani, known for her resemblance to Kim Kardashian, who died after receiving illegal silicone injections from an unlicensed practitioner, highlighting the potentially life-threatening risks of these procedures.

In this article, we will provide an overview of the risks associated with silicone butt injections and why individuals considering this procedure should be aware of the potential dangers.

What Are Silicone Butt Injections?

Silicone butt injections are a cosmetic procedure in which silicone is injected into the buttocks to enhance their size and shape. This method of buttock augmentation is considered a form of non-surgical, injection-based procedure. The silicone is typically injected percutaneously in large, continuous volumes rather than using a precise microdroplet technique, which is applied for small facial corrections. This is a risky and potentially dangerous cosmetic procedure that should not be taken lightly. Silicone injections are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the buttocks or any other cosmetic purpose. Therefore, the procedure is often performed by unlicensed or untrained practitioners in non-medical settings, which increases the risk of complications.

The silicone used in these injections can be either medical-grade or non-medical grade. Medical-grade injectable silicone is approved by the FDA only for limited medical purposes, such as intraocular ophthalmic use. It is sometimes used off-label by licensed providers for wrinkles or facial features. Non-medical grade silicone, on the other hand, is not approved for any medical use and is often used illegally in black-market butt injections.

Silicone butt injections can lead to a range of health risks and complications, including infections, scarring, chronic pain, disfigurement, and even death. The silicone can migrate to other parts of the body, causing damage to internal organs and tissue. In some cases, the silicone can also harden, leading to the formation of granulomas (lumps of inflamed tissue) or nodules.

The Cosmetic Effects of Silicone Butt Injections

The cosmetic effect of silicone butt injections is to enhance the size, shape, and contour of the buttocks. The procedure is often sought after by those who desire a curvier figure or a more pronounced hourglass shape.

However, it is crucial to remember that the cosmetic effects of silicone butt injections are not always consistent and can vary depending on the amount of silicone injected and the site of the injection.

Important Note: Global health authorities, including the FDA, strictly warn against using injectable liquid silicone to achieve a fuller or lifted enhancement. Illegal silicone injections are extremely dangerous and carry life-threatening risks, including permanent disfigurement, severe long-term infections, and immediate death from pulmonary embolism.

Silicone Butt Injection vs. Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery

Silicone butt injections and Brazilian butt lifts (BBL) are two types of cosmetic procedures used to enhance the appearance of the buttocks, but they differ in several ways.

Silicone Butt Injections

Silicone butt injections involve the injection of silicone directly into the buttocks to increase their size and improve their shape. The procedure is typically performed in a non-surgical setting and does not involve the removal of fat from other areas of the body. The results of silicone butt injections can be immediate, but the procedure carries a higher risk of complications such as infections, migration of the silicone, and hardening of the silicone.

Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery

Brazilian butt lift is a regulated surgical alternative to silicone injections. The procedure involves removing fat from other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, back, or thighs, via liposuction, purifying it, and then re-injecting it into the superficial subcutaneous layer of the buttocks to improve their shape and size.

It is typically performed in a surgical setting under general anesthesia, and the recovery time is longer than that of silicone butt injections. While the use of autologous fat eliminates foreign-body reactions like those caused by silicone, BBL introduces a severe mechanical risk – accidental injection into deep gluteal veins, which can cause an immediate, fatal pulmonary fat embolism.

Potential Risks and Complications

Silicone butt injections carry a range of risks and potential complications. Some of the most common risks include:

• Infection

Injection site infection can lead to severe pain and inflammation.

• Migration of Silicone

Silicone can migrate from the injection site to other parts of the body, causing damage to the tissue and internal organs, including the kidneys, where it has been linked to renal failure. Migration to the lungs can trigger systemic embolism syndrome – one of the serious complications that can present with fever, low oxygen levels, and respiratory failure.

• Granulomas or Nodules

Silicone can cause progressive tissue hardening over time, leading to the formation of lumps of inflamed tissue (granulomas or nodules) in the buttocks or other parts of the body.

• Chronic Pain

Some patients may experience chronic pain in the buttocks, hips, or back after the procedure.

• Scarring

The injection site can develop scars, especially if the silicone is injected improperly or by an unlicensed practitioner.

• Disfigurement

Silicone butt injections can lead to asymmetry, irregularities, or other deformities in the buttocks.

• Death

In rare cases, silicone butt injections can be fatal due to complications such as pulmonary embolism or septic shock.

It is crucial to remember that the dangers and potential consequences connected with silicone butt injections might change depending on a number of factors, including the volume and site of the injection, the silicone's quality, and the practitioner's expertise and experience; however, no combination of these factors makes the procedure safe.

The Bottom Line

Silicone butt injections are a dangerous and potentially deadly cosmetic procedure that should be avoided. The procedure involves injecting silicone directly into the buttocks to enhance their look, but this method of buttock augmentation is not approved by the FDA and carries a high risk of serious complications, including infection, migration of the silicone to internal organs and tissues, chronic pain, and even death.
For those seeking gluteal enhancement, evidence-based alternatives include targeted resistance training – such as squats and hip thrusts, which have been shown to produce measurable gluteal muscle growth. For those seeking a surgical procedure, the Brazilian Butt Lift can be a safer option, as long as it is performed by skilled surgeons who follow established safety protocols.

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Also Read - Aesthetic Medicine:

• Aesthetic Procedures for Earlobes
• Review of 5 Classic Cosmetic Surgeries & Invasive Procedures

Abinaya Muralidharan holds an M. Pharm in Pharmacology. She specializes in turning complex science into clear, credible content, with experience spanning clinical safety, regulatory affairs, and medical communications. She has worked across various therapeutic areas, including but not limited to oncology, dermatology, hematology, and cardiology. She has authored publications in peer-reviewed journals, including original research papers and review articles.

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