Hydrogel Safety

Hydrogels are extremely moist, cross-linked, polymer gels. Although they have a variety of medical uses, they are primarily known for use in plastic surgery. Hydrogel injections are often used to enhance the buttocks' appearance.

Identification

• Hydrogels are synthetic compounds that do not break down and remain very moist. They are sterile if used correctly and have many uses in plastic surgery. Many people use them for buttocks enhancement. Hydrogels are only safe if injected by a qualified medical professional.

Safety

• Most injuries related to hydrogel have been connected to purchases over the Internet. Hydrogel requires injection by a qualified medical professional; several people who purchased hydrogel online for home injections suffered complications due to sterility issues. Other injuries have taken place due to inferior quality hydrogels.

Warning

• Several doctors at the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo conducted a 2007 medical study that found extreme disfigurement could result from any hydrogel injection complications. Another study in Hong Kong found that hydrogel injections to the breasts could result in permanent, unsightly lesions.