Exogenous cutaneous deposits with special consideration to skin reactions to soft-tissue fillers

Any nonliving material introduced into the skin and-resistant to degradation may trigger an inflammatory response. The origin and way of introduction goes from traumatic (accidental or self-induced) to cosmetic and surgi-cal-procedures to topical application of drugs and products. The increased use of exogenous injectable aesthetic microimplants (soft-tissue fillers) is paralleled by an increase in adverse cutaneous reactions. The most common clinical presentation of granulomatous reactions includes papules, nodules and stiff infiltration of the skin with or without ulceration. Histopathology is a good means to identify the type of exogenous agent, particularly of filler particles. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.