Brazil bans PMMA as injectable dermal filler

The Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) has banned the medical use of PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) as an injectable substance for skin filling or soft tissue volumization throughout Brazil. This prohibition, established via Resolution CFM No. 2.461/2026, applies to both aesthetic and restorative purposes.

The decision follows scientific evidence linking PMMA to serious complications, including delayed inflammatory reactions, granuloma formation, infections, necrosis, hypercalcemia, and impaired renal function. Some of these issues may manifest years after application and require complex medical treatment.

A 2016 survey by the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP-SP) involving approximately 300 surgeons estimated that 17,000 patients sought specialist care for PMMA-related complications within a single year.

The only exception to this ban is the treatment of facial and body lipodystrophy in patients living with HIV/AIDS. This specific use is restricted to high-complexity assistance units accredited by the Unified Health System (SUS) and must comply with Ministry of Health protocols.