Silicone Implants vs Gore-Tex in Korea: Key Differences, Risks, and Long-Term Outcomes

In Korea, silicone and Gore-Tex (ePTFE) are the two most well-known materials historically used for nasal implants. While both are still used in select cases, modern Korean rhinoplasty has become far more cautious with implant choice due to long-term complication data and revision experience.

This guide explains how silicone and Gore-Tex differ, why complications occur, and how Korean surgeons decide when (or if) implants are appropriate.

What Are Silicone and Gore-Tex Nasal Implants?

Silicone Implants

Silicone is a solid, smooth implant that has been widely used in Asia for decades, especially for dorsal (bridge) augmentation.

• Non-porous
• Maintains fixed shape
• Easy to insert and remove

Gore-Tex (ePTFE) Implants

Gore-Tex is a soft, porous material designed to allow tissue ingrowth.

• Microporous structure
• Softer feel than silicone
• Integrates partially with surrounding tissue

Key Differences in How They Behave in the Nose

Silicone: Stable Shape, Higher Pressure

Silicone maintains its shape permanently. While this makes height predictable, it also means:

• Constant pressure on skin
• No flexibility with facial movement
• Higher risk of visible edges in thin skin

Over time, the body often forms a capsule around silicone, which can tighten.

Gore-Tex: Softer Feel, Less Predictable Long Term

Gore-Tex feels more natural initially because:

• It compresses slightly
• Tissue grows into the pores

However, this integration makes:

• Removal more difficult
• Infection harder to treat
• Revision surgery more complex

Common Complications Seen in Korea

Silicone Implant Complications

• Capsular contracture (hard, tight nose)
• Shiny or thinning skin
• Implant visibility
• Bridge deviation or shifting
• Implant exposure (late-stage)

These are common reasons for implant removal revision surgery.

Gore-Tex Implant Complications

• Chronic inflammation
• Infection that does not respond to antibiotics
• Irregular contour as tissue grows unevenly
• Difficult removal with tissue damage risk

While Gore-Tex may look natural early on, complications can be harder to fix.

Why Korean Surgeons Have Become More Conservative

Korea sees a very high volume of revision rhinoplasty, especially from:

• Over-tall implants
• Long-term implant aging
• Thin-skin patients

From this experience, surgeons learned:

• Implant problems often appear years later
• Gore-Tex complications are harder to revise
• Silicone complications are more predictable—but still frequent

This has shifted modern practice toward cartilage-first or hybrid approaches.

When Silicone May Still Be Used (Selective Cases)

Silicone may still be considered if:

• Skin is thick and healthy
• Only modest bridge height is needed
• It is a first-time surgery
• The patient understands long-term risks

Even then, Korean surgeons avoid tall or rigid designs.

When Gore-Tex May Be Considered

Gore-Tex may be used when:

• Very subtle augmentation is needed
• The surgeon expects minimal tension
• The patient has no history of inflammation

However, many Korean surgeons now avoid Gore-Tex altogether due to revision difficulty.

Why Many Korean Surgeons Prefer Cartilage Instead

Compared to implants, autologous cartilage:

• Integrates naturally with the body
• Ages better over time
• Has lower long-term complication rates
• Is safer in thin skin
• Is easier to revise later

For this reason, cartilage-based or hybrid rhinoplasty has become the dominant trend in advanced Korean clinics.

Silicone vs Gore-Tex: What Actually Matters More

The biggest risk factors are not just material—but:

• Implant height
• Skin thickness
• Surgical technique
• Long-term tension
• Surgeon experience

A low, well-planned implant can outperform a poorly planned Gore-Tex implant—and vice versa.

What Does NOT Fix Implant Problems

❌ Fillers to mask implant edges
❌ Threads to lift implant-related contracture
❌ Waiting once skin thinning starts

Early evaluation and proper revision planning are critical.

Final Thoughts

In Korea, the debate between silicone vs Gore-Tex has largely been overtaken by a bigger question:

Should an implant be used at all?

While both materials still exist, modern Korean rhinoplasty increasingly favors cartilage-based structure with conservative augmentation. When implants are used, they are kept low, small, and secondary to support, not the main feature.

The safest nose is not built on height—it’s built on stability, biology, and long-term planning.