The Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) has banned the use of PMMA as a filler for aesthetic and reconstructive purposes across Brazil [1].
This prohibition marks a significant shift in the country's medical regulations for cosmetic procedures. The decision follows a series of severe health complications and a recent death linked to the substance, prompting regulators to prioritize patient safety over aesthetic outcomes.
The CFM said that the risks associated with the material far outweigh the benefits [3]. The council cited grave complications, including chronic inflammation and renal failure, as primary drivers for the ban [3]. A representative of the CFM said the decision was taken after an analysis of serious complications and deaths related to PMMA [2].
Specific reports indicate that the ban was motivated by at least one death [1], with the patient dying on May 26, 2026 [1]. While the CFM announced the measure on June 29, 2026 [1], the prohibition became effective starting June 2, 2026 [4].
The ban applies to all medical practitioners throughout the national territory [1, 2]. However, the CFM provided a narrow exception for the use of the substance in cases of lipodystrophy in patients living with HIV/AIDS [1].
Medical professionals are now required to adhere to these restrictions to avoid disciplinary action. The CFM said that the permanent nature of PMMA fillers often makes complications difficult to treat, contributing to the decision to remove the substance from general aesthetic practice [3].
“"Os riscos superam muito os benefícios"”
The ban reflects a growing regulatory crackdown on permanent fillers in Brazil, moving toward safer, absorbable alternatives. By restricting PMMA to specific medical necessities like HIV-related lipodystrophy, the CFM is acknowledging that while the substance has clinical utility in rare pathologies, its risk profile is unacceptable for elective cosmetic enhancement.
