SYNTHOL: Use and Abuse

What the Hell...?

Site-enhancement oil was first introduced in 1899 for filling of wrinkles and breast augmentation. Synthol is a site-enhancement oil used by bodybuilders to boost the cosmetic appearance of muscles. Synthol is usually composed of 85 percent oil (medium-chain triglycerides) 7.5 percent lidocaine and 7.5 percent alcohol. Synthol has been used for many years for increasing muscle size, usually in the arms (biceps, triceps) and calves. It is injected directly into the muscle, where it causes swelling and enlargement.

Synthol and site injection oils are used by some elite and amateur bodybuilders. Some bodybuilders use it to cosmetically enhance a lagging body part. It looks fake and makes the muscles look smooth, with less muscle separation, hardness and graininess. Injecting large amounts of oil into a particular muscle can be dangerous! Studies have been shown that synthol injections that are used for short-term enhancement of muscle appearance by bodybuilders and others bear the danger of long-term painful muscle fibrosis and disfigurement. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has revealed scattered cystic fatty lesions in the muscle of bodybuilders. When surgically removed and analyzed, histopathology showed inflammatory changes with fibrosis and a so-called Swiss cheese pattern.

There are reports in the literature of complications in patients after injections of paraffin, sesame and walnut oil. Synthol or site-injection oils do not increase muscular strength or performance and are used solely for cosmetic purposes.

Other potential side effects that have been reported include oil embolism, myocardial infarction (heart attacks) cerebral strokes, pulmonary embolism, ulcers, infections, oil-filled cysts, nerve damage, muscle damage and development of scar tissue.

Site injections of synthol or other oils should be restricted and banned from amateur and professional bodybuilding events. Professional and amateur bodybuilders in competitions that are suspected for using synthol or site injections should be penalized. Synthol injections do not build muscles— they destroy them!!

The use and abuse of synthol has increased over the years! I guess there’s a big market. There must be a lot of insecure guys wanting to look big without working hard in the gym. Tragic. You’ve got gurus and companies selling synthol on the Internet. One company that distributes synthol on the Internet advertises that they are “the world’s most advanced, best formulated bodybuilding posing oil on the market! We carry the highest-grade posing oil for bodybuilding competition available on the market. Free shipping to anywhere in the United States on all orders. Don’t be fooled by low-quality products on the Internet. Our product uses the best quality ingredients and we guarantee 100% satisfaction or your money back.” Sad commentary. Anything for a buck, huh?

Also, there is no research in the literature that localized site injections of anabolic steroids in certain body parts such as delts, biceps, triceps or calves will enhance muscle growth in those areas! It’s strictly a cosmetic effect from the oil carrier used in anabolic steroid site injections.

“The glutes are the most injected body part by bodybuilders,” Josh Hodnik from Iron Magazine wrote in his article, “Site Injection Growth – Fact or Myth?” My feeling is if site injections really increased muscle growth, then to quote Josh Hodnik, “ … many bodybuilders would be walking around with an ass the size of Kim Kardashian’s.”

Based on the available research, Josh— I couldn’t agree more.

References:

Ghandourah S, Hofer MJ, et al. Painful muscle fibrosis following synthol injections in a bodybuilder: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports 2012; 6:248. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-6-248.

DiBendetto G, Pierangeli M, et al. Paraffin oil injection in the body: an obsolete and destructive procedure. Ann Plat Surg 2002; 49: 391-396.

Gilcenstein J. The first “fillers,” vaseline and paraffin. From miracle to disaster. Ann Chir Plast Estjet 2007, 52: 157-161.

Pupka A, Sikora J, et al. The usage of synthol in the bodybuilding. Polim Med 2009, 39: 63-65.

Darsow U, Bruckbauer H, et al. Subcutaneous oleomas induced by self-injection of sesame seed oil for muscle augmentation. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000, 42:292-294.

Georgieva J, Assaf C, et al. Bodybuilder oleoma. Br J Dermatol 2003, 149:1289-1290.

Iversen L, Lemcke A, et al. Compression bandage as treatment for ulcers induced by intramuscular self-injection of paraffin oil. Acta derm Venreol 2009, 89: 196-197.

Site Injection Growth – Fact or Myth? Josh Hodnik, Iron Magazine. June 2, 2017.

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