Fillers have become a popular solution for combating facial aging, but is it really worth getting carried away with them? Modern research and the experience of dermatologists and plastic surgeons suggest that fillers may cause more harm than good over time. Let’s discuss this in more detail.
What is Filler Fatigue?
Fillers were designed to restore lost volume as we age. However, over the years, it has become clear that they cannot replace surgical procedures like a facelift. Regular filler injections over many years can lead to product buildup in tissues, causing changes in the soft tissues of the face. This process is called "filler fatigue" or "filler burnout." As a result, the face starts to look overloaded, loses its natural appearance, and tissues become less firm and tight.
Why Don’t Fillers Always Work?
Fillers work well for people with firm skin in their 30s and 40s, when the skin still has elasticity. However, ideally, after age 35, one should be more cautious with fillers. For people over 50, where significant tissue sagging has already occurred, fillers can make the face look heavy and unnatural. For example, fillers in the jawline and cheeks often lead to excess volume, giving the face a "puffy" and unnatural look. These changes may be irreversible, even after surgery.
Issues with Under-Eye and Around-the-Mouth Fillers
Under-eye fillers are popular among patients, but if used incorrectly, they can worsen eye bags and make the skin appear looser. The same applies to fillers around the mouth. They can only soften wrinkles but not completely remove them, especially if the wrinkles are caused by the age-related loss of skin elasticity.
"Forgotten" Fillers: Where Do They Go?
Interestingly, fillers don’t always fully dissolve from the tissues. Even years after injections, plastic surgeons often find filler remnants during surgeries. This means that despite the temporary effect of fillers, they can remain in the tissues, accumulate, and cause issues in the future. We know this from MRI studies and practical experience. Here’s an example from the practice of plastic surgeon and creator of the Vertical Restore technique, Dr. Amir Karam:
“I started doing vertical restoration, going into the tissues, and suddenly I see this jelly-like substance oozing out from the tissues around the jawline and cheeks, resembling fresh filler. And since we perform this procedure under local anesthesia, I can ask the patient questions during surgery, and they can give coherent answers. I asked the patient when she last had fillers injected into her face. She replied that it had been about five years ago, but prior to that, she had had many injections. And it was surprising to see fresh filler still in the tissues five years later.”
When Are Fillers Actually Beneficial?
Fillers can be effective for small corrections, such as adding volume to the lips or chin, but it’s important not to overuse them. If there’s significant tissue sagging or a need to address age-related changes, it’s better to consider surgical intervention or other methods.
Conclusion: Should You Continue?
Fillers can be a great solution for correcting minor signs of aging, but their use should be limited. Over time, they can accumulate in the tissues, leading to undesirable changes and even worsening appearance. Before deciding on injections, it’s important to weigh all the risks and consequences and consider alternative options.
Think carefully before going for the next procedure. Perhaps your face is already telling you that it’s time to stop.
It’s important to remember that information about fillers and how to use them is constantly evolving. The key is to make informed decisions and understand the possible consequences. I hope this article helps you make decisions about caring for your face.
If you have any additional questions or want to discuss any topics, feel free to leave comments. I especially look forward to comments from injector cosmetologists and their observations from practice!
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