Can fillers make you look older?
“Filler fatigue” refers to the notion that overuse or long-term use of fillers can lead to a puffy or strangely out-of-proportion appearance—a.k.a. “pillow face.” It may also lead to a stretched, doughy look in the skin where filler has dissolved.
This concept keeps gaining traction, most recently with rumors surrounding celebrities like Ariana Grande and Kylie Jenner, who are known for their youthful looks but have faced speculation about their changing facial appearances due to alleged overuse of fillers.
Here, our double-board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brannon Claytor, who performs many facial plastic surgeries, as well as non-surgical injectables like dermal filler, addresses these rumors and provides a professional medical perspective on how fillers impact the aging process.
What fillers are for
Dermal fillers have a gel-like consistency, and they are designed to lay beneath the skin where injected to add volume, smooth out wrinkles, or enhance facial contours. Fillers are made from substances like hyaluronic acid, which naturally occurs in the body and helps keep skin plump and hydrated. When administered correctly, this cornerstone anti-aging treatment should offer a natural-looking enhancement. However, they gradually dissolve over time—after approximately 6-18 months, depending on the formula.
The rumors of “filler fatigue” highlight the importance of professional expertise when it comes to anti-aging treatments.
Your injector’s aesthetic taste & medical judgment is key
The key to avoiding a puffy or aged appearance with filler brands such as Juvéderm, Restylane, Bellafill, or RHA fillers lies in professional judgment and moderation. When overused or improperly placed, filler may create unnatural proportions or diminish the natural facial qualities that contribute to a youthful appearance. It’s essential for injectors to understand the anatomy of the face and how to achieve balance and harmony with fillers. You also want an injector who is going to be honest with you and tell you “no” if your appreciation of the filler transformation leads you to ask for more before it is appropriate to refresh your injections.
At Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery, all injectables are performed by Main Line plastic surgeon Dr. Claytor or Physician Assistant Julie Holesh, whose advanced training in facial anatomy and physiology allows them to achieve outstanding, natural-looking outcomes while avoiding unfortunate instances of poor results that many celebrities are criticized for.
“Dr. Claytor is an amazing doctor-compassionate, kind, supportive, knowledgeable and warm. The highest rating, the 5 Star, can’t convey how great I felt being in his care with his Team. He is skillful. He inspires confidence. He knows what he is doing; great results! Highly recommend him!”
—5-star Google review
Reversing too much filler
If you have received too much filler with a hyaluronic acid-based formula, then the filler can be dissolved, to an extent, with injections of an enzyme called hyaluronidase. However, it can take many sessions of reverse injections to fully return to your “before” state, so only undergo filler with an injector you can trust to give you natural-looking results—thoroughly check their credentials, reviews and before-and-after photos beforehand.
Fillers aren’t the only effective anti-aging procedure
If you want to fight aging without surgery, you have many safe, effective options beyond dermal filler. Botox, a neuromodulator rather than a filler, is the #1 injectable of all time for good reason—its effects are predictable, and in the hands of a skilled injector, it can deliver amazing anti-aging results in the upper face. Dysport and Daxxify are two Botox alternatives that work to address wrinkles in a similar way. In addition, at-home professional skincare and daily SPF application are the foundation of aging gracefully. We also offer many other topical skin treatments that can provide outstanding anti-aging results with regular use, including laser treatments, Morpheus8 RF microneedling, IPL photofacials, chemical peels, Hydrafacial MD, and dermaplaning.
“I had a great experience using Daxxify with Julie. My eyebrow and forehead lines have disappeared and there was a noticeable difference within 24 hours.”
—5-star Google review
Reputable injectors will encourage you to use a range of complementary anti-aging treatments, as treating not just volume loss but also dynamic wrinkles and overall skin texture is key to an ageless appearance.
The bottom line: Choose an experienced medical injector
Celebrities like Ariana Grande and Kylie Jenner bring visibility to these discussions, but it’s essential to remember that each individual’s experience with fillers will vary. Consulting with an expert injector like Dr. Claytor or Julie and getting a personalized treatment plan is crucial to achieving your desired outcome while maintaining a natural appearance.
Dr. R. Brannon Claytor is an award-winning plastic surgeon and a highly sought-after choice for both surgical and non-surgical treatments in Bryn Mawr, Main Line, and beyond.
If you are looking for a trusted aesthetic medical team in the Philadelphia area, call us at 610-527-4833 to schedule a consultation!
