In our three-part series,The Filler Files,Allureexplores our relationship with facial filler.
What does this mean for our lips, our cheeks, and our approach to injectables?
Reliable intel, nonetheless.
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And make no mistake: Countless men and women are walking around with gluts of filler under their skin.
There are tons of doctors doing 10 syringes at a time, she tells us.
The problem can be more than skin-deep, affecting both the look of the face and its functionality.
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Its so common that theres a term for it: filler fatigue.
Indeed, a common refrain among cosmetic providers is that theyre spending more time dissolving filler than injecting it.
Whats behind the about-face?
Or a complication will clue them in, as they notice their fillermigratingor swelling.
The filler becomes oppressive, a burden.
So whats all this filler doing to our faces?
Overdone or poorly placed filler can muck up the mechanics of a face.
Filler can also integrate with our tissues over time.
In small quantities, its no big deal.
It may just make certain layers of the face stronger and slicker, notes Dr. Devgan.
(He describes the concept in a newstudypublished in theAesthetic Surgery Journal.)
In the lips, it can lend a flaccid, low-hanging look.
The consequences of this distension will be more dramatic in those whove been grossly overfilled for many years.
What happens when you stop getting filler?
Patients who were filled normally shouldnt have any issues.
The filler either sits around harmlessly or slowly metabolizes over time, says Dr. Talei.
Appropriate amounts of filler do not cause this problem, Dr. Talei reassures us.
It is more likely seen when excess amounts are placed [for] over a year.
A portion of it does integrate and its extremely challenging to remove every drop.
But she stresses that this isnotsomething to fear.
Their tissues are also more resilient with a greater healing capacity.
But how much filler is reasonable in the lips department?
It depends on your individual starting point the undoctored size and shape of your lips.
For lips, I very seldom do more than half a cc at once, Dr. Levin says.
And I dont have people come back [for touch-ups] at a specific time period.
We leave it open-ended.
Filler migration is common here because the muscle encircling the mouth is in near-constant motion.
Alternatively, patients may choose to melt lip filler with hyaluronidase to take control of the process.
Many people dissolve without issue and dont require any follow-up, says Dr. Talei.
As with other parts of the face, nanofat or PRP injections may also help repair damaged tissues.
Try refining your complexion with a proven rig or getting a subtle volume increase from collagen-stimulating Sculptra.
Dont lean on hyaluronic acid exclusively.
Ultimately, all procedures have limitations and respecting them can keep you looking undone through the years.
Happily, the choice is yours.
Check back for the third installment of our three-part series,The Filler Files.
Read more on injectables:
Watch a dermatologist explain how hand fillers work:
