Let's Set The Record Straight - Debunking Dermal Filler Myths

In the last 18 months the aesthetics industry has seen a massive shift towards more regenerative treatments such as Polynucleotides and Exosomes to boost collagen and improve skin integrity. And, although we have welcomed these new kids on the block with open arms, facial dermal fillers remain the OG for addressing concerns such as volume loss (especially more recently with the increasing use of Mounjaro and Ozempic), bony atrophy, deep wrinkles and sagging skin.

With lots of people taking to social media to showcase their dissolving dramas (who doesn't love a name and shame?) dermal fillers have been given a bit of a bad rep, when in reality the issues can be greatly reduced if people were more aware of the potential hazards in the first place. In this blog post we aim to debunk some of the common myths and misconceptions about facial fillers that could lead to confusion, fear and underwhelming treatments.

Myth 1 - All Filler Migrates

Hell No!

Migration is when filler drifts from where it was initially injected. For example, you get filler injected into your lips but the skin around your lips starts to look lumpy or swollen which is a look nobody wants! We can see why people would think this is common given what we are constantly shown on social media but the evidence still tells us that migration is super rare with a rate of only 3%.

Migration happens when filler is placed incorrectly within the skin. Choosing the wrong product for the patient is the biggest cause of unsightly lips. For example, a thicker filler would stick out like a sore thumb on a more mature lady because the skin doesn't have the structural support it once did, so you need to use a product that is flexible and soft to ensure a natural looking result.  We have many tools in our tool box so making sure you see a practitioner who knows the science behind their products is key here.

Overfilling is another biggie....everyones anatomy has limits, bound by ligaments, bony landmarks and facial muscles that are constantly moving. In lay mans terms, the filler doesn't just fit where your injector puts it and can escape into surrounding tissues if your injector doesn't know their anatomy.

Myth 2 - Filler Stretches Your Skin

This is a common misconception and a question that we get asked all the time. You absolutely will not be left looking worse than before should you decide to stop having dermal filler treatments. Over a period of time, the body very slowly and gradually breaks down the hyaluronic acid molecules. Once your body absorbs the filler, should you decide not to continue with future treatments, the skin will simply return to its previous state.

If anything, the skin is likely to look better as the hyaluronic acid will have boosted hydration levels and increased collagen production.

Myth 3 - Will Filler Make My Face Fat?

NO. Your face will not look fat with filler if it is injected by an experienced medical professional using the appropriate technique and volume. While fillers do add volume, when placed strategically, we can actually enhance facial contours, harmonise profiles and create a slimmer more contoured and youthful appearance. We can recreate the triangle of beauty by adding lost volume to hollowing to lift and reflect light which gives an overall more youthful appearance.

Myth 4 - All Filler Looks Fake

The hard and fast answer to this is, they will if you over do it. Our ethos is, we can always tweak and add more if we need to. We always try to encourage our patients to look at this as a journey and not a sprint, which often requires a multi-model approach. For example, we might need to look at the health of your skin and add in some anti-ageing/collagen stimulating skin treatments to improve the quality of your skin so that it showcases any injectable treatment. You wouldn't put fresh paint on your walls before filling in the cracks would you!

Myth 5 - All Dermal Filler Brands Are The Same

All dermal filler brands are not created equally. Dermal filler is made from hyaluronic acid, a natural, water loving molecule that we all naturally have within our skin. However, they differ vastly in terms of longevity, texture and formulation.

Reputable brands invest heavily into clinical research to ensure their formulations are biologically more accepted by the body, and are able to adapt to facial movement thereby reducing the risk of potential side effects and giving much more natural results. At SO Aesthetics we use Teoxane fillers, a Swiss pharmaceutical company who heavily invest in the technology and clinical research of their products. We have even visited their lab in Geneva, it's something else!

The UK aesthetics industry is worth around £3.2 billion a year and unfortunately, with big money comes greed! The issue of counterfeit dermal filler is rising due to the accessability and price and can be a huge risk to people. Some cheaper fillers, like acrylamide and silicone, can stay in the skin forever. They are difficult and sometimes impossible to reverse causing inflammatory reactions that can be disfiguring. SO, don't be afraid to ask your injector what dermal filler they are using and where it came from. SO Aesthetics only buy medicines and fillers from registered UK pharmacies which are FDA approved and CE marked and comply with rigorous health, safety and environmental protection standards set by regulatory bodies.

Myth 6 - Just Another Syringe And I'll Be Happy

Unfortunately, as humans, we are at risk of 'perception drift' at times. For example, we fix a flaw and are satisfied with the outcome, but down the line feel that another flaw needs to be fixed or that we are back at baseline and need to have more filler/treatments. It is important not fall into this cycle as it can lead to overfilling, filler unevenness, and migration.

At SO Aesthetics, we sometimes have to say "No" much the the annoyance of some of our lovely patients! This is because we are bound by a code of professional conduct and have a duty of care. If we think that you don't need a treatment or procedure and that it is going to create an undesirable result or that the risk does not outweigh the benefit, we won't do it. However, we will always explain the reasons why, ensuring our patients leave feeling well looked after and beautiful as they are!

SO, to summarise - the practitioner holding the needle will make or break your results. Having an experienced, medical injector is essential for your overall safety and results since we are the ones that are going to look after you if any complications happen.

To book a consultation with one of our medical team call us on 01905 969798