Why are dermal fillers so popular? Most patients are attracted to fillers for two main reasons:
- They are unhappy with the way their appearance has changed with age. Fillers correct volume loss and smooth wrinkles throughout the face, which can take years off the face. Typical treatments with anti-ageing fillers include: tear trough filler and cheek or chin fillers.
- They are unhappy with their natural facial features and want to subtly improve or change their appearance in a non-invasive way. Classic examples include liquid nose jobs and lip fillers.
In the hands of an experienced injector, you can achieve both goals with minimal side effects.
Unfortunately, some people end up with asymmetrical results or over-filled facial features that scream, "You had work done!"
As demand for volume-enhancing injectables has increased in recent years, so have instances of "pillow face" and "trout pout".
Overfilled results can distort natural facial contours and create a less natural look than you had hoped.
However, there's no need to panic. In today's blog, you'll learn why filler injections can turn out badly. We will also explain how we diagnose the problem at our medical aesthetics clinic and how you can fix poor filler results.
But first:
Unsatisfactory results vs. unwanted side effects.
Keep in mind that an unsatisfactory result and unwanted side effects are two completely different things!
Mild reactions such as swelling, bruising or redness are normal and usually subside within a week after treatment with filler.
However, side effects such as a change in vision, blue discolouration of the skin, or pain may be signs of something much more concerning, such as vascular occlusion. If you suspect that you are experiencing an adverse effect from filler, you should consult a doctor.
Related: Are dermal fillers safe? Risks & long-term side effects of injectables
Now let us find out why a filler treatment can make you look "fake," create a "botched" look, or lead to other unsatisfactory results.
- Too much concentration on one area
Good results require an eye for aesthetics - the ability to examine your facial features and understand how injecting in one area changes the balance in the rest of your face.
This is more complex than just picking up a needle and injecting away. A qualified filler specialist will consider the balance of your facial features in relation to the area that is affected.
For example, if a patient complains of nasolabial folds, injecting a large amount of filler exclusively into these smile lines could lead to an unsatisfactory result. Instead, the filler may need to be strategically injected into the appropriate areas around the mouth and cheeks. This improves the overall contour of the area, provides support and rebuilds lost volume that contributes to a sagging appearance in the lower face.
- Attempting to achieve surgical-level results with injectables.
The reality is that non-surgical treatments such as fillers and Botox have come a long way. That said they are yet tomatch the overly drastic results of surgery.
It may not be possible to treat excess sagging skin or very deeply etched wrinkles with dermal fillers. An experienced and transparent injector will not offer an unsatisfactory treatment with injectables to a patient who desires a greater change than injectables can provide. He will openly tell the patient what fillers can and cannot do.
If the realistic result of dermal fillers proves insufficient for the patient, it is time to consider alternatives. Often this involves a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss a more aggressive range of cosmetic treatments.
- Using the wrong injectable product
It is not the product, but the skill and experience of the injector that will have the greatest impact on your outcome. However, you should make sure that your injector knows how to choose the right products for the area they are treating!
If you search on Google for types of dermal fillers, you will come across a variety of options. Each product is designed for a specific problem and area of the face. Fillers have different densities that make them more suitable for some applications than others. For example, using a softer, thinner filler to lift the chin or cheeks is a waste of the patient's time and money. It is unlikely to achieve the desired cosmetic result.
This is not to say that dermal fillers cannot be used for treatments other than those specified by regulatory bodies or manufacturers. In fact, most non-surgical treatments using fillers fall into a category known as "off-label use".
Because doctors have numerous years of medical training, they are intimately familiar with the anatomy of the face. Based on this knowledge, it is common for aesthetic physicians and plastic surgeons to extrapolate information from a clinical trial and apply it to a new use scenario.
However, the key words are "deeply versed in facial anatomy".
An unqualified or inexperienced injector could use an inappropriate filler and compromise the quality of your dermal filler results.
Disappointed By Your Filler Results? How to fix lousy dermal filler results
If you've received a bad result, it's essential you find an injector who can evaluate the cause of the problem and help you correct it.
How do you choose a qualified, experienced injector? We have written an entire post on that exact topic.
You can read it here: How to Choose the Right Doctor for Your Filler.
At Dr Aesthetica, we have helped many patients with injectable correction. If you are disappointed with dermal filler results from other injectors, here are some of the ways we can rectify the issue:
1. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers can be dissolved with Hyalase
When you have too much filler injected into your face, it can appear lumpy or leave your dermal filler results looking "off".
We will use the enzyme hyaluronidase to dissolve the filler. After the enzyme injection, it takes about 24-48 hours to dissolve the filler.
In case you desire to redo the treatment, this allows us a clean slate to do a proper injection that will achieve your desired results.
But this only works if you use a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler such as Intraline®, Juvéderm® and Restylane®.
2. Artful reinjection can give you an excellent result
Even if we cannot dissolve your existing filler, there are artful ways to use filler and BOTOX® to adjust the overall contour and draw attention to certain areas of your face. An expert injector like Dr Baldeep Farmah will be able to handle reinjections artfully, achieving an excellent aesthetic outcome in many cases
Final Thoughts
While every treatment will be unique based on the patient's needs and situation, we hope this has restored your confidence in dermal filler treatments.
One or two bad apples in the industry are not a reflection on all of us.
With some diligence, you'll find an injector who's ethical, transparent and qualified use to enhance your features, rebuild facial volume, and ultimately help you look like your best self:
Visit Dr Aesthetica in Birmingham, UK, for injectable filler, BOTOX®, and other non-surgical and surgical options. Or book your consultation today online or by calling 0121 769 0242.
