In the world of non-invasive aesthetic treatments, injectables reign supreme. And while Botox may be the king of the castle, fillers continue to grow in popularity. But, despite this, the belief that fillers “look unnatural” or “will be obvious” is widespread – googling the term yields no shortage of fear-mongering content. There are plenty of scary before and afters out there, and we’re all familiar with the photos of ‘duck lips’ or ‘chipmunk cheeks’ of well-known celebrities that are often shown in the media.

So why do fillers still have this bad rap – and should you let it put you off treatment? Here are my thoughts.

First things first, what are fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable treatments used to plump lines and wrinkles caused by movement, restore volume loss, boost collagen, and address general signs of skin ageing. They can be injected into various areas of the face and body, including the cheeks, lips, temples, tear troughs (under-eyes), neck and hands. The most commonly used filler products are made from hyaluronic acid, which acts like a sponge, holding vast amounts of water and plumping the skin.

As you age, your body’s natural hyaluronic acid levels deplete – along with elastin and collagen – resulting in lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Very light hyaluronic acid ‘fillers’ – injectable skin boosters like Volite, Viscoderm Hydrobooster or Profhilo – use the thinnest, most spreadable gel and provide a hydrating boost to the skin’s texture. They’re excellent for fine lines and skin that needs a glow–up, as well as crow’s feet lines or upper lip lines because they’re an easy way to target these areas and provide natural results.

Thicker hyaluronic acid fillers can be used to replace lost volume, contour or shape in the face. They use a stronger gel, which is ideal for correcting bone resorption (when facial bones deteriorate), fat loss and skin sagging. They can be used to anchor the chin and jawline, restore mid-face volume and replace lost volume in the upper face.

Used well, fillers can beautify the face and restore what you probably hadn’t even realised was lost.

Why do fillers have a bad reputation?

I wouldn’t actually say that fillers have a bad reputation. I think there are many misconceptions surrounding them, but I also think the public view on fillers is gradually changing.

The problem is that we have all seen unnatural-looking filler results. We all know of someone who has clearly had something done, and this puts people off having treatment themselves. They fear that they too will look strange or unnatural or that other people will look at them strangely and question what they’ve done to their face.

But actually, we only notice these types of results. The good work looks so lovely and natural that it goes unremarked and unnoticed. It’s the bad work that gets all the attention. And this ‘bad work’ is usually carried out by people who shouldn’t be injecting in the first place – people without the qualifications, skills, training, and artistic eye that you need to get a good result.

So when you’re choosing a practitioner for your aesthetic treatments, seek out an experienced medical practitioner with great reviews and plenty of examples of previous work. It isn’t the paint or the brush but the painter who creates a masterpiece.

Taking a holistic approach is key

Dermal fillers have a huge variety of benefits, but it’s also essential to keep in mind that they won’t fix everything – and attempting to do so by injecting more and more can look strange and unnatural. A good practitioner will have a variety of treatment modalities, from skincare and skin quality treatments like HydraFacial to Profhilo, Mesotherapy Ultrasound Skin Tightening and RF microneedling. They will combine treatment modalities based on your goals and concerns. Treatment planning is bespoke, individualised, and no one treatment is suitable for everyone.

Are you ready to start your treatment journey? Click here to book a consultation with an experienced practitioner.