Filler fatigue simply refers to the undesirable consequences of dermal filler overuse. This occurs when repeated over-injection of fillers into problem areas stretches your skin. After the effects of fillers wear off, it can leave you with looser or droopier skin than before. So by the time you get another filler injection and their effects wear off, your skin will sag even more.  Facial Surgery may be a solution.

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Cause of Filler Fatigue

Filler fatigue, also known as filler exhaustion, is a result of the repeated use of injectable fillers over an extended period of time. This can cause your skin to appear doughy and looser than it was before dermal filler treatments. In most cases, you will develop filler fatigue if the amount of filler that is injected into your skin is increased with every touch-up treatment. As a result, the treatment accentuates the signs of skin ageing rather than reduce the appearance of these skin concerns.

Signs of Filler Fatigue

Not all dermal fillers are equal because they have different physical properties. In addition, they are area-specific and application-sensitive since different facial areas require different types and concentrations. The excessive use of fillers can have a detrimental effect on your overall facial appearance. Signs of filler fatigue include pillow face, sunset eyes, and trout pout, as well as, a pointy and overly sharp chin.

How to Prevent/Reduce Filler Fatigue

Injecting to key points in the face can create a lifting effect that rejuvenates your appearance making you look both younger and more vibrant. Furthermore, this technique helps prevent you from getting the facial puffiness that we associate with filler overuse.

It is important that your practitioner focuses on keeping filler injections proportionate to the rest of your face to avoid filler fatigue. In general, injecting 1 to 2 mL of high-quality dermal filler will help achieve the results you want while reducing your risk of getting filler fatigue.

FAQs about Filler Fatigue

What is filler fatigue?

  • The term “filler fatigue” refers to the repetitive usage of filler injections which causes your skin to look doughy and looser than it was before dermal filler treatments.
  • It can be compared to a balloon that is filled with as much air as possible, then the air is released to deflate it. When you fill the balloon with air again, you will notice that it becomes loose and saggy – this is what happens to your skin when you get fillers repeatedly.

How can filler fatigue be prevented?

  • Injecting fillers into key spots on the face can help achieve younger-looking skin without putting too much stretching effect on the area. Moreover, this technique prevents you from getting facial puffiness that we associate with filler overuse.
  • For best results, the injector should only inject between 1 to 2 mL of high-quality dermal filler into the target area to reduce your risk of getting filler fatigue.
  • Moreover, make sure that your dermal filler practitioner has the correct qualifications.
    • Correct qualifications and significant experience in the field of cosmetic injections in order to achieve the results you desire in the safest way possible.

Can filler cause fatigue?

  • Unfortunately, Dermal fillers have multiple possible side effects, such as Bruising, swelling, lumpiness, infection, redness, and inflammation.
  • Aside from these unwanted outcomes, fillers can also stretch your skin leaving you with a pillow face, sunset eyes, trout pout, and pointy and overly sharp chin.
  • This condition is called filler fatigue.

Do fillers make the skin sag?

  • As you become older, your skin loses its capacity to generate adequate amounts of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. All of these substances are essential for skin elasticity, hydration, and skin cell renewal.
  • This aging process causes fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of facial volume.
  • If you undergo filler injections repeatedly, it can accentuate the signs of skin ageing because the process can make your skin sag more.
  • With repeat injections, your skin stretches and requires more fillers to achieve the same results.
  • Then, once the effects of the fillers wear off, you can develop doughy and looser skin.
  • This condition is what we call filler fatigue.

Are more fillers the best option?

  • While fillers may be a great option for reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and sunken facial areas, unfortunately, they will not stop your body from ageing.
  • If you put too much filler in your face to try and make up for the ageing process, it can cause your skin to appear doughy and looser than it was before dermal filler treatments.
  • This condition is what we call filler fatigue. So, what this means is that more filler is not always the best option.
  • For best results, you should opt for between 1 to 2 mL of high-quality dermal filler to be injected into problem areas of your face.

Do fillers look better over time?

  • As your body processes hyaluronic acid, which is one of the main ingredients in dermal fillers and is also a naturally-occurring substance in your body responsible for skin hydration, healthy collagen and elastin continue to form at a faster rate.
  • As a result, you will notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of your skin. Furthermore, over time, the results of dermal fillers will continue to improve.

Do I have to sleep on my back after fillers?

  • After dermal filler treatment, sleep on your back using two pillows to elevate your head, this helps ensure that the new filler remains in place.
  • This also helps prevent putting tension on the treatment area.
  • Another approach is to use a wraparound neck pillow to keep your head stable.

Can jawline filler go wrong?

  • Yes.
  • Like all cosmetic procedures, Dermal fillers have certain risks and complications, including;
    • Acne-like skin eruptions
    • Asymmetry
    • Bleeding from the injection site
    • Bruising
    • Infection at the injection site
    • Itching
    • Lumpy appearance under the skin that may require surgery or medicine to fix
    • Migration of the filler away from the original treatment area
    • The palpability of the filler under the skin surface
    • Skin necrosis (ulceration or loss of skin due to impaired blood circulation)
    • Skin rashes and/or skin redness
    • Swelling
    • Under or over-correction of wrinkles
    • Unfavorable scarring

What do you do when you have too many fillers?

  • If you have too much filler, there are options when it comes to addressing the problem.
  • For instance, injectable enzymes can break down hyaluronic acid fillers and transform them into water. This reverses the effects of the filler without having to undergo drastic surgical procedures.
  • The skin naturally breaks down hyaluronic acid fillers so another option is to wait 6 to 12 months until the effects of fillers have completely worn off.
  • If, however, the effects of the fillers cannot be corrected with the injection of enzymes, surgery may be needed to address skin problems that are a result of too much filler.

How long before fillers take full effect?

  • Keep in mind that fillers might take up to two weeks to fully settle.
  • If you’re not happy with the results after that time, contact your practitioner for a follow-up consultation.

Do fillers look natural?

  • Yes. The results of dermal fillers are natural since this treatment makes use of a naturally-occurring substance in your body (hyaluronic acid) to fill in sunken areas.
  • This substance helps lock in moisture to your skin and stimulates the production of both collagen and elastin.
    • Collagen helps maintain the structures of the skin
    • Whereas, elastin is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity.

What happens if you stop fillers?

  • If you stop fillers, your skin will start to show signs of ageing.
  • The fine lines, creases, and hollow areas will become more noticeable as you lose volume and fullness on your face.

Do you need less filler over time?

  • The treated areas will appear less filled as the effects of the filler wear off. However, there will most likely be some filler left over, resulting in a more filled or plumper region if the same amount of filler is injected again.
  • If this is done repeatedly, the treated areas may become overfilled. This can lead to the development of filler fatigue.

Do fillers ruin your face?

  • These substances can induce allergic responses, infections, and skin cell death.
  • Another danger is that poor injection technique can cause not just swelling and lumpiness, but also adverse effects such as blood clots in the lungs and heart problems.
  • With regard to your facial area, dermal filler injections can lead to either asymmetry or unevenness of the facial structures.

Should you drink water after fillers?

  • Because dermal fillers absorb water and provide volume, you can drink plenty of water after undergoing filler injections.
  • Proper hydration helps promote the production of new hyaluronic acid over time.
  • Hyaluronic acid plays a major role in maintaining proper hydration by locking moisture into your skin.

How long after having lip fillers can you give oral?

  • It’s best to wait until the injection sites have healed.
  • As you heal, it is best to avoid anything that rubs against your mouth, this includes both kissing and oral sex.
  • In addition, you should avoid smoking, sucking on a straw, and hot foods to achieve the best result.

Do fillers make you age faster?

  • Fillers are an excellent choice if you want a softer, more youthful appearance.
  • However, on the other hand, they may have long-term detrimental effects if use is incorrect or excessive.
  • Incorrect use can hasten the aging process causing you to look older. This condition is known as filler fatigue wherein the repeated use of injectable fillers over a long period of time causes your skin to appear doughy and looser than it was before dermal filler treatments.

Does massaging filler break it down?

  • Yes, massage can help the filler break down more quickly, however, improving the outcomes of your dermal filler can take weeks of regular massage.
  • After the treatment, you will receive specific instructions on how to massage the treatment area.

What age should you get fillers?

  • If you want to undergo a dermal filler treatment to address signs of skin ageing, you can start as early as your mid-20s.
  • Around the age of 26, your body begins to lose bone and collagen, so it’s a good idea to start getting maintenance injections to treat current wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles from forming.
  • You’ll need less product if you start early rather than waiting until your mid-50s.
  • Before the treatment, you will undergo an assessment to determine whether dermal fillers are right for you.

How long can someone use dermal fillers and still see desirable results?

  • The effect they have depends on several factors such as the severity of the wrinkles, genetics, skincare regimen, and environment.
  • In general, you can undergo dermal filler treatments and still see desirable results when you are in your 40s or 50s.
  • Depending on the type of dermal fillers, the effects of the treatment can last around three to five years.
  • Its also important to remember that the effects of dermal fillers can vary from patient to patient.

What is overfilled face syndrome?

  • Overfilled face syndrome is defined as the excessive increase in the volume of the middle face, forehead, nose, and chin.
  • This condition is common after multiple filler injections.
  • A lot of factors can lead to the development of this condition such as incorrect placement of dermal fillers, poor selection of filler products, and too much administration of the fillers in order to achieve dramatic results.
  • The facial distortion caused by overfilled face syndrome can be exaggerated when you make facial expressions and movements.

Are there alternatives to fillers?

  • If you’re concerned about dermal fillers or if you have already had some injected in your facial area and do not want to undergo the treatment again, you do have other options.
  • First, you can try lifestyle modifications and home remedies such as using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, using creams that contain retinol or vitamin C, avoiding smoking, increasing your water intake, and avoiding putting too much pressure on your face (e.g. sleeping on your back). These strategies will help prevent the appearance of new wrinkles but will not completely eliminate them.
  • Another option is to undergo minimally invasive treatments such as; laser skin rejuvenation, radiofrequency skin-tightening treatments, chemical peels, and micro needling.
    • However, if you have severe skin sagging, you may need to undergo a surgery known as a facelift.
    • This procedure reduces signs of skin ageing in your face and/or neck by removing excess fat, skin, and/or muscle.
    • It also repositions your facial structures to achieve a relaxed, youthful appearance.