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With review and feedback from CEENTA oculoplastic surgeon Catherine Cuite, MD (SouthPark)
Cosmetic fillers are a great way to naturally restore lost volume and rejuvenate your face. They are injected especially where you need extra volume. But as the old saying goes, you can have too much of a good thing.
Cosmetic fillers are injectables that are used to fill areas of volume loss. At CEENTA, our doctors use fillers that are made of hyaluronic acid, which is very similar to molecules that are found naturally in human tissue. When injected into the skin, they help restore volume, plump up lips and smooth out wrinkles.
People who get too much filler in their cheeks can experience something called “pillow cheeks,” in which the fillers eliminate the natural junction between their cheeks and eyelids. Not only do the cheeks look too large, but it can make the eyes look smaller, CEENTA facial plastic surgery specialist Catherine Cuite, MD. This is known as “sunset eyes” or “pillow eyes.” Patients who fill their cheeks to the neglect of other areas will look distorted and out of proportion.
People often ask for fillers in their nose so they will have a higher and slimmer nose bridge. The problem is, fillers spread naturally through the body, and too many fillers in the nose can spread sideways and broaden the nose bridge. This is known as “Avatar nose,” since these noses resemble those of the aliens from “Avatar.” This problem is especially common if a filler that is too thin is used in this delicate area.
Overfilled lips are probably the most recognizable cases of people getting too many cosmetic fillers. While plump lips are considered attractive, overly plumped ones are disproportionately large, and are often described by the term “duck lips.” Again, having a skilled and experienced injector can help you make good decisions regarding the thickness of the filler you choose and how it is used.
There are options if you did get too much filler. First, injectable enzymes can dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers and turn them to water. In some cases, a minimally-invasive skin tightening procedure can help. In rare cases, though, surgery may be necessary.
There can be consequences beyond not looking as natural as you’d like immediately after the procedure. Over time, too many fillers can stretch out the tissues under the skin. Since the tissue won’t recover after stretching, it can, ironically enough, make you look older than you are.
A trained facial plastic surgeon, like those at CEENTA, will ensure you get just the right amount of fillers to supplement your natural beauty. It is critical that the filler thickness or properties match the area that you are treating and that injection techniques are tailor-made for each area, Dr. Cuite said. Professionals like ours usually have a gallery of before-and-after photos, so you can see the results of their work firsthand. Ask your provider about their experience and have a thorough consultation before any procedure is performed so you know exactly what your doctor plans to do and why.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. New patients can make an appointment online with any of our facial plastic specialists in North and South Carolina. Current patients can also make appointments through myCEENTAchart with physicians they have already seen.
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