FACT OR FICTION: Aesthetic Myths and Misconceptions

By Katie Keel, APRN-C

Filler looks fake or filler will make me look like a different person

Filler in the right injector’s hands will leave you looking refreshed and rejuvenated, not fake or puffy or the dreaded “filler face”. A saying we use at MidState is that we don’t want you to look “different” we want you to look like a “better” version of yourself – whatever “better” means to you. This can include appearing less tired, reduced dark circles, fewer shadows, cheeks where they used to be, fuller lips, and all around rejuvenated! Your treatment and results will be customized to your unique face, not a one size fits all approach.

“I’m too young for Botox and fillers.”

Like the saying goes – “An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure”. This is also true with injectables. Keeping up the volume in your face that you inevitably lose, sustaining the collagen in your skin that starts to decrease in your 20s and maintaining a refreshed appearance is not about “changing your face”, but keeping it as it is or getting it to back where it used to be! So when should you start? Whenever you notice any lines, wrinkles, hollowing or volume loss that bothers you! There is no “magic” age to start or one size fits all approach. We all have different genetics and lifestyle factors (sun exposure, smoking, etc) so don’t compare the age you start and treatments you get to what your friends are doing. What is right for you might not be right for them!

Aesthetic “tweakments” are like saving for retirement – start when it doesn’t seem necessary, when you are younger and soon as signs of aging are starting to bother you. If you wait until you are “old enough” to start – it could be more costly and difficult to achieve the desired effect.

Filler will stretch out the skin

False! Yes I have seen the click bait articles and headlines too… “I got fillers and now my face is ruined and all stretched out.” Dermal fillers are used mainly to replace lost volume (bone and fat) that happens as we age. This means the skin has already had volume under it and we are just replacing it. Not to call the patient in this article a liar but arguably the existing the laxity/loose skin of the face was the reason the individual in the article sought out injectables in the first place. And as those fillers dissolved and resorbed naturally over time, the patient went back to the way they were before injectables and the patient was left with the original hollowness, wrinkles and laxity that they were warding off with fillers in the first place. A reputable injector using licensed products is extremely safe and effective without risk of damage to the skin.

Botox/Dysport and fillers are the same thing

Although both are injectables that make you look refreshed they are entirely different products that have entirely different actions and results. Botox and Dysport are what we call neuromodulators – they relax muscles that cause dynamic/movement lines such as the 11’s between your eyebrows, horizontal forehead lines and the crow’s feet that radiate from the corners of your eyes. Filler adds volume, support, and structure to the face. An easy way to remember (although there are caveats to this) is that Botox/Dysport treats lines and wrinkles at the level of your eyes up and filler treats wrinkles from your eyes down.

One treatment will fix everything

Wouldn’t that be nice if one treatment could! Aging doesn’t happen overnight (although it might seem that way) so unfortunately one treatment doesn’t reverse years of facial volume loss and wear and tear on the skin. Botox/Dysport and fillers are not permanent and your body will break them down over time so they do require maintenance. I know we love the thought of “one and done” but keep in mind permanent treatments can have permanent repercussions and therefore “permanent” is not always better. Aging is multifaceted and therefore requires multiple approaches to get the desired result. This may include Botox/Dysport, filler, laser, collagen stimulating treatments and medical grade skincare.

Injectables are a painful process

Fear of pain should not be a reason for you to avoid injectable treatments. Most patients say that injectable treatments are like a quick pinch and are completely tolerable. Although a needle is used, it is very small and we have prescription grade numbing ointment to help take the edge off. Fillers have lidocaine numbing in them so as soon as the treatment starts it becomes even more comfortable.ointment to help take the edge off. Fillers have lidocaine numbing in them so as soon as the treatment starts it becomes even more comfortable.

Lips will be huge after 1 syringe of lip filler

Fun fact! Lips are unique to you just like a fingerprint (lip prints have even been used as evidence in criminal cases because of this distinctiveness.) All lip goals are different and there are treatment plans for the look you desire. Some patients desire a more plump look, other patients want the lips they used to have and some patients want to ward off those pesky perioral/smoker/lipstick lines. As time goes by we lose volume in our faces and lips are no different. This volume loss over time contributes to an aging and tired appearance. Your first syringe of lip filler is placed strategically to hydrate the lips and soften the formation of vertical lines around the mouth. This treatment will give your lips that youthful, structured shape you used to have and love!

Once you start you will be unable to stop.

Another false! If you decide to stop Botox/Dysport and fillers at any time you will just gradually go back to the way you used to look. Lines that were softened or even erased thanks to injectables, will begin to reappear. To which I would say why would you want to stop a good thing?

“I want to age gracefully!”

Aging with Botox/Dysport and fillers IS aging gracefully – otherwise you are just aging. You might color your gray hairs, have a nice purse or car, get your nails done, have a personal trainer, do your makeup, wear a nice outfit – why not maintain, take care of, and enhance the features of your face? With the right injector, you can either maintain, or age in reverse as we like to say at MidState, while still looking like yourself and therefore age gracefully.

MidState Skin Institute