It’s currently estimated that more than three million people in the United States receive dermal fillers each year—and this number is only rising[1].
In fact, while historically treatments like filler and Botox were mostly reserved for older women, today we see people in their teens and 20’s going in for injections. While that alone is a disturbing fact, what makes the rising use of dermal fillers even more concerning is the potential health implications (not to mention the astronomical financial cost).
There’s a whole lot more to the filler story than what we’re told, and while these treatments are often touted as entirely safe, nothing could be farther from the truth.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- What filler is, and why it’s used
- Common reactions to dermal filler
- How the dangerous side effects of filler can show up years, even decades, after initial injection
- The toxic compounds found in dermal filler
- What you can do to reverse the potential harm of filler
- Natural and effective alternatives to filler
What Is Dermal Filler?
Before we jump into the dangers of dermal filler, let’s talk about what this substance is and why it’s become so popular.
Dermal fillers are injections that are used to plump up skin, helping to reduce signs of aging like sagging and wrinkles. As we grow older, our skin naturally loses some of its youthful luster. Filler comes in, quite literally, to fill in the space under our skin that used to appear more full and voluminous. In this way, filler works like a helper to our extracellular matrix, providing the oomph that our natural ECM can no longer offer.
Some of the most common sights of filler injection include cheeks, under eyes, nasolabial folds, and lips. That said, filler can be used almost anywhere on the face and body to enhance plumpness.
On the surface, it sounds like a magic bullet for anti-aging. Got wrinkles and sagging? No problem, we’ll just fill that in. Unfortunately, there is much more than what meets the eye with fillers, and that’s where we’re going next.
The Dangers of Filler
While most doctors will tell you that filler is entirely safe, there are many known and common reactions to filler including skin inflammation, skin growths and nodules, scarring, rash, itching, discoloration, cysts, swelling, facial pain, and skin fibrosis[1][2].
That’s right, those are the known reactions to filler. You can easily find documentation of people dealing with these unwanted side effects, but what we’ll dive into in this article are the longer-term, potentially even more harmful impacts of filler.
Migration Of Filler From Injection Site
One of the most concerning issues that’s coming up around filler is its ability to migrate from the injection site. The premise of filler is that whether you’re using a permanent filler or a more temporary filler (like those made with hyaluronic acid), the filler will stay at the site of injection, providing targeted effects.
Studies are showing, however, that more than half of the time, filler migrates to other areas. Nearly 60% of the time—to be exact[3].
The concern with this migration is two-fold. One, on a more surface level, migrated filler can appear like tumors, cysts, or growths. And two, filler may migrate into your lymphatic system or blood vessels, which is much more concerning.
Why?
Your lymphatic system is critical for helping your body rid itself of toxins and unwanted compounds, and your blood vessels are the mainline for nutrients to travel throughout your body. In your lymph, migrated filler can impair the proper flow of fluids, this could look like blocked lymphatic flow causing eye bags (not exactly a cosmetic upgrade), or and may even create long-term serious issues with lymphatic health. Meanwhile, filler injected on the bridge of the nose may travel to your blood vessels and in some cases has even been shown to cause blindness—an incredibly disturbing side effect[4].
And to make matters even more confusing, studies show that filler migration can show up anywhere from two-weeks post injection to 60 years post injection. You read that right, 60 years[5].
Immune System Reactions
Another concern that’s being raised around filler is its ability to stimulate immune reactions due to your body seeing these substances as foreign bodies.
This can happen immediately after injection, which is when we see reactions like inflammation, swelling, cysts, itching, and discoloration. More concerning, however, is when this reaction happens years after the initial injection.
Studies show that immune system foreign body responses can be triggered by systemic infections, certain medications, immunotherapy for diseases, and more. Simply put, your body can turn against the filler at any time, as it can detect it as a foreign body if your immune system becomes hyperactive[6].
Toxic Byproduct Compounds In Filler
There are several different types of filler that are used, each having its own chemical makeup. Some of the most common examples include polyalkylimide, polyacrylamide, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and hyaluronic acid.
While the overall safety of each of the above varies, each one of these substances has the potential to migrate. That said, research shows that polyalkylimide, polyacrylamide, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) may be of particular concern.
Polyacrylamide is known to be a “safe” option for filler, but research shows that it can break down once injected and liberate free acrylamide. Acrylamide is a known carcinogen, and also carries risks for reproductive and neurological harm. For reference, polyacrylamide injections are meant to last 8 to 10 years—that’s a long time for this substance to hang around your body[7][8][9].
Polyalkylimide is another filler that’s generally regarded as “safe,” but research shows some serious concerns. Specifically, studies of people that were injected with polyalkylimide showed delayed inflammatory responses, the presence of granulomas, skin swelling, and skin hardening[10].
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is often used because it’s inexpensive—but the dangers that come with this type of filler are certainly not worth the slashed price. First, PMMA has been shown to cause hypercalcemia, which is a condition where there’s an influx of calcium in the blood. Too much calcium in the blood can impact several systems, including your heart, brain, bones, and kidneys.
Furthermore, PMMA is also associated with adverse effects on the skin including skin discoloration, haematomas, swelling, tissue necrosis (death of tissue), the formation of nodules, and hypertrophic scarring (raised scars due to collagen formation)[11][12]. And yes, this type of filler is also considered “safe.”
What About Hyaluronic Acid Filler?
Many people assume that using a temporary filler, like those made of hyaluronic acid (HA), is a safe bet. While it’s true that HA is a naturally occurring compound in our bodies, the story changes when it’s injected into your face in mass quantities.
Studies show that high levels of injected HA can travel to the lymphatic system and block lymphatic channels. As mentioned, when we block our lymph it can create short term detoxification issues, and set the stage for long-term lymphatic concerns.
And although HA fillers are meant to only last for several months, evidence suggests that these injections may result in long-term anatomical distortion of facial features—the exact opposite effect that people are looking for when injecting filler[13].
One case report even showed that a HA filler treatment mimicked the development of a tumor[14].
Simply put, even the more natural filler options present a potentially dangerous outcome.
What To Do If You’ve Already Received Filler Injections
If you’ve already received dermal filler and you want to protect yourself against the potential downfalls, there are steps you can take to either dissolve or help detox the filler.
For filler that’s composed of hyaluronic acid, you can ask your doctor for a treatment with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down HA. But this is not shown to 100% dissolve all the filler. Some is likely to remain.
Surgical removal is only necessary if you’re experiencing serious side effects, but if you simply want to get ahead of issues the best step you can take is supporting your natural detoxification pathways to help your body and immune system move unwanted compounds out of your body.
The nutrients in Daily Detox not only support liver function, but they also assist in digestion (removing the liberated toxins from your body). Furthermore, Daily Detox comes equipped with a medicinal mushroom blend to give your immune system a much-needed boost against foreign substances.
Natural Anti-Aging Techniques
Many people find it disappointing to learn about the downsides of filler as this treatment can be very effective in smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. The good news is that dermal filler is not the only way to help turn back the clock on your skin.
Below are a handful of natural and safe techniques for skin anti-aging.
#1 Moisturize Regularly
It sounds simple, but keeping your skin hydrated is one of the most powerful things you can do to protect the luster and youthful appearance of your skin. Using moisturizers and serums help to trap water in your skin, which enhances the look of plumpness and elasticity. As we age, our skin naturally dries out making the signs of aging all the more visible.
Moisturizers can also help protect your skin barrier against environmental insults like air pollution, which stress and age the skin over time[15].
#2 Use Sun Protection
UV rays are one of the primary culprits behind skin aging. When we’re overexposed to the sun, the radiation causes oxidative stress in the deeper layers of our skin, slowly breaking down our skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM acts as a scaffolding for your skin, keeping it taut and firm. When this matrix breaks down, the result is sagging skin that’s more prone to wrinkles.
There is some concern around sunscreens and their toxic ingredients, so look for products that use zinc oxide as their active ingredient (not nano-zinc).
#3 Gua Sha and Face Yoga
Gua sha and face yoga are two different techniques that achieve the same end—stimulating the collagen and muscles in your face for optimal tone. They both help to release tension in the facial muscles that can result in wrinkles, while also toning and tightening the muscles and skin.
An added benefit of gua sha is its ability to help reduce puffiness and increase circulation, whereas face yoga focuses more on muscle tone and tightening. Using both methods together is ideal.
#4 Diet
As is true for every other system in your body, your diet has a direct impact on the health of your skin. Consuming foods that are nutrient-rich and contain antioxidant compounds can help protect your skin from stressors that cause aging like polluted air and UV rays. Consuming an anti-inflammatory diet can also help to improve the overall look and feel of your skin while enhancing skin integrity from the inside-out[16].
The ideal skin-loving diet includes plenty of whole foods with high-quality protein and fat sources. It’s also crucial to become aware of what your body (and skin) doesn’t like. For instance, if you have food intolerances, allergies, or sensitivities, avoiding those particular foods will make a significant difference in the levels of inflammation in your body, which will show up on your skin.
And of course, limiting obvious nutrient-depleting foods like processed food, excess sugar, alcohol, and seed oils will all help to enhance the health and luster of your skin.
#5 Targeted Nutrients
In addition to focusing on a nutrient-rich diet, there are a handful of specific nutrients that can make a world of difference in skin health.
For example, injecting hyaluronic acid may not be the best idea, but this nutrient is absolutely critical for skin hydration. In fact, without enough hyaluronic acid, your skin can’t even hold on to the moisture you provide it with; this nutrient literally binds water and makes your skin more moist[17].
Taking an HA supplement can help to restore your skin’s HA levels without the dangers of migration into the lymph caused by injections.
Another skin-loving nutrient is silica. Silica supports the synthesis of collagen in your skin—the primary protein making up your extracellular matrix. As such, studies show that taking silica can help to improve skin strength and elasticity[18].
And finally, there’s selenium—a powerful antioxidant that can help protect your skin against sun damage, pollution, and other environmental stressors that cause skin aging[19].
Anti-Aging And Detox: The One-Two Punch
If you’ve received filler already, then you’ll benefit the most by leaning on both detoxification and anti-aging nutrients.
While Daily Detox is an excellent supplement for supporting your detox pathways, I created Ageless AF with targeted nutrients to support skin health and help you turn back the clock.
A tailor-made blend of hyaluronic acid, selenium, biotin, and silica—Ageless AF helps to protect your skin from the inside-out, while promoting hydration, firmness, and elasticity. The silica in Ageless AF comes in the Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) form, which is the most bioavailable form of this nutrient, and is the form that’s been studied to directly improve wrinkles.
With a combination of Daily Detox and Ageless AF you can gently begin to release the toxins found in filler while offering your skin the nutrient powerhouses that result in a youthful, glowing complexion.
If you haven’t received any dermal filler and are just looking for a natural way to supercharge your anti-aging routine, Ageless AF is an excellent alternative that will pay dividends in the years to come. No toxins, no stress, just skin-loving nourishment that works from the inside out.
Takeaway
As procedures like Botox and filler injections become increasingly popular and commonplace it can be tempting to want a little injection here and there—but the short term benefits are not worth the long-term dangers. While it may be a quick fix option, the downfalls that come with these highly unnatural treatments are incredibly serious and woefully underreported.
If your goal is to preserve a youthful appearance for as long as possible, the most powerful step you can take is to look at your lifestyle and self-care routines. Consuming a healthy diet, choosing high-quality personal care items, and including targeted nutrients in your daily routine will make a significant difference in your skin’s aging process, with the added benefit of promoting overall wellness and longevity.
Supporting youthfulness from the inside out is truly the gift that will keep on giving.
