Plastic surgeon exposes the long-term harm caused by fillers

Surgeon Warns: Fillers Aren’t Just Temporary

A Beverly Hills reconstructive surgeon is calling out a major beauty myth: dermal fillers are not always a quick, temporary fix. While more people are getting fillers than ever, Dr. Kami Parsa warns that these subtle tweaks can cause permanent damage.

“You cannot fill your face to youth,” he says. “Less is more.”

Fillers Promise Youth—but at What Cost?

Fillers are hugely popular in the beauty world. They smooth wrinkles, plump lips, and sculpt faces—offering a non-surgical glow-up. Promoted as safe and reversible, they’ve become a go-to for celebrities and everyday users alike.

But Dr. Parsa says the reality is more complicated. In July 2024, he shared a viral TikTok with 12.4 million views, showing MRI scans of a patient who had received over 12 syringes of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler over six years.

What the Scans Reveal

In the video, green areas on the MRI highlight leftover filler still clumped beneath the skin. Parsa measured nearly 28 cubic centimeters of filler—more than double the amount originally injected.

Why? HA fillers are hydrophilic—they attract and hold water. Over time, this leads to tissue expansion, making filler volumes grow.

“We’ve overused hyaluronic acid fillers for years,” Parsa told Newsweek. “People need to realize that less truly is more.”

Long-Term Effects Aren’t Always Visible—Until They Are

Although marketed as dissolvable within six months to two years, Parsa explains that small amounts can remain for up to 10 years, especially with repeated use. Over time, the filler builds up and causes unexpected effects.

Enter: Pillow Face

Overfilled syndrome, also called pillow face, occurs when too much filler distorts facial features. Instead of youthful, patients end up looking puffy and unnatural.

“We see beautiful patients from around the world who are badly overfilled,” Parsa says.

He shared an image of one woman who needed multiple procedures to correct chronic facial swelling.

How Pillow Face Happens

Parsa outlines three common causes:

Layering fillers: New injections are added before old ones dissolve.
Overcorrection: Too much volume is injected in one session.
Skin stretching: Filler weight stretches the skin over time.

TikTok Reactions: “Injecting Poison”

The video sparked strong reactions:

“It was supposed to last six months,” one user said.
Another wrote: “I got filler once and now it feels like it’s everywhere.”
One viewer commented, “I’ll never get filler or Botox. It feels like injecting poison.”

Final Thoughts

Many people are surprised to learn that fillers may not dissolve completely and can leave lasting clumps. As Dr. Parsa’s message spreads, more are questioning the long-term safety of cosmetic injectables.

Were you aware of these risks? Share your thoughts—and pass this along to start the conversation.