Alice Hart-Davis detailed her journey in an article for The Tweakments Guide, where she documented her surprising MRI results.

The MRI Results: What She Found

Instead of her body naturally absorbing the filler, as Alice had been told, it actually increased in volume by over 300%. Scientifically, this makes sense. The filler injected is not natural HA and not everyone’s body will absorb the filler in its altered state. These chemically altered fillers are specifically engineered to be hydrophilic, they love water and are designed to expand. Fortunately for Alice, her filler was well placed. She was not “over-injected” and her filler was placed in the correct tissue plane, leaving her satisfied with her long term effects and appearance. 

What You Should Know Before Getting Filler

If you’re considering hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers, here are some key long-term effects to keep in mind for facial enhancement:

1. Fillers Stretch Facial Tissue: Hyaluronic acid fillers cause an expansion of the skin tissue by increasing its volume. This expansion is a natural outcome of injecting filler into the skin, but overdoing it or trying to fix every small imperfection can lead to undesirable effects over time. 
2. Fillers Can Cause Scar Tissue Formation: Dermal Fillers, Sculptra and PDO threads cause scarring under the skin. This can clog up the lymphatic system and make it difficult for a facial plastic surgeon if a facelift is desired later.
3. Gradual Approach: It’s recommended to start slowly when using dermal fillers. Allow time for the body to respond and assess how the skin and underlying tissue react before deciding to add more filler. This can help avoid too much stretching of your skin, which in time will result in the condition called “Pillow Face”.
4. Reversing Filler Isn’t Always Simple: One advantage of HA-based fillers is that they can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase if the results are too dramatic or not as expected. However, this should be done gradually and ideally by a facial plastic surgeon so as to avoid lumpy or hollow areas. Poor technique or rushing the process of dissolving filler can harm the skin, leading to wrinkles or depressions in the treated area.
5. Importance of Choosing a Physician-Supervised Practice: Seek a qualified practice where you can meet the MD and know that if any issues or reactions occur from the injections, the physician will be available to you for further treatment.
6. Fillers Are Not a Fix for Aging Skin:  Filler should not be considered an option for treating aging skin, loose skin or sagging jowls. Ultimately, stretched or loose skin will need to be addressed by a facelift by a plastic surgeon. 

This advice emphasizes the importance of a careful, measured approach when using dermal fillers to avoid long-term complications and ensure the best aesthetic outcomes.

Keep it Natural, and check out some of the natural regenerative options Halo | IA-h offers for facial rejuvenation!