The Unseen Lasting Effects of Dissolving Facial Fillers
Many people, including celebrities, have turned to dissolving their facial fillers in recent years, seeking a return to their natural appearance. But often, the face doesn't quite snap back to its original state. Why is that? Can the effects of so-called temporary fillers actually be permanent? Let's explore this through the stories of well-known figures and the underlying science.
Kylie Jenner and the Balloon Effect of Tissue Expansion
Kylie Jenner’s relationship with fillers has been openly documented. In July 2018, a fan commented that she looked like the "old Kylie," and she replied that she had gotten rid of all her filler. But by October 2018, she confirmed she'd resumed lip fillers. In 2024, she once again dissolved them for a more natural look. Yet, even after dissolving, we see permanent changes—especially to her lips. This brings us to the first concept: tissue expansion. Think of a balloon that’s inflated and then deflated. It’s never quite the same balloon. When fillers are injected, they physically stretch the skin and underlying tissues to create volume. The body adapts by forming new collagen and elastin fibers to support that added volume. Once the filler is dissolved, the skin and tissues remain slightly stretched. This leads to a more permanent change in the appearance of the face, even when the filler is no longer present.
Courtney Cox and the Hidden Scar Tissue
In 2022, Courtney Cox reflected on her past experiences, saying, "There was a time when you go, oh, I'm changing, I'm looking older, and I tried to chase that youthfulness for years. I didn't realize that I'm actually looking really strange with injections." She eventually realized she had to stop. The second concept here is scar tissue formation. Filler injections cause micro-injuries to the skin and underlying tissue every time a needle or cannula is inserted. Repeated over many years and many injections, that scar tissue mounts up. The scar tissue that forms where filler was injected remains, even after the filler itself is dissolved. That scar tissue is potentially there forever. And scar tissue does not behave like normal tissue, which can lead to uneven texture, lumps, or areas of the face that appear less smooth or flexible.
Simon Cowell and the Sponge That Won't Let Go
Simon Cowell once said, "There was a stage where I might have gone a bit too far with fillers. I saw a picture of me from before the other day and didn't recognize it as me. Enough was enough. There is no filler in my face at all now, zero." Yet even after dissolving completely, the face may not return to baseline. This leads to concept three: incomplete dissolving of facial filler. Fillers are hydrophilic—they attract and hold onto water, functioning like a sponge. So even after the filler is dissolved, the tissues can still retain water, causing the treated area to stay slightly more plump or inflated than it was before the filler was ever injected. Additionally, filler can migrate and expand over time, often ending up in places it wasn't originally placed. If the dissolving is only performed in a small part of where the filler actually ended up, some filler will be left behind.
Lisa Rena and the Risk of Dissolving Natural Tissue
Lisa Rena, another celebrity, confirmed she dissolved her Skinvive filler, stating, "Skinvive is not for everyone. It was not good for me. Luckily, we could dissolve it today." This brings us to concept four: it is possible to dissolve some of your natural tissues with hyaluronidase. Some doctors argue that hyaluronidase only targets injected hyaluronic acid, but many who work in surgery see firsthand that the tissues injected with hyaluronidase often thin out and don't look like their original state. Many believe natural tissue can be impacted. This is especially true when high concentrations of hyaluronidase are used. For example, when dissolving lip filler, a very diluted concentration is often used, but many people go with the concentration straight out of the vial—a very high concentration that can further potentiate the dissolving of natural tissues. Also, people often undergo multiple rounds of dissolving, which increases the risk of thinning out native tissue, leading to a face that looks more depleted than before any filler was ever used.
Yolanda Hadid and the Inevitable March of Aging
Yolanda Hadid, mother of Bella and Gigi, posted on Instagram for her 55th birthday in 2019 that she was now "finally living in a body free of breast implants, fillers, Botox, extensions, and all the other BS I thought I needed in order to keep up with what society conditioned me to believe what a sexy woman should look like, until the toxicity of it almost killed me." This illustrates concept five: the aging process continues whether you're getting fillers or not. Even after you dissolve your filler, you see a different version of yourself—you're not returning to exactly how you were before filler because aging has continued. You are now an older form of yourself, with natural loss of fat, collagen, and elastin. This can give the illusion that the face has been permanently altered by the filler, when in fact it's partially due to the aging process itself. One area where people often get upset after dissolving filler is the lower eyelid region—the tear trough. When filler has been there for years, dissolving it reveals the hollowing that has occurred naturally. Some people freak out and want that filler back immediately because they don't like the degree of hollowing that's developed.
Bad Baby and the Lymphatic Blockage
When speaking about dissolving her own filler, 21-year-old Bad Baby said, "Stop doing it unless you absolutely need it. It makes you look so much older and blocks your lymphatic draining system, causing pillow face." This brings us to concept six: blocked lymphatics. The lymphatic system helps drain excess fluid and waste from our bodies, including areas where filler may have been placed. Fillers can obstruct or change the function of the lymphatic channels, causing a buildup of fluid or sluggish drainage. This affects how our faces look after filler is dissolved—the tissues can appear more swollen, puffy, or uneven because the lymphatic flow is no longer efficient.
This exploration isn't meant to scare anyone away from filler. If it aligns with your goals and boosts your confidence, it may be a great option. Fillers can deliver amazing results, but it's important to understand the potential long-term effects. The key is choosing what feels right for you with realistic expectations and proper awareness. Always consult a qualified professional who takes the time to understand your goals and educate you on potential outcomes. Stay informed, and do what makes you feel most confident in your skin.