The choose not to use dermal “fillers” and what I do instead
When people hear that I don’t use facial fillers, they often assume it’s because I’m opposed to anything “unnatural.”
That’s not the reason.
My choice is based on how fillers behave in the face over time and how they interact with the living systems that support facial health, movement, and vitality.
This perspective isn’t about shame or judgment. It’s about understanding the long-term effects of aesthetic interventions so you can make informed, empowered choices for your beauty.
Facial Fillers and Tissue Behavior Over Time
Dermal fillers, most commonly hyaluronic acid–based, are designed to add volume and structure to the face. While they can create short-term aesthetic changes, they don’t exist in isolation once injected. They become part of a dynamic, responsive system that includes fascia, lymphatic vessels, fluid pathways, muscles, nerves, and connective tissue.
Over time, several well-documented patterns can occur.
Migration and Unintended Fullness
Fillers can migrate away from their original placement along fascial planes. This migration can be subtle or more noticeable, sometimes leading to fullness in areas that were never intended to be enhanced. This is not always immediate and can develop gradually over years.
Inflammation, Water Retention, and Puffiness
Hyaluronic acid is hydrophilic, meaning it attracts and holds water. Combined with the body’s inflammatory response to a foreign substance, this can result in persistent puffiness or swelling, especially in delicate areas like the under-eyes and mid-face.
Disruption of Lymphatic Flow and Fluid Drainage
The face relies heavily on efficient lymphatic drainage to clear excess fluid, metabolic waste, and inflammatory byproducts. Added volume, pressure, or chronic inflammation from fillers can interfere with this drainage, contributing to fluid stagnation and a heavier appearance over time.
Formation of Firm Nodules or Granulomas
In some cases, the body responds to filler by forming firm nodules or granulomas. These are inflammatory or immune-mediated reactions that can alter tissue texture and mobility. While not common in every individual, they are a known long-term complication.
Dissolving Is Not Always a Simple Reset
While hyaluronidase can dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers, the process isn’t always complete or neutral. Some filler persists longer than expected, and dissolver itself carries risks, including allergic reactions and inflammatory responses. Dissolving filler does not automatically restore the tissue environment to its original state.
Considerations for Future Facial Surgery
For individuals who may consider facial surgery later in life, repeated or extensive filler use can complicate surgical planning. Changes in tissue quality, fibrosis, or altered anatomy can make procedures more complex.
This Is Not About Shame
It’s important to say this clearly.
This perspective is not meant to shame anyone who has chosen fillers. Many people choose them because they’re marketed as a less invasive, temporary option, and the desire to feel beautiful, confident, and at home in your skin is deeply valid.
This conversation is about long-term thinking, not right or wrong choices.
What I Focus on Instead
Rather than adding volume to the face, I focus on supporting the systems that allow the face to look vibrant, lifted, and alive naturally.
My work centers on practices that preserve:
• movement and tissue mobility
• healthy lymphatic flow and fluid balance
• fascial glide and adaptability
• muscle balance and tone
• nervous system regulation
• overall vitality and expression
Through hands-on work, gentle facial massage, gua sha, lymphatic support, and fascia-focused techniques, the goal is to create an environment where the face can function well and age more gracefully.
When these systems are supported, the face often appears fuller, brighter, and more lifted without adding foreign material or disrupting natural processes.
Supporting Your Beauty Long-Term
I choose to support my face through practices that preserve movement, flow, and vitality rather than adding something that can alter function and, in some faces, lead to a firmer, puffier look over time.
This approach honors the face as a living, responsive system.
Want Personalized Support?
If you’re feeling puffy, heavy, tense, or disconnected from your face, or if you’re navigating questions about fillers and long-term facial care, personalized support can make a meaningful difference.
I offer one-on-one sessions focused on facial health, lymphatic flow, fascia release, and nervous system regulation to support both how your face looks and how it feels.
If you have experience with fillers or questions about long-term facial care, you’re always welcome to reach out. This work is about education, choice, and care.
