According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to enhance facial features, smooth wrinkles, and restore lost volume. Each year, over a million men and women choose this popular cosmetic procedure.
MRI Shows Unexpected Filler Migration
Hyaluronic acid-based fillers, the most commonly used type, are designed to last between six and eighteen months. However, a recent MRI scan suggests they may persist far longer.
Oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Kami Parsa, based in Beverly Hills, California, went viral after posting an MRI scan of a 33-year-old patient on TikTok. The scan, which has garnered over 7.2 million views, displayed bright green areas across the patient’s cheeks and lips, indicating where the filler remained.
The patient had received more than 12 milliliters of hyaluronic acid filler over six years. However, Dr. Parsa’s volumetric analysis revealed a total of 28 milliliters—more than double the original amount injected.
“This shows us that hyaluronic acid fillers are hydrophilic,” Dr. Parsa explained. “They attract water and can stimulate tissue growth.”
Concerns Over Longevity of Fillers
The revelation sparked a wave of reactions on social media. One TikTok user commented, “I just don’t see how this wouldn’t completely destroy the lymphatic system.”
Another wrote, “Finally, this is being talked about! The mass production and insane usage without proper warnings. What about Botox?”
Dr. Parsa reassured viewers that Botox has a long safety record when administered correctly.
Many users shared their own experiences with long-lasting fillers:
• “I got my lips done three times, 0.5ml each, and five years later, they still look the same. It DOES NOT dissolve.”
• “I had chin filler once a decade ago—never needed a touch-up, and it’s still there.”
• “I had my lips done eight years ago, and it still hasn’t gone away.”
The Rise of Overfilled Faces in Hollywood
As fillers have gained popularity, concerns over excessive use—particularly among celebrities—have grown.
Recently, social media scrutinized Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes after side-by-side photos of the couple surfaced, showing a noticeable change in their facial features. Physician assistant Meredith West speculated in an Instagram post that both had undergone cosmetic procedures, possibly including Botox and fillers.
Aesthetics physician Jonny Betteridge also analyzed Gosling’s evolving appearance in a viral Instagram Reel, noting how his once well-defined cheekbones and jawline now appear “overfilled.”
“This is classic of what I see when someone’s had too much filler,” he explained, adding that excessive volume in the mid-face area becomes even more pronounced when smiling.
One viewer summed up the growing concern: “Me and my fillers panicking right now.”
The Debate Over Fillers Continues
Experts warn that overuse of fillers and Botox can lead to unnatural facial proportions, excessive puffiness, and even long-term complications. Dermatologist Jessica Weiser told Allure in 2023 that “pillow-face”—characterized by overly puffy features—is becoming increasingly common due to poor judgment by some injectors.
While cosmetic enhancements remain popular, Dr. Parsa’s viral MRI footage has sparked an important conversation about the long-term effects of fillers—and whether patients are truly informed about what happens to them over time.
