A medical surgeon recently shared a jaw-dropping video that quickly went viral. The footage, which showed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, revealed something surprising: over time, the hyaluronic acid fillers injected into a patient’s face had grown and moved on their own.
The results shocked thousands of viewers, many of whom admitted their own fillers never seemed to dissolve as expected.
So, what are dermal fillers? According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to restore volume, smooth out wrinkles, soften creases, or enhance facial contours.
Millions of men and women choose this popular procedure every year to rejuvenate their faces. The most commonly used fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a substance that tends to be temporary, typically lasting between 6 and 18 months.
Dr. Kami Parsa, a well-known oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, posted the MRI footage on TikTok. The video, which has now been viewed over 7.2 million times, showed the face of a 33-year-old woman who had received more than 12 CC (12 milliliters) of hyaluronic acid filler over six years.
The MRI scan highlighted green spots in various areas of her face, such as the lips and cheeks, showing where the filler had remained.
Dr. Parsa explained the unexpected results in the video. “After conducting a volumetric analysis,” he said, “we found that the total amount of filler was 28 CC, more than twice the amount that was injected.”
This discovery stunned many viewers. “What this shows us,” Dr. Parsa continued, “is that hyaluronic acid fillers are hydrophilic. That means they attract water, causing tissue expansion.”
The video sparked a flood of comments and questions from viewers, many of whom were alarmed. One person wrote, “I just don’t see how this wouldn’t completely destroy the lymphatic system.” Another comment read, “FINALLY THIS IS BEING TALKED ABOUT.
The mass production and insane usage without WARNING. I need to know more. What about Botox?” Dr. Parsa was quick to respond, assuring everyone, “Botox has a long history and is safe if performed correctly.”
Some viewers shared their own experiences. “I keep telling people I only got my lips done three times, 0.5ml each time, and it’s been five years since then,” one person admitted. “My lips are still the same because it DOES NOT DISSOLVE.” Another viewer shared, “When it first came out, all injectors said it would only last 6 months.” Dr. Parsa replied, “That’s what the filler companies were telling us.”
Even more surprising was the comment from a viewer who said, “I got chin filler ONCE a decade ago. Never needed a touch-up since. It’s stayed the same this whole time.” Another person chimed in, “Had my lips done 8 years ago. It still hasn’t gone away.”
As dermal fillers have become more popular, celebrities who overuse them often find themselves under scrutiny. This was the case with Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, who were recently criticized after their “before and after” photos surfaced online, showing a noticeable change in their appearance.
Meredith West, a physician assistant with over 15 years of experience, shared a video analyzing the couple’s appearance. She suggested that both may have had cosmetic procedures, including Botox and fillers. “I think Eva might have had facial surgery (possibly a facelift) and they both probably had Botox and facial fillers,” she speculated.
While Botox can help reduce wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles, overuse of both Botox and fillers can lead to problems. Nurse Gemavie explained that too much Botox could cause muscle weakness, leading to an unnatural appearance. Dermatologist Jessica Weiser also warned that overdone filler can result in a “pillow-face” look, with a puffy and disproportionate appearance.
Aesthetics physician Jonny Betteridge has also commented on the changes in Ryan Gosling’s appearance over the years. “He’s always had very masculine features, but over time, his face has become more ‘overfilled’,” Jonny said in a recent Reel.
He explained that Ryan’s face appeared more full in the mid-face and cheeks, a look that is common when too much filler is used in these areas. “This appearance is classic of what I see when someone’s had too much filler put in this area,” Jonny added.
Despite the concerns about overuse, some people feel that small amounts of filler can be beneficial. “I think they both looked amazing before and didn’t need anything other than a little preventative toxin and maybe some biostim for collagen stimulation,” Meredith West concluded in her post.
So, what do you think about this surprising discovery? Are you concerned about the long-term effects of fillers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!