A Beverly Hills reconstructive surgeon is warning against the myth that dermal fillers are a harmless, temporary fix. Dr. Kami Parsa says subtle tweaks can lead to permanent damage, like the dreaded “pillow face.”
Once considered a safe, short-term way to smooth wrinkles and enhance features, fillers—especially hyaluronic acid (HA)—are now under scrutiny. In a viral TikTok from July 2024, Parsa showed MRI scans of a patient who had received 12+ syringes of HA over six years. The results were alarming: over 28 cc of filler remained—double the amount injected—due to HA’s ability to attract water and expand tissue over time.
Despite claims that fillers dissolve within 6 months to 2 years, Parsa reveals they can persist for up to a decade, especially with repeated use. The result? A stretched, overfilled look—what many now call “pillow face.”
Parsa warns this isn’t an instant side effect but builds over time through layering, overcorrection, and skin stretching. “You cannot fill your face to youth,” he says.
The video sparked a wave of concern online, with many questioning why the risks of long-term filler use haven’t been more openly discussed. Some users vowed to stay natural, calling fillers “injecting poison.”