Overstuffed Syndrome: Why it Happens and How to Avoid it

By Kate Dee, MD

I will never give someone ducky lips. I simply do not believe that ducky lips make people look beautiful. How is it that we see more and more people looking overstuffed with fillers? Giant ducky lips, huge cheeks, a lower face that doesn’t really move when they talk. These things do not look natural and often are so distracting, one spends more time thinking about why this person looks so odd than listening to what they are saying. So why does this happen?

As you age, you lose volume in your face. When we are kids, we have fat pads that round out the face and give us a baby-face look. As you get older, you lose those fat pads over time. Eventually, you get hollows and areas that look scooped out. Fillers are one solution that can help replace volume. And when done well, they can really make you look younger. Fillers are a great tool, but they are not the only tool.

The big process that contributes just as much to aging is the thinning of the skin. After around age 30, the cells in your dermis that make collagen and elastin go dormant. Your body breaks those down at 1-2% per year, so after that, your skin is slowly thinning out. As it thins, it is no longer thick and springy, and it starts to sag. Here’s the problem: many injectors use fillers to prop up this sagging skin. It is like adding a few tent poles under stretched-out tent fabric. The results can be dramatic, and they are instant (although temporary). But what happens over time as your skin continues to thin out? You need more and more filler to prop it up.

If the only tool you have is filler, you end up chasing this increasing problem of sagging skin with more and more filler. Eventually, you look ridiculous and you still have not addressed the real problem - a loss of collagen and thinning skin. Places that do not offer other tools, or have an approach more focused on creating repeat filler customers, are missing the opportunity to address the whole problem, and they are overstuffing people in the process.

At Glow, we believe in preserving your natural beauty. We use a combination of approaches to tighten skin and replace volume that makes you look like you, just a bit younger. Yes, we still offer filler - it is a great tool! But we also focus on building your collagen with tools like Infini, LaseMD, Exilis Ultra, PRP and microneedling, and Sculptra, a non-filler injectable that also builds collagen. Check out this blog post about “How to keep your skin thick and springy.” Taking great care of your skin is also critical to keep it looking young and healthy. At Glow, we are looking at the big picture for the long-term. By educating our clients and using our natural approach to beauty, we hope we are helping you to feel great about your skin.

Even though CoolSculpting can be effective in some situations, many people aren’t ready to deal with the harsh side effects of that fat reduction procedure. Patients often struggle with large bruises, sensitive skin, and general inflammation for multiple days after every CoolSculpting appointment. Our team understands that those issues can be overwhelming, and that is why we are devoted to offering a wide variety of minimally invasive alternatives. We can help you come up with a non-surgical treatment plan that melts away stubborn fat, eradicates cellulite, and tones loose skin.

Why Won’t My Fat Disappear?

Getting rid of stubborn body fat is a frustrating process, and that is one of the reasons why many people turn to professional fat reduction treatments. Your body naturally retains as much fat as possible so that you have an emergency supply of energy at all times. You could diet and exercise for years without seeing any changes in your upper arms, chest, back, or abdomen. Our fat reduction procedures quickly and gently eliminate fatty tissue by stimulating some of the natural healing processes inside your body.

Vanquish

Vanquish ME has become one of the most popular weight loss treatments on the market, and it is a great starting point for those who would like to safely melt away their fat. Like many other body contouring procedures, Vanquish ME uses waves of radiofrequency energy to break apart fat cells. Once those cells are broken into smaller components, it will be easier for your body to carry them away. Most patients need multiple Vanquish ME appointments, but the results are often breathtaking. After your Vanquish ME treatments, you won’t have to worry about any lingering discomfort or other unusual side effects.

Cellutone

This treatment was specifically designed to reduce the circumference of the waist by obliterating nearby pockets of fat. It also stimulates the dermis to minimize any skin laxity issues that you might be dealing with. Instead of relying on lasers or RF waves, Cellutone breaks apart your fatty tissue with thousands of vibrations every second. This treatment is administered with a handheld device that massages your skin and deep tissue. Cellutone is completely non-invasive, and most patients claim that they experience no unwanted side effects.

Our team at Glow Medispa is ready to help you create the body of your dreams without the unwanted side effects of CoolSculpting. In addition to these treatment options, we also offer a wide variety of spa services including facials, waxing, peels, and microdermabrasion. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.