From beauty to danger, there is sometimes only one step… as evidenced by the craze for this brand new aesthetic phenomenon, increasingly present among celebrities.
Between the ever-increasing impact of cosmetic surgery and the advent of the cult of the image, beauty dictates have never invaded social networks so much. While certain content creators and celebrities point out the excesses of certain interventions, trends, going against this effort, seem more than ever to put the health of its users at risk. This is the case of this new beauty phenomenon, already criticized by doctors.
Luscious mouth, lifted eyes like “siren eyes”, enhanced cheekbones and lifted complexion, aesthetic procedures abound on social networks and in particular on Instagram. As women now measure themselves against purely virtual beauty standards, whether through photoshopped photos or AI-created models, surgical procedures are becoming more and more common and are now starting very early . The goal: to achieve physical perfection which would make it possible to correspond to this virtual ideal, eternally young, in “real life”. And as dangerous as it may seem, many stars have tried it.
Starting with Kylie Jenner, whose appearance at the Schiaparelli haute couture spring-summer 2023 show was shocking as her face appeared so different. We can also cite Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Adriana Lima and Nicole Kidman. What do all these personalities have in common? Their “pillow face”, a beauty phenomenon which refers to a swollen face, puffy like a cushion, due to excessive injection of hyaluronic acid fillers or botox. This happens when the doses injected are very close together in time or are simply carried out incorrectly. Pillow face can also be due to displacements of hyaluronic acid from its initial area, distorting the natural features of the face. In response, the tissues of the epidermis expand and create this undesirable swollen effect. “Hyaluronic acid builds up under the skin, leaving the body unable to assimilate or break it down naturally.“, explains AFME, the French Association of Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine.
Thus, instead of plumping up the epidermis to give it a younger appearance, the puffy face tends to age those who wear it and create an artificial look. Fortunately, it is now possible to reverse this damage thanks to a very specific product: hyaluronidase. This enzyme, administered by a professional, dissolves the hyaluronic acid injected into the skin. Which, ultimately, could make it possible to reverse the over-injection process. Downside: the product does not differentiate between injected hyaluronic acid and hyaluronic acid naturally present in the skin, which can thus create a significant loss of volume. A “miracle” solution to be taken with a grain of salt, therefore.
Finally, but we are not teaching you anything, it is very important to pay attention to the quantity of product injected and to have your personal needs assessed by an expert. All skin types are different and the needs of one person will not necessarily be the same as yours. We therefore recommend that you seek the advice of your treating physician before any surgical intervention.