The Myth of Filler Fatigue: How Innovative Treatments Are Making Injectables More Popular Than Ever

For a while, more was more. Over the past decade or so, lips became plumper and cheekbones grew bigger, all thanks to filler treatments that, at times, didn’t even seem concerned with looking natural. But in the past year or two, as our relationships with everything from office attire to social media have rapidly evolved, appearances have started to change, and the era of obvious overfilling has come to an end. Instead, people are celebrating a more natural, refined look.

“Overfilled, exaggerated features are a thing of the past—and, to be honest, they were never really the beauty ideal we upheld,” says Dr. Louis P. Bucky, founder of Bucky Plastic Surgery, a leading provider in Philadelphia that, even in the Kardashian-era, has always been known for natural-looking results. 

That movement away from overfilling has led to the concept of “filler fatigue,” the idea that patients and consumers are forgoing fillers altogether. But according to physicians like Dr. Bucky, injectables are as popular as ever among their patients—if not more so. 

“Filler fatigue is a misnomer,” says Dr. Bucky. “We’re not seeing anyone getting tired of fillers and injectables. They continue to be some of the most requested treatments at our practice.”

So where’s the disconnect? The truth is that patients aren’t abandoning fillers. Instead, they’re leaving behind less effective fillers and techniques, and embracing a new way of utilizing the best of them. At practices like Bucky Plastic Surgery, customized plans combine advanced, science-backed fillers, like hyaluronic acid, with other new and innovative injectables. These include regenerative biostimulators, a new class of injectables designed to stimulate the body’s own collagen and elastin production over time. Providers are also helping patients recognize when surgical interventions—not more filler—offer the best, most natural-looking results. 

For anyone considering aesthetics today, understanding this shift is crucial. The goal isn’t just to add volume anymore—it’s to maintain a fresh, natural look over time, using the right treatments at the right moments. So, if you’ve felt fatigued with fillers, you may not be wrong–but that’s probably because there are better ways to use them. Here’s how the smartest techniques are evolving, and how working with the right expert can help you benefit from these changes.

Beyond Overfilling: Facial Analysis and Treatment Planning

A good injector–one with a deep understanding of facial anatomy–will understand that each face is different and has different needs. That’s the mindset that leads to a natural result–not seeing how much filler can be added, but how the face can be refreshed over time by treating its unique challenges or signs of aging. Practices like Bucky Plastic Surgery have built their approach around this kind of full-face analysis and individualized planning.

“We assess our patients’ full face at each visit,” says Valerie Daily, CRNP, CANS, Director of Injectables at Bucky Plastic Surgery in Washington Square. “This affords us the ability to meet you where you are along your aesthetic journey.”​

Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all treatment, nurse injectors at Bucky Plastic Surgery create unique care plans. It’s not just a question of where and when to apply fillers. It’s a holistic approach that addresses the underlying drivers of skin aging and deficiencies. 

“We really work as a team between all the different providers in skin care, body care, wellness and longevity, surgery and injectables,” says Kate Lynch, RN, CANS, Director of Injectables at Bucky Plastic Surgery’s Main Line location. “That’s how we provide a holistic approach to patient care, maximizing results and knowing when to transition from one treatment to the next, to help patients look and feel their best.”​

Not Your Parents’ Injectables: Biostimulators

That approach has been given a boost by the development of new treatments. For “fatigued” patients looking for a more natural and gradual rejuvenation, biostimulators are changing how we think about injectables. Unlike traditional fillers that add volume instantly, these regenerative injectables work by stimulating the body’s own collagen and elastin production, leading to fresher, firmer skin over time. 

At Bucky Plastic Surgery, biostimulators are not only a must-have supplement to current treatments–they’re even a good introduction to receiving treatment for those who haven’t previously done so.

“If you’re just starting out with injectables, a biostimulator is a more natural, subtle first step because the results are gradual,” Kate says. “There’s also something very comforting about using a product that encourages your body to do what it once did better.”​

Among the most popular biostimulators at Bucky Plastic Surgery are Sculptra and hyperdilute Radiesse, which help rebuild the skin’s natural structure and deliver subtle volume improvements over several months. As a result, they offer longevity: many patients experience results that can last up to two years, with outcomes that continue to evolve naturally instead of plateauing.

“Biostimulators differ from traditional HA-based fillers because the volume restoration is ongoing and results can last 18 to 24 months,” says Kimmi Ragone, BSN, RN, CPSN, Executive Director of Skin Care and Injectables at Bucky Plastic Surgery, Rittenhouse Square. “Each person will see results on their own individual timeframe since it’s about the body’s own response and ability to produce collagen and elastin.”

The Right Combination: Fillers and Skincare Techniques

While biostimulators work well on their own, expert injectors know that there’s a synergetic effect from pairing them with other advanced techniques. That fact has increasingly led to care plans featuring combinations of biostimulators, hyaluronic acid fillers, and regenerative skincare technologies designed to work together.

“We provide a unique approach by blending a combination of injectable Radiesse biostimulator and HA filler together to treat more significant volume depletion from weight loss in the facial region,” Kimmi says. “This innovative approach provides more immediate volume and cumulative collagen boosting benefits in one treatment.”​ In other words, it’s the best of both worlds: instant benefits that prepare your skin for long-lasting results. 

You can even double-down on the regenerative effects. Treatments like microneedling and microcoring (through devices like Ellacor) are also key parts of the toolbox, with a collagen-boosting effect like biostimulators–but even more powerful. “Microneedling stimulates new collagen,” explains Dr. Bucky. “Ellacor is an amazing new technology that performs microscopic skin removal to prompt our body’s innate healing response to regenerate and tighten skin.”​

So, if you’re feeling fatigued with fillers, you don’t have to give up on giving your skin a boost. Try paring the traditional fillers back and augmenting them with the more subtle, natural effects from a care plan that’s focused on regeneration.

Right Time, Right Technique: Plastic Surgery

There might be one other reason you’re feeling fatigued. One of the most important developments in today’s aesthetic world has been realizing that injectables alone aren’t enough—and coming to understand when surgical options offer the better, more natural solution. 

It wasn’t just an aesthetic mistake that led to the over-filled ‘00s. At times, haphazard injecting led to people pouring on the filler, trying to solve structural challenges in their face–a problem that’s better suited for plastic surgery. 

That’s why it’s key to work with medically backed, licensed, experienced injectors; they know which treatments work best for particular problems, instead of just adding more filler. It’s a skill that combines scientific knowledge with an artistic eye, so the better the injector, the better the result. At Bucky Plastic Surgery, injectors are leaders in their field, often training others on behalf of major brands of injectables like Galderma or Allergan. That expertise comes from a rigorous, holistic mindset at the center, which also enables them to direct patients to incorporate or opt for other treatments when necessary. 

“Our nurse injectors also closely interact with my surgical patients; they assist pre- and post-operatively, offering preparation, and follow-up assistance,” says Dr. Bucky. “This is a very intentional dynamic. It helps strengthen our community and how patients navigate between all the offerings at Bucky Plastic Surgery, but also helps everyone to best advise our patients. Everyone is trained to understand what aesthetic path is best for each patient.”​

Recognizing the early signs that fillers are no longer the ideal solution—like needing more frequent touch-ups or seeing diminished returns—can make all the difference in maintaining a fresh look. “We often know when a patient is ready to transition from fillers to a facelift when they start asking for more fillers earlier and earlier than usual,” Dr. Bucky explains. “That’s the first sign.”​

Handled at the right moment and with the right expertise, surgical interventions can keep patients looking natural, refreshed, and true to themselves, without ever veering into the “overdone” territory patients today are eager to avoid. So, whether surgery, injectables, or a combination is right for you, with the right treatments, there’s no need to feel fatigued–and no need to look fatigued either.

This is a paid partnership between Bucky Plastic Surgery and Philadelphia Magazine