Dermal fillers are widely used to enhance facial features, restore volume, and provide a refreshed, youthful look. For many, they offer not just aesthetic improvements but also a psychological boost – helping individuals feel more confident and in control of their appearance. But like all cosmetic interventions, the journey isn’t always straightforward.
At ReadyMind, we work with clients navigating not just the decision to get fillers, but also the emotional experience that comes with adjusting to them – and sometimes, deciding to have them dissolved.
Why People Choose Fillers: More Than Skin Deep
The reasons people pursue dermal fillers are often emotionally complex. Some seek a solution to age-related volume loss, others aim to balance facial proportions, and many are simply responding to internal or external pressures to look a certain way.
When done conservatively and with care, fillers can provide:
Enhanced self-confidence, especially when features are brought into better harmony
A subtle boost in wellbeing, particularly for those who’ve long felt insecure about specific areas (e.g., under-eye hollows, thin lips, or facial asymmetry)
Empowerment and autonomy, offering people a way to express their aesthetic identity on their own terms
Non-surgical options for people seeking facial rejuvenation without the downtime or risks of more invasive procedures
While fillers can deliver satisfying results, their psychological impact depends largely on expectations, self-image, and the emotional meaning attached to appearance changes. If underlying self-esteem concerns are present, filler treatments may not bring the hoped-for relief.
Perception Drift: When ‘Normal’ Keeps Shifting
One important but often overlooked psychological phenomenon is perception drift – the gradual shift in how we perceive our appearance after repeated cosmetic treatments. When fillers are used over time, what originally felt like a subtle enhancement can start to feel like the new “normal.” As the face subtly changes, individuals may:
Stop noticing the enhancements
Feel tempted to “top up” regularly to maintain the familiar look
Develop distorted perceptions of what looks balanced or natural
Over time, this can lead to a desire for increasingly dramatic results—or requests for additional filler that may no longer align with the person’s original goals. In some cases, perception drift can contribute to becoming overfilled, which can eventually lead to dissatisfaction, regret, or a decision to dissolve fillers.
When Fillers Don’t Feel Right Anymore
It’s not uncommon for people to later decide that their filler results no longer align with how they want to look—or feel. This can be triggered by:
A sense that the appearance looks “unnatural” or “not like me”
Physical issues such as puffiness, asymmetry, or migration
Shifting aesthetic preferences
A desire to return to a more natural appearance
Realising the emotional outcome wasn’t as positive as expected
This is where the idea of dissolving fillers comes in—but it’s not a simple undo button.
The Emotional Complexity of Dissolving Fillers
Dissolving dermal fillers, especially after long-term use, can be an emotionally charged experience. It may involve:
A dramatic change in appearance: After becoming accustomed to the filler-enhanced version of yourself, returning to a different facial contour can feel jarring – especially when the new appearance is neither your pre-filler self nor the one you’ve grown used to.
Ageing in the interim: If fillers have been maintained over years, natural ageing continues beneath the surface. Once fillers are dissolved, age-related volume loss, skin laxity or texture changes may be more noticeable, leading to feelings of vulnerability or grief.
Discomfort during a “waiting period”: Some cosmetic practitioners recommend waiting several weeks before receiving new filler after dissolving. This temporary in-between phase can provoke anxiety, self-consciousness, and a strong urge to “fix” the change quickly.
Common Emotional Experiences After Dissolving Fillers
Grief and loss over a face you had grown to associate with confidence or self-worth
Shame or embarrassment about the change, especially if others notice
Distress around ageing or seeing previously masked features re-emerge
Pressure to decide quickly whether or not to get more filler or “fix” perceived flaws
Increased body checking or critical self-scrutiny
How ReadyMind Can Support You
At ReadyMind, we understand that filler treatments – and reversals – can be deeply emotional experiences. Our psychologists are trained to support clients before and after cosmetic procedures, helping you:
Clarify whether your treatment goals align with your emotional needs
Navigate the distress and uncertainty that can come with dissolving fillers
Process feelings of identity confusion, vulnerability, or self-criticism
Explore whether body image concerns or perfectionism are influencing decisions
Build confidence in your appearance during transitional periods
We also help people manage the psychological challenges of waiting periods, offering tools to tolerate distress, reduce body-checking behaviours, and approach decisions with more clarity and less urgency.
If you’re considering filler treatment – or feeling uncertain about your appearance after dissolving – know that support is available. You don’t have to go through this process alone.
Book a confidential session with a ReadyMind psychologist to talk it through. We’re here to help you feel emotionally grounded, empowered, and confident in your choices
