A plastic surgeon has issued a warning against an unusual new trend that’s taking place in the world of cosmetic procedures.
With a brand new year comes a bunch of new trends taking over the internet, with the vast majority of them seemingly coming to fruition on TikTok.
Some have used fillers to enhance their appearance for years, but the harsh reality of that has now been detailed by a plastic surgeon.
Ear filler, in particular, has become increasingly popular in Asia, where the form of cosmetic procedure all began.
Many decided on taking up ear filler to make their faces appear smaller, or even fix their drooping earlobes.
And while many who have undergone the procedure have been pleased with the results, the form of cosmetic surgery certainly doesn’t come without its risk, one surgeon has warned.
“Ear injections are a popular treatment in China for fanning out the ears and making the face look slimmer,” dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu explained on social media.
In an Instagram video, she added: “Aside from the lifting effect, it actually fans out your ear and that creates a smaller face because in Asia the trend is all about having a smaller face.”
The procedure can often get mixed up with that which gives people pointy ears – something that’s particularly popular in the US.
However, Dr. Deepak Dugar has warned against the procedure for certain patients as it can cause ‘cauliflower ear’, a condition which sees the ear permanently swollen.
The doctor told the Daily Mail: “Using filler to reshape the upper ear — specifically around the helical rim — is not commonly performed in the United States.
“In my opinion, doing filler in the upper and lateral aspect of the ear is extremely risky and I personally would never recommend this for my patients.”
Dr. Dugar added: “Ear filler in the USA is usually performed in the lower earlobe, used to re-volumize aging ears to prevent a wrinkled or sagging look.
“Sometimes we also use fillers in the lower earlobe to strengthen the area under an ear piercing to keep it strong and prevent it from weakening with heavy earrings.”
In Asia, the trend has become increasingly popular as a result of popular K-pop stars such as Haerin undergoing the procedure.
This isn’t the first time that experts have spoken out on ‘trendy’ procedures and their potential health risks. Just last year, the rise in ‘mesotherapy’, described by Healthline as a ‘technique that uses injections of vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and plant extracts to rejuvenate and tighten skin, as well as remove excess fat’, made headlines as a skin-rejuvenating treatment.
However, certain medical professionals warned of ‘reptilian-like skin’ as a potential side effect, along with a myriad of other risks.
“Lumps and bumps are probably the most common complication from mesotherapy,” writes the International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology.
“They can result when the solution is distributed unevenly or when the solution is not homogenous and has different effects in different zones.
“Concentrations vary when the mix is not homogenous and one area may have totally different materials from an adjacent one.”
Unfortunately, there are some other, more serious, risks that come with having Mesotherapy.
There’s a risk of infection which could cause long term tissue death or damage, says Dr Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, a New York-based dermatologist.
“Patients may experience long-lasting bruising, severe allergic reactions, skin necrosis due to product placement in blood vessels, or even permanent eye damage,” she added.
