6 Surprising Alternative Uses for Dermal Fillers

David Fuller

Last Updated On: March 27, 2024

Dermal fillers, long celebrated in the aesthetic medicine world for their remarkable ability to smooth wrinkles and enhance facial contours, have transcended their traditional roles. 

However, the scope of dermal fillers extends far beyond mere cosmetic enhancements. 

The alternate use of aesthetic fillers is gaining traction, offering innovative solutions to a variety of medical and aesthetic concerns. 

With that in mind, we’ll delve into the lesser-known, yet equally impactful, applications of dermal fillers, showcasing their versatility and potential in addressing a range of unique challenges.

Scar Treatment

In the realm of alternative uses for dermal fillers, the efficacy of hyaluronic acid fillers in scar treatment is particularly noteworthy due to their compatibility with skin tissues and ability to promote collagen production. 

The procedure involves careful injection of fillers beneath the scar tissue elevating and leveling the skin surface. The results are very noticeable and typically last several months to a year, depending on the individual’s skin response and the type of filler used. 

This not only improves the physical appearance of scars but also can have a positive impact on the mental well-being of individuals.

Moreover, a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (2020) highlights the role of hyaluronic acid-based fillers in enhancing skin morphology, which could be indirectly beneficial for atrophic scars like those from acne or surgeries.¹ 

Hand Rejuvenation

As we age, our hands lose volume, making tendons and veins more prominent. Thus, the alternative usage of dermal fillers extends to hand rejuvenation, addressing the visible signs of aging hands. 

This high-satisfaction and low-risk procedure typically involves injecting calcium-hydroxyapatite-based (as the only FDA-approved substance for use in the hand dorsum) fillers into the back of the hands, to help restore lost volume, smooth out wrinkles, and reduce the visibility of veins and tendons for up to a year. 

The injection technique is vital for achieving natural-looking results and minimizing complications such as bruising and swelling, which can be common with CaHA fillers. 

Earlobe Rejuvenation

Over time, earlobes can sag or elongate due to aging, gravity, and quite commonly, the weight of earrings. 

One of the less commonly known uses for dermal fillers is, therefore, earlobe rejuvenation, which involves injecting fillers like hyaluronic acid directly into the earlobe to restore volume and firmness, giving the earlobes a more youthful and plump appearance.

Non-Surgical Nose Sculpting

Non-surgical nose reshaping using dermal fillers is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional rhinoplasty. 

This procedure, one of the innovative dermal fillers uses, offers a less invasive option (compared to traditional rhinoplasty) for those seeking minor adjustments to their nasal profile. However, the effects are temporary, typically lasting between 6 to 18 months.

The procedure hinges on precise filler injection into areas of the nose (tip, columella, radix, and dorsum) to correct issues like small bumps, asymmetry, or to enhance the nasal tip. 

According to a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2023), the satisfaction rate for non-surgical nose sculpting procedures is nearly 85%, which is slightly above the satisfaction rate for traditional rhinoplasty.²³

Foot Pain Relief

Over time, the natural fat pads in our feet diminish, a process that may be further accelerated by factors like wearing high heels or genetic conditions leading to foot deformities, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth. 

Irrespective of the underlying cause, this reduction in padding can increase pressure on the ball of the foot, leading to discomfort or pain during activities like walking, running, or even standing.

Thus, foot pain relief is one of the more ingenious uses for injectables such as HA fillers. The procedure involves injecting the filler into the affected areas to provide cushioning and reduce pressure during weight-bearing activities. 

In fact, a study in the Journal of International Foot & Ankle Foundation (2022) concluded that hyaluronic acid fillers, such as JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA® XC, could be an “efficacious, non-invasive, alternative treatment option to address fat pad atrophy.”⁴

Another study from 2018 concluded that the “injection of hyaluronic acid filler to the forefeet provided a significant effective, long-lasting, and well-tolerated improvement in metatarsalgia.”⁵

The safety profile of these fillers is generally favorable, making them a viable option for those suffering from foot pain.

Voice Rehabilitation

While its earliest mentions are over a century old, the procedure involving injection of biocompatible fillers such as RADIESSE® into the affected vocal cord, has only gained traction over the last two decades.

Nowadays, we know that using dermal fillers for voice rehabilitation, particularly in cases of vocal cord paralysis, can be a highly effective and minimally invasive treatment option, offering significant improvements in voice quality and function.

For instance, a 2023 case report first published in Cureus, a peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Science, discussed a case of physiotherapy combined with voice exercises in a patient with unilateral vocal cord palsy following total thyroidectomy surgery. 

The report demonstrated significant improvement in the patient’s voice quality and vocal function and has underscored the potential of dermal fillers as a viable option for voice rehabilitation.⁶

Conclusion

The expansive realm of dermal filler alternative treatments and applications has opened new avenues in both aesthetic and therapeutic interventions. 

These versatile applications, ranging from facial rejuvenation to alleviating foot pain, demonstrate the adaptability of dermal fillers beyond conventional cosmetic uses. 

While the effectiveness of these treatments is notable, it is worth noting that their success largely hinges on the expertise of the clinician administering them. 

Where can you inject fillers?

Fillers can be injected into various facial areas, including cheeks, lips, under the eyes, and along the jawline, as well as in non-facial areas like hands, earlobes, chest, and sometimes feet for cushioning.

What can dermal fillers be used for?

Dermal fillers are used for cosmetic enhancements like smoothing wrinkles, plumping lips, and contouring the face, as well as for medical purposes such as scar treatment, hand rejuvenation, pain treatment, and correcting facial asymmetries.

Can lip filler be used elsewhere?

Yes, the same type of filler used for lips, typically hyaluronic acid-based, can often be used in other areas of the face, such as the cheeks or nasolabial folds, for volume and contouring.

References:

1. Huth L, Marquardt Y, Heise R, Fietkau K, Baron JM, Huth S. Biological effects of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers and laser therapy on human skin models. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(9):897-899. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.10.36849/JDD.2020.4856.
2. Giammarioli G, Liberti A. Non-surgical rhinoplasty technique: An innovative approach for nasal reshaping with hyaluronic acid fillers. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(7):2054-2062. doi:10.1111/jocd.15669.
3. Khansa I, Khansa L, Pearson GD. Patient satisfaction after rhinoplasty: A social media analysis. Aesthet Surg J. 2016;36(1):NP1-5. doi:10.1093/asj/sjv095.
4. Schoenhaus J, Gold J, McFarlane A. Pressure Offloading Injectable System (POIS): Evaluating the use of an injectable dermal filler for offloading painful pressure points during weight bearing activities. J Int Foot Ankle Found. doi:https://doi.org/10.55067/jifaf.v1i10.33.
5. Foumenteze JP, Simpson H, Kerrouche N. Hyaluronic acid filler injections under the metatarsal heads provide a significant and long-lasting improvement in metatarsalgia from wearing high-heeled shoes. Dermatol Surg. 2018;44(7):994–1001. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000001470. PMCID: PMC6039379.
6. Kazi F, Patil S, Pathan H. Physiotherapy combined with voice exercises in a patient with unilateral vocal cord palsy following a total thyroidectomy surgery: A case report. Cureus. 2023;15(2):e35217. doi:10.7759/cureus.35217.