Pillow Face: What Causes It & How to Avoid Looking Overfilled
What Causes Pillow Face, And How to Prevent It
In aesthetic medicine, the number one fear is the overdone look often referred to as “pillow face.” It describes a face that looks overly full, puffy, or unnaturally smooth, often as a result of excessive or poorly placed dermal filler.
At Fresh Aesthetics & Skin, we take a different approach. Our goal is always to enhance, not alter so that you look like yourself, just fresher. That’s why we place such an emphasis on natural, balanced results that respect the facial structure, ageing process, and your unique features.
Let’s explore what really causes pillow face and how to avoid it!
What Is Pillow Face?
Pillow face refers to the unnatural puffiness that can occur when too much filler is injected, especially into the cheeks, mid-face or under-eye area. Instead of restoring lost volume in a subtle, balanced way, the face ends up looking strange & unnatural, actually ageing the person instead of rejuvenating them.
Common signs of pillow face include:
A puffy, swollen appearance—especially in the cheeks & undereyes
Loss of natural facial contours and definition
Stretched or shiny skin
Reduced facial mobility or expression
It can happen gradually over time, especially if someone repeatedly tops up filler without proper assessment or waiting for previous product to metabolise.
What Causes Pillow Face?
There are a few key factors that contribute to pillow face:
1. Overfilling
Using too much filler in one area, or layering too frequently without dissolving older product, can lead to a heavy, unnatural look.
2. Incorrect Placement
Placing filler too superficially or in the wrong plane of the skin causes it to migrate or sit unnaturally.
3. Poor Injector Technique
Aesthetic treatments are medical procedures. When performed by someone without advanced anatomical training, the risk of poor outcomes increases significantly.
4. Chasing Volume
Rather than treating the face holistically, some practitioners focus on isolated areas (like the cheeks or nasolabial folds), leading to imbalance and overcompensation.
How to Prevent Pillow Face
Pillow face is entirely preventable when you choose a medically-led, expert injector like Dr. Jayne at Fresh Aesthetics & Skin.
Here’s what we prioritise to ensure natural, beautiful results:
✅ Medical Expertise
Dr. Jayne is a fully qualified dental surgeon, extensive training & experience in advanced injectable techniques. Her deep understanding of facial anatomy ensures safe, precise placement every time.
✅ Less Is More
We follow a conservative approach to filler, starting small, reviewing results, and building gradually if needed. The aim is always harmonious balance, not exaggerated volume.
✅ A Holistic View
We don’t just treat lines or volume loss in isolation. We assess the whole face, including skin quality, structure, and proportion, to create subtle enhancements that look and feel right.
✅ Regular Reviews
We allow time between treatments to let filler settle and avoid unnecessary top-ups. We also offer dissolving treatments for patients who want to reset from overdone results elsewhere.
The Fresh Aesthetics Difference
At Fresh Aesthetics & Skin, we believe in restoring confidence, not creating a mask. We are all about elegance & understated results.
When performed correctly, dermal fillers can:
Restore volume lost through ageing
Enhance natural contours
Rejuvenate tired features
Lift and define the face, without looking “done”
It’s an art as well as a science.
What are the alternatives to filler?
Biostimulators such as Sculptra offer an alternative to traditional fillers. These boost your own natural collagen by up to 66% for a subtle, gradual rejuvenation.
Our advice if you’re not sure? Start with a consultation. Dr. Jayne will listen to your concerns, assess your facial structure, and provide honest guidance on what’s appropriate for your face, goals, and budget.
And if your skin is your main concern, our skin specialist Dr. Brian can perform a Digital Skin Analysis to tailor a personalised treatment plan based on your skin’s unique needs.
At Fresh Aesthetics, aesthetics and skin health go hand-in-hand. And we’re here to help you find the right path, whether that’s injectables, skin treatments, or both.
Final Thoughts
Pillow face isn’t inevitable. It’s the result of poor technique, overcorrection, and a lack of an artistic eye. When you choose us, you choose a practice that puts your natural beauty and safety first.
If you're ready to explore subtle, age-appropriate rejuvenation, without the risk of looking overdone, we are here to help.
📍 Based in Portadown
👩⚕️ Medical injectables by Dr. Jayne
🧴 Expert skincare by Dr. Brian
🥼 Science-led. Patient-centred. Always natural.
