British Man Spends $4,400 on Fillers, Regrets His Choices

A 25-year-old man from Staffordshire, England, has shared his experience of spending approximately £3,500 ($4,400) on cosmetic fillers and the subsequent decision to remove them. Christopher Sharratt’s journey reflects the growing concerns over the psychological effects of cosmetic treatments and the lack of regulatory oversight in the industry.

Sharratt first sought lip fillers at the age of 17, having lied about his age to receive the injections. What began as a single treatment quickly escalated into a series of procedures, resulting in visibly enlarged lips and facial swelling. In a series of before-and-after photos, Sharratt revealed the dramatic changes his face underwent due to years of filler use. “The amount of money I spent on that is like half a house deposit, for God’s sake,” he remarked in an interview with Newsweek.

The allure of fillers, according to Sharratt, lies in the immediate gratification they provide. “You have a millimeter and your lips swell up… and you’re like, oh my God, this swelling looks so good,” he explained. However, as the swelling subsides, the desire for more fillers often leads to a cycle of repeated treatments. Dr. Cali Estes, a psychologist and addiction specialist, explained that while fillers are not chemically addictive, they can create a psychological dependency. “Each injection gives an instant confidence boost, and the brain starts chasing that dopamine hit again,” she said.

Sharratt’s turning point occurred during the COVID-19 lockdown when he was unable to access cosmetic treatments. “I looked at my photos of myself for the first time… and I was like, oh I actually didn’t look that bad. I should have been a bit nicer to myself,” he reflected. This realization prompted him to undergo a painful process to dissolve the fillers. He underwent four rounds of dissolver, as he had significant filler in his lips. “It did take four whole rounds of dissolving to get rid of it,” he stated.

The lack of regulation surrounding cosmetic treatments in the UK has raised concerns among professionals and patients alike. Sharratt emphasized the need for stricter oversight, particularly regarding age restrictions. “No 17-year-old should be going to get fillers. Nobody,” he asserted. In contrast, in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dermal fillers, approving them only for adults and specific uses. While there are no federal laws regarding a minimum age for filler procedures, many providers set a minimum age of 18, with some products requiring patients to be 21 or older.

Sharratt criticized the industry for not adequately informing patients about the long-term risks associated with fillers. “Nobody tells you the fact that it doesn’t dissolve… It doesn’t, it moves around your face,” he warned. He further noted that overstretching the lips can lead to permanent changes. Dr. Estes added that fillers should not be treated merely as beauty services, as they carry medical risks, including blindness.

Now free of fillers, Sharratt feels more confident and approachable in his daily life. “More people come up to me now than ever. People wouldn’t come up and say hello,” he said. He hopes that sharing his story will raise awareness about the risks associated with cosmetic procedures and advocate for tighter regulations. “Hopefully I can be one of the few people to put their hand up, say I’ve made a mistake, we need to do something about this,” he concluded.