As an M.D. (ophthalmologist) with nearly two decades of practice in aesthetic skin care, I’m witness to frequent expressions of joy and satisfaction when my patients see their results. Unfortunately, I am also witness to a growing incidence of social media fearmongering concerning hyaluronic acid (HA) that contradicts clinical evidence and threatens access to treatments that 97% of users find safe and satisfying.
Social media misinformation about HA fillers is spreading faster than facts, creating unnecessary fear and potentially costing Americans access to safe, effective treatments. When TikTok trends carry more weight than peer-reviewed medical research, consumers lose, and so does the $5.17 billion HA filler industry that provides jobs and economic growth across our communities. American families living paycheck-to-paycheck can't afford to base medical decisions on viral content created by unqualified influencers who prioritize engagement over accuracy.
The free market has a powerful way of separating fact from fiction, and when it comes to HA fillers, the market speaks clearly: these treatments work, they're safe, and consumers are overwhelmingly satisfied with natural-looking results. Market competition ensures that providers deliver quality outcomes or lose customers to competitors who do. When consumers are educated about HA fillers, which simply mimic the naturally occurring hyaluronic acid already in our bodies, they make informed choices that drive the industry toward excellence.
Simple economics tells us that an industry doesn't grow to over $5 billion by delivering poor outcomes. Consumer choice and market competition have produced treatments that are both safe and effective. Professional standards and industry self-regulation have created a treatment environment where 97% of users report satisfaction with their results—no government intervention required.
After 20 years of clinical use and extensive FDA oversight, the scientific evidence on HA fillers is irrefutable. These products work by supplementing the hyaluronic acid that naturally occurs in our skin, providing hydration and volume that creates healthy, natural-looking results. Importantly, HA fillers themselves are not to blame for random side effects that may occur from other sources or unrelated health issues. The product has a well-established safety profile when used appropriately by qualified professionals.
Clinical studies consistently show that 97% of HA filler users are satisfied with their results and report natural-looking outcomes. This isn't marketing spin—it's peer-reviewed research that viral videos cannot debunk. Unwanted effects, including overfilling and migration, are extremely rare and typically result from inexperienced providers or improper technique, not from the products themselves. When complications do occur, HA fillers can be dissolved and removed, providing an important safety advantage over more permanent alternatives.
HA fillers are remarkably versatile and can be tailored to each patient's specific desires and anatomy. This customization capability allows skilled practitioners to deliver subtle, natural enhancements that complement rather than alter a person's appearance. It's also crucial to understand that HA fillers should not be lumped together with all dermal fillers or aesthetic treatments. These products have their own unique safety profile and clinical track record that differ significantly from non-HA alternatives.
Educated consumers make better healthcare decisions than government bureaucrats ever could. That's why the medical community believes the solution to misinformation isn't more regulation—it's better education and increased access to qualified healthcare professionals. Consumers deserve access to accurate, science-based information from board-certified professionals, not speculation from social media personalities seeking clicks and engagement.
The key is to encourage consumer empowerment through education. Patients should research treatments thoroughly, consult with qualified healthcare providers, and seek out practitioners with proper training and credentials. It is essential for patients to rely on trusted sources of information when researching aesthetic treatments. Discussing goals and concerns with healthcare professionals and trusted qualified injectors is not just important; it's the foundation of safe and successful outcomes.
The truth about HA fillers is simple: they're safe, effective, and provide natural-looking results when administered by qualified injectors. Twenty years of clinical evidence and millions of satisfied patients prove that these treatments work as intended, delivering the healthy, hydrated results that come from supplementing our body's own hyaluronic acid.
Most Americans believe in empowering consumers with facts over fear, choice over restriction, and market solutions over government overreach. When consumers have access to accurate information and qualified providers, they make decisions that overwhelmingly result in their desired outcome. Consumers deserve access to treatments that work, information they can trust, and the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions. This not only drives innovation which will create the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow, but ensures that there won’t be any shortage of patients expressing elation and relief for their filler results today.
Dr. Gregory Scimeca, MD, Medical Policy Advisor to CASE, is a graduate of Columbia University and Thomas Jefferson Medical College, specializing in ophthalmic surgery for more than 30 years, including more than 20 years of practice in cosmetic surgery and aesthetic skin care. His offices are located in PA and NJ in the Philadelphia region.
