Latest news with #dermalfillers
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
FDA Panel Seeks More Data on Filler Use in Decolletage Area
A FDA advisory panel recommended that manufacturers of dermal fillers collect more information on use in the decolletage area of the body and said that some patients might be at higher risk of complications from injections because of the proximity to breast tissue. The FDA has not approved dermal fillers for use in the decolletage — a body area that advisory panel members said was not well-defined. It is generally considered the triangular area that runs from the neck and clavicle area to in between the breasts. Agency officials and committee members noted that fillers are increasingly being used off-label to improve skin texture, crepiness, skin thickness, fine lines, and wrinkles in the decolletage. The most common fillers used in the neck and decolletage are made up of hyaluronic acid (HA), calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), or poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA). At a meeting on August 13, the FDA's General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel was asked to review safety concerns, in anticipation that manufacturers will soon seek FDA approval of fillers for use in the decolletage area and need guidance on trial design and post-marketing studies. The agency raised the possibility that fillers could migrate from the injection site or form nodules and/or granulomas and interfere with mammograms, cause false positive readings on breast imaging or clinical exams, or impact breast feeding and lymphatic drainage. The committee — made up of dermatologists, plastic surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists — did not formally vote. The panel members agreed that patients who are breastfeeding or pregnant should be excluded from receiving injections because of the unknowns. Individuals with darker skin types or known wound-healing issues — both of whom might easily form keloids or nodules — or those with a history of radiotherapy, lymphoma, or other blood cancers were also seen as potentially higher risk populations, said panel chairman Hobart Harris, MD, MPH, the J. Engelbert Dunphy endowed chair in surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. Sandra R. Shuffett, MD, a breast imaging specialist in Lexington, Kentucky, and temporary panel member, said she was concerned that fillers could obscure tumors on breast imaging tests. 'My focus is to find a cancer as small as possible,' she said, adding that an unseen tumor could quickly grow larger, necessitating more serious treatment. The FDA has not received reports of problems with breast feeding or imaging but a post-approval study of Radiesse (CaHA) found that it obscured bone visualization. There have also been reports of lymph node enlargement near dermal filler injection sites. FDA reviewer Sung Yoon, MD, said at the meeting that the agency is 'not aware of specific reports where breast cancer was missed' because of dermal filler but noted that off-label use might mean less reporting of adverse events. Yoon told the panel that an analysis of the FDA's Medical Device Reporting database found 20 reports of serious injury events associated with the use of dermal fillers in the decolletage area since 2007 out of 186 reports related to unapproved upper body use. It is not possible to know how many decolletage procedures have been performed, she said. The FDA reported that an estimated 6.2 million dermal filler procedures were performed in 2024. Radiesse manufacturer, Merz Aesthetics, told the panel that, between 2018 and 2025, it received 44 reports of potential adverse events in the decolletage area, with none reporting migration of material or radiological interference. Radiesse is approved for decolletage wrinkles in the European Union and Canada. Social media may be fueling more use of fillers in the decolletage, especially among those taking GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss who are seeking 'to improve the skin rippling in the chest,' said Karol A. Gutowski, MD, a Chicago-based plastic surgeon who spoke to the committee. Representatives from dermatology and plastic surgery organizations said they had crafted guidelines for safe use of fillers in the decolletage but warned that filler use was often unregulated. 'Filler adverse events are likely under reported, and they're increasing in frequency as the popularity of injectable fillers increases,' said M. Laurin Council, MD, director of dermatologic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, who spoke to the panel on behalf of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Many panelists suggested women undergo baseline breast imaging before receiving filler in the decolletage area and collecting more data — such as on the volume of filler used during procedures — and added that perhaps a registry should be created. But some were skeptical. 'Probably 75% of these injections are done by non-medical people,' such as attendants at medical spas or storefront wellness centers, said panelist Alan Matarasso, MD, a New York City-based plastic surgeon and past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Matarasso said that manufacturers should be responsible for tracking their products, not clinicians. 'When these things are being done in strip malls and other places, we're not going to get the data that we need, because people are not going to cooperate with this,' said Gutowski. There is no approved method of removing dermal fillers. That gave some panel members pause. But dermatologists and plastic surgeons said that HA-based fillers could be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Even so, CaHA and PLLA fillers can't be dissolved and 'must break down naturally over time,' said Natalie Curcio, MD, MPH, a Nashville-based dermatologist who spoke to the panel on behalf of the AADA. Temporary committee member Karla V. Ballman, PhD, professor of biostatistics at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, said that patients should be informed, perhaps via wording on a product label that 'at the current time, there is no approved method of removal' of a filler. The FDA has periodically examined dermal filler safety. In July 2023, the agency updated its informational webpage to describe a new risk of delayed-onset inflammation near treatment sites that had been reported to occur following viral or bacterial illnesses or infections, vaccinations, or dental procedures. The webpage also lists common reactions such as bruising, redness, swelling, and pain. At the panel meeting, consumer advocate Diana Zuckerman, PhD, president of the National Center for Health Research, said that listing adverse events was not enough. 'Risks should be quantified with meaningful statistical data on the short term and long term risks,' said Zuckerman, who spoke during the open public hearing. 'FDA should require well designed and full clinical trials so that patients have the information they need to make informed decisions,' she said. 'FDA really appreciates the thoughtful discussion questions and recommendations that have been provided today, and we will certainly take all of these comments into consideration as we move forward,' said Cynthia Chang, PhD, an acting division director within the agency's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
The Independent
10-08-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Labour's new cosmetic industry regulations could have saved my face
New restrictions to crack down on practitioners of cosmetic 'tweakments', such as Botox and dermal fillers, as well as higher-risk procedures like liquid Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs), will be introduced by the government. It follows a long list of nightmare scenarios, where people have been treated by practitioners with little or no medical training, resulting in dangerous complications, including permanent scarring, as happened to me, or even death. According to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, complaints are through the roof, with reports of 'rogue operators' carrying out operations on kitchen tables, administering dangerous injections in people's sitting rooms, hotels, and pop-up clinics –and even public toilet cubicles. Karin Smyth, a health minister who is determined to put an end to the backstreet cosmetic industry, said new regulation of beauty practitioners will 'root out the cowboys' and support 'honest and competent' practitioners. 'The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a Wild West of dodgy practitioners and procedures,' she said. 'This government is taking action.' Under the new proposals, only qualified health professionals will be able to carry out risky non-surgical BBLs, and clinics will need to meet strict rules to obtain the necessary licensing to offer Botox and fillers. There will be new age restrictions on certain procedures to protect under-18s from being tempted into potentially dangerous beauty trends popularised on social media. The government said it will launch a consultation next year to investigate the whole range of procedures that should be covered in the new measures. All well and good – but these developments come too late for many people like me who have fallen victim to the cowboys. Labour's safeguarding proposals could have saved me from being covered in burns when, in 2008, I had IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser treatment in a London spa to clear up pigmentation caused by sun damage. As the technician ran the machine over my chest and face, I felt excruciating pain. When I got home and looked in the mirror, I screamed. I looked like I'd been branded. My chest was covered in rectangular-shaped red burn marks; I couldn't sleep or put on clothes. The next day, I marched off to a top private doctor at a dermatology clinic who prescribed me creams to help the burns and treated me safely with IPL to help smooth out the uneven skin tones left from the initial treatment on my chest, which to this day leaves me looking stripy if I go in the sun. Practitioners who use IPL or lasers exclusively for cosmetic purposes, as was the case for me, don't have to register with the Care Quality Commission or be medically trained. However, some local councils in England require all practitioners who use IPL and lasers to register with them. Even back in 2008, doctors like mine were trying to lobby the government to get proper regulations so that such treatments could only be done by medically trained individuals. IPL is commonly used in hair salons and sunbed shops for hair removal, and in the wrong hands can easily lead to disasters. I had another near-miss a few years ago when a friend's mum recommended a Botox practitioner for just £200 – I had it done in the woman's kitchen. When, after 10 days, I'd noticed no difference bar a droopy eyebrow, I rang her to ask what the hell was going on. She told me she'd been sent a dud batch and offered to redo it for free (I didn't go back). I later paid double the price to get Botox done properly by a top doctor, but threw the towel in on realising I can't afford £500 every three months. There are so many such stories. My hairdresser ended up in A&E after she had under-eye filler done through a practitioner recommended on Instagram – when it swelled up on a flight, she feared her face would explode. Last year, Alice Webb, a mum of five, died after having a BBL in England. She was only 33. In hindsight, it's terrifying. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned of 41 cases of botulism poisoning in England between 4 June and 6 August after the suspected use of unlicensed Botox-like products in cosmetic procedures - no doubt bought on the cheap online, as mine might have been. Patients reported reactions such as difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and breathing difficulties, which meant they needed respiratory support. The government still needs to work out exactly how to enforce the new proposed regulations. But before the new laws come into play, which could take years, the government is urging the public to ask for the provider's qualifications and insurance, and to be on high alert over 'suspiciously cheap' offers. Overall, this is a very welcome leap forward for patient safety. But people like me should never have been left to the cowboys in the first place.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Waldencast Acquires Novaestiq Corp. and U.S. Rights to Leading Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Gel Line, Saypha®, Under the Obagi Medical Brand
Acquisition strengthens Obagi Medical's product portfolio with proven, scientifically backed, injectable portfolio New products position Obagi Medical at the forefront of health, beauty and aesthetics convergence LONDON, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Waldencast plc (NASDAQ: WALD) ('Waldencast'), a global multi-brand beauty and wellness platform, today announced that it has acquired Novaestiq Corp. (Novaestiq), a growth-oriented aesthetic and medical dermatological innovations company, as well as the U.S. rights to the Saypha® line of hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable gels. The strategic acquisition expands Obagi Medical's offerings beyond U.S. medical-grade skincare, a market projected to be $2.2 billion by 2029, into the growing U.S. dermal filler market, projected to reach $2 billion in market size by 2029, effectively doubling its addressable market.1 The move marks a pivotal step in positioning Obagi Medical as an industry leader in integrated skincare and aesthetic solutions. 'We are excited to further diversify Obagi Medical's portfolio of medical-grade skincare with consumer centric, in-office injectable procedures through the introduction of the Obagi Medical Saypha® ChIQ™ and MagIQ™ lines of injectable HA gels,' said Michel Brousset, Co-Founder and CEO of Waldencast. 'Adding proven products into our portfolio increases our addressable market and allows us to deliver solutions for professionals and patients seeking both skincare and aesthetic treatments, all under the trusted Obagi Medical brand.' Obagi Medical's philosophy advocates for a holistic, science-driven approach where potent skincare and professional procedures work in tandem to achieve and maintain optimal skin health and a youthful appearance. These injectable products will play a pivotal role in the evolution of Obagi Medical into an end-to-end, synergistic solution that integrates medical-grade skincare with aesthetic treatments to deliver enhanced outcomes, prolonged results, and greater patient satisfaction. Beyond the two current offerings, the Novaestiq transaction provides access to a future pipeline of novel injectables in North America. Saypha®,2 currently undergoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, is recognized globally as a proven, safe and efficacious HA injectable with high levels of patient satisfaction. The new Obagi Medical injectable portfolio is supported by an industry-leading clinical program that reflects the brand's commitment to science-backed innovation. Core pivotal studies are more than twice the size of typical nasolabial fold (NLF) and midface trials and include the highest representation of Fitzpatrick Skin Types I, V, and VI – underscoring Obagi Medical's mission to provide effective solutions for all skin types and tones. Saypha® is distinguished by its proprietary technology delivering advanced HA treatments through a stable 3D matrix designed to provide natural-looking results with optimally balanced gel characteristics. This technology powers a portfolio of clinically proven products that lead in multiple performance categories including high HA content at injection, ideal gel distribution, and consistent injection force and swelling behavior. Saypha®, a product of Croma-Pharma GmbH, is developed and manufactured in Austria and marketed in over 80 countries, leveraging 40 years of expertise in HA-based treatments with more than 110 million syringes produced. This global reach and deep market insight allow for the delivery of trusted, personalized care to patients and professionals worldwide. 'We believe that great results start with great skincare and are perfected with great after care,' said Dr. Suzan Obagi, Chief Medical Director at Obagi Medical. 'By combining Obagi Medical skincare with injectable procedures under the guidance of a qualified professional, patients can achieve more significant, longer-lasting, and natural-looking results. This acquisition also allows our professionals to offer patients more personalized, higher quality and safer products that their customers are looking for.' Obagi Medical's vision is to become the #1 Dermatological Mega Brand uniquely serving all the needs of physicians, patients and consumers globally. It is already the fastest-growing U.S. professional-skincare brand among the top ten in its category.3 This momentum is powered by a three-pronged strategy: anchoring products in dermatological science, introducing breakthrough innovations, and expanding its global reach. Brousset added, 'We are thrilled to introduce this new offering that will strengthen Obagi Medical's market position, drive innovation, and create new growth opportunities in our fast-evolving industry. We see an accelerating global convergence of health, beauty, and aesthetics – an intersection where Obagi Medical is uniquely positioned to lead. We also plan to leverage this acquisition to expand Obagi Medical's footprint.' Transaction DetailsUnder the terms of the definitive agreement relating to the transaction, Waldencast has agreed to acquire Novaestiq in exchange for (1) certain amount of cash payable at closing, (2) certain additional ongoing royalties based on net sales of Saypha® products, and (3) the contingent issuance of Waldencast class A shares (equal to approximately 7% of Waldencast's fully diluted class A shares), based on the receipt of FDA approval relating to the Saypha® products (triggering the issuance of 3,273,000 Waldencast class A shares) and the achievement of cumulative net revenue thresholds of (a) $100 million (triggering the issuance of an additional 3,273,000 Waldencast class A shares) and (b) $200 million (triggering the further issuance of 3,273,000 Waldencast class A shares), respectively, reflecting meaningful long-term commercial targets, with (a) and (b) being earnable until June 20, 2031. The details of the transaction will be summarized in more detail in a Form 6-K that Waldencast will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') following this press release. About WaldencastFounded by Michel Brousset and Hind Sebti, Waldencast's ambition is to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness operating platform by developing, acquiring, accelerating, and scaling conscious, high-growth purpose-driven brands. Waldencast's vision is fundamentally underpinned by its brand-led business model that ensures proximity to its customers, business agility, and market responsiveness, while maintaining each brand's distinct DNA. The first step in realizing its vision was the business combination with Obagi Medical and Milk Makeup. As part of the Waldencast platform, its brands will benefit from the operational scale of a multi-brand platform; the expertise in managing global beauty brands at scale; a balanced portfolio to mitigate category fluctuations; asset light efficiency; and the market responsiveness and speed of entrepreneurial indie brands. For more information please visit: . About Obagi MedicalObagi Medical is an industry-leading, advanced skincare line rooted in research and skin biology, with a legacy of 35+ years of experience. Initially known for its leadership in the treatment of hyperpigmentation with the Obagi Nu-Derm® System, Obagi Medical products are designed to address a variety of skin concerns, including premature aging, photodamage, skin discoloration, acne, and sun damage. As the fastest-growing professional skincare brand in the U.S. in 2024,3 Obagi Medical empowers individuals to achieve healthy, beautiful skin. More information about Obagi is available on the brand's website, 1In preparing for this transaction, Waldencast engaged management consulting services from a reputed global consulting firm. 2Saypha® products are not approved medical devices, and each product has a premarket approval (PMA) application under review by the FDA. 3Among the Top 10 Professional Skin Care Brands in the U.S., according to Kline's 2024 Global Professional Skin Care Series (China, Europe and the U.S.). AdvisorsHolland & Knight LLP is serving as Waldencast's legal advisor, with support from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Experium Capital Advisers is serving as Waldencast's financial advisor. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the intended benefits of the transaction with Novaestiq, the ability to obtain FDA approval for Saypha®, the contingent issuance of Waldencast class A shares, and the growth strategies of Waldencast, including Obagi Medical and Novaestiq. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words 'estimates,' 'projects,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'forecasts,' 'plans,' 'intends,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'may,' 'will,' 'would,' 'should,' 'future,' 'propose,' 'target,' 'goal,' 'objective,' 'outlook' and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the control of Waldencast, Obagi Medical and Novaestiq that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include, but are not limited to: (i) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the transaction; (ii) the inability to obtain FDA approval for one or both of the Saypha® products; (iii) the general impact of geopolitical events, including the impact of current wars, conflicts and other hostilities; (iv) the overall economic and market conditions, sales forecasts and other information about Waldencast's possible or assumed future results of operations or our performance; (v) changes in general economic conditions; (vi) the impact of any international trade or foreign exchange restrictions, the imposition of new or increased tariffs, foreign currency exchange fluctuations; (vii) that the price of Waldencast's securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including Waldencast's, Obagi Medical's or Novaestiq's inability to implement their business plans; and (viii) the ability to implement Waldencast's strategic initiatives and continue to innovate Obagi Medical's existing products and anticipate and respond to market trends and changes in consumer preferences. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the 'Risk Factors' section of Waldencast's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 20, 2025, or in other documents that may be filed or furnished by Waldencast from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Waldencast assumes no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contacts InvestorsICRinvestors@ MediaICRwaldencast@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kim Zolciak's daughter Brielle Biermann reveals mother's influence on her 'botched' cosmetic procedures
Brielle Biermann pointed the finger at her mother when she discussed her history of dramatic cosmetic procedures for an upcoming spinoff episode of Botched. In a clip for Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind, the 28-year-old daughter of Kim Zolciak said that it was her mom who took her to her very first lip filler appointment. Brielle also said that Kim — whose other daughter Ariana claimed had been stealing her teen modeling earnings with her estranged husband Kroy Biermann — would take her to her own cosmetic procedure appointments and speak openly of all her touchups in front of her children, which influenced her own attitude toward abundant dermal filler use. has reached out to representatives for Kim and Brielle for comment. While speaking with the plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow, the nepo baby — who revealed a rapidly reversed desire to dissolve her lip filler at the start of 2020 — admitted that she wanted to reverse the affects of her numerous filler procedures, including deposits around her cheek bones that she thought were overly plump and asymmetrical. She also shared the shocking confession that getting filler injections became so common for her that it was 'like getting a Diet Coke.' Brielle also told Dr. Terry Dubrow (R) that Kim would take her to her cosmetic procedure appointments and speak openly of all her touchups in front of her children, which influenced Brielle's attitude toward abundant dermal filler use 'I had just turned 18 when I first got my lips done,' Brielle admitted as Dubrow's mouth dropped open in shock. 'I graduated high school and the second I graduated, my mom took me to LA and I got my lips done by the doctor [that] everybody was getting their lips done [from] at the time. Dubrow interrupted to ask if the other doctor showed any hesitation about giving lip fillers to an 18-year-old patient. 'No, it was like, "Get in the chair, let's go,"' she recounted. In a cut to a separate talking head–style interview, Dubrow cautions providers to be wary of using filler on young patients, as the substance — which is often used to erase the visible signs of aging — can instead make young patients look prematurely old. According to the Cleveland Clinic, fillers tend to be synthetic or naturally occuring substances that are injected to smooth out lines and plump skin, particularly around the mouth, eyes or even nose. Fat from a patient's body can even be removed and then injected into their face to create a fuller appearance in the chosen spot. Although Brielle has expressed disappointment about her overly plump lips multiple times in recent years, it was filler under her eyes — around her cheek bones — that seemed to trouble her most. Ironically, Kim claimed in an interview with Dubrow in the same clip that she had counseled her oldest daughter to steer clear of under-eye filler, despite having allegedly played a role in normalizing other filler procedures for her. 'I told her to never do that under her eyes,' the former Real Housewives Of Atlanta star claimed, adding that she and Brielle were on the same page about regrets over the procedure. 'But, sometimes you've got to let them go and learn on their own, even though I was like, "Please don't."' Brielle admitted that she was happy with the under-eye filler at first, but now she found it to be 'so puffy,' with one side looking 'more full than the other.' I was always going with her to her doctors appointments. I feel like she was mostly getting every laser you could think of to remain youthful. So then every month, 'I'm like I need to get my lips done. 'Filler became like getting a Diet Coke,' she admitted. 'The under-eye filler just became like an insecurity that I didn't even really know I had.' Brielle noted that she had been a reality television fixture since she was 10 years old, and the clip then cut to an excerpt of an earlier show in which she received a luxury handbag as a birthday present. Kim, who looks dramatically different from her current appearance, hams it up and shouts at her daughter to 'smile' to show that she's happy about getting the present she asked for. In a confessional interview, Brielle admitted that Kim 'was always going to get botox and lip filler, and watching my mom go through this kind of just made it seem normal.' As evidence of Kim's openness about her cosmetic procedures and surgery, an old clip was included in which Kim boasts, 'The next time you see me, I'll have a new set of t***ies.' Brielle claimed she would eventually get 'hit up' by doctors offering her free injections and free surgeries on the condition that she post about the work she had done on social media to help advertise their practices. Because of those offers — and the money she made as a result of her social media posts to show off their work — she became hyper-fixated on any perceived imperfections with her face. 'Anything I saw that I felt like I could go fix, I would go and I would fix it!' Brielle admitted. She previously admitted at the beginning of 2020 that she had decided to dissolve all of her lip filler because of how dramatic her pout had become by late 2019. However, months later she added back some filler and revealed that she had wanted fuller lips since she was a teen because many of her friends had plumper lips than she did, and her mother concurred about her voicing that desire. Then, in 2023, Brielle shared a before and after photo comparing her overly plump 2019 lips with her still plump but considerably more natural lips at the time. 'Bit of a personal post,' she captioned her post. 'All I'm gonna say is if you start to get lip filler… Go to someone who will tell you no.' The beauty continued, 'At that time in my life (on the left) I had too many chefs in the kitchen… I went to too many injectors, none of which would tell me no!' In 2023, Brielle shared a before and after photo comparing her overly plump 2019 lips with her still plump but more natural lips at the time. She warned any fans who wanted lip fillers to 'go to someone who will tell you no' She admitted: 'I would be injected, get used to the new size of my lips, and then think I needed more. I still love some filler but listen to someone who went through it… Do not get overfilled!' Kim's appearance with her daughter comes after she and her estranged husband Kroy Biermann were forced out of their mansion near Atlanta last month by police amid their financial woes and dramatic divorce conflict. Other stars who will be featured on the Botched spinoff include Danity Kane singer Aubrey O'Day, former Playboy model Kathy Brown, Love And Hip Hop: Atlanta star Jessica Dime, 90 Day Fiancé star Larissa Santos Lima and multiple influencers, including Sebastian Bails, Sophia Elgerabli and Alan McGarry. The new show is hosted by Michelle Visage of RuPaul's Drag Race fame, along with Botched fixtures Dubrow and body-image expert Dr. Spirit, PhD. Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind premieres on E! on Wednesday, July 9, and it will be available to stream on Peacock seven days after it airs on television.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Fillers triggered painful skin condition that left teenager looking ‘like an alien'
An influencer who experienced a severe reaction to dermal fillers, resulting in a psoriasis diagnosis, has discovered a product that alleviates his inflamed skin. Charlie Michael Baker, 18, from Preston, Lancashire, began receiving dermal fillers in March 2024 to address insecurities about his chin. However, as the fillers dissolved, he developed red spots that evolved into dry, flaky patches across his body. Diagnosed with psoriasis, Baker described waking up in "a puddle of dry skin and with blood patches on the bed sheets." He found himself moisturising up to 15 times daily to manage the discomfort. Baker said his appearance took a toll on his mental health, with negative comments on social media comparing his skin to Parmesan cheese. After trying 'thousands' of skincare products but finding none were successful, Charlie stumbled across a brand called Oregon Skincare in February this year that has worked wonders for his complexion, and his psoriasis is 'on the verge' of going into remission – although there is a chance it could flare up again at any point in the future. 'At one point, I looked like an alien, my face was completely red,' Charlie, who is also an author, told PA Real Life. 'I'm trying to advocate for those with psoriasis because people don't know what it is, it's not a disease, it's not contagious. 'Anyone with psoriasis is beautiful, you're not ugly, you're not Parmesan cheese for a pasta – and if anyone says anything like that, message me, I'm here to help.' Charlie first received dermal fillers in March 2024, getting injections in his chin, cheeks and lips, as well as having Botox in his forehead and eyebrows. 'I originally went in for chin filler because I've got a bit of a bum chin and being in the public eye, it made me the most insecure person ever,' he said. Around three months later, Charlie started to notice changes in his complexion as the filler began to dissolve. 'It looked like spots at first, like little red spots, and they were just very dry,' he said. 'Then it just started spreading and spreading and spreading.' Charlie explained that as the fillers dissolved and passed through his stomach, it caused a chemical imbalance for him, which ultimately triggered a skin condition known as psoriasis – flaky patches of skin which form scales – that covered him from 'head to toe'. 'It burns, it's so itchy, it's all in my scalp – I would have to moisturise at least 15 times a day,' he said. 'When it was really bad, I would literally have to stand in the shower for 40 minutes. 'When I go to bed, I'll wake up in a puddle of dry skin and with blood patches on the bed sheets, we just throw them away.' Charlie said his appearance weighed heavily on his mental health. 'My mental health took a massive knock from having this bright red face, having everyone turn their heads at me like I'm some sort of alien that's just climbed down from space,' he said. 'It was a long period of mental disrepair for me and my career went on a full standstill. 'Honestly, I wouldn't wish this on anyone.' Charlie said he would also receive 'tens of thousands' of negative comments and messages on social media due to his complexion. 'I remember one comment on one of my TikToks when my skin was really dry, someone wrote 'how lovely, some Parmesan for the pasta',' he said. 'I couldn't believe someone would sit there and comment that. 'Now I don't read the comments anymore.' Charlie was officially diagnosed with psoriasis by his GP in July 2024. 'There's no cure, so I've got this for the rest of my life, I have to suffer in pain until I die,' he said. 'It flares up when you're older as well – can you imagine that wrinkly skin with crusty psoriasis? It's going to be hell.' Charlie said he now has to avoid certain products that come into contact with his skin, such as laundry detergent, fragrances and makeup. He was initially prescribed immune suppressants and steroid creams to keep the pain and redness at bay, but found they did not work for him. 'I've tried thousands and thousands of skincare products but none of them worked,' he added. After months of searching high and low, Charlie stumbled across a brand in February this year called Oregon Skincare, who focus on scaly skin and scalp care. Charlie said he mostly uses the moisturiser and shampoo from their range, with the latter helping greatly with his dry and flaky scalp. 'Oregon Skincare has been the only one that has actually tackled not only the dryness, but also the redness,' he said. 'They are one of the best skincare products I've ever used on my skin, they sit very high on my dressing table.' As a result, Charlie said his scalp is 'psoriasis-free', his skin is much better and he is 'on the verge' of going into psoriasis remission – although he could experience a flare-up at any point in the future. 'There are certain parts of my skin where it's almost like my natural skin colour,' he said. 'When psoriasis fully heals, which it can do and you can go into remission, you will still have little outlines of where the redness was which is kind of where it's at for me. 'It's the best it's ever been in a whole year and the psoriasis on my face is completely gone.'
