2 months post under my eye filler and it has already disappeared but was told it would last 12, could working out cause this?

Thank you for your question. You state you had under eye filler done which was stated to last 12 months, but it only lasted 2. You are asking if going to the gym several times a week can cause this.
I can certainly guide you with this. I’m Dr. Amiya Prasad. I’m a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon and Fellowship Trained Oculoplastic Surgeon. I’ve been in practice in Manhattan and Long Island for over 20 years. I administer cosmetic fillers in my practice every day, from the under eye area for hollowing, upper eyelid hollowing, the lips, and to address facial volume loss due to aging in the cheeks, chin, and jawline.
Fillers used in the under eye area are usually the softest fillers so they are malleable with facial expressions. My preferred filler for the under eye area is Restylane, or Restylane-L, which has a stated longevity of 6 months. I also use Juvederm Ultra, has a stated longevity of 9 months. While these fillers can last as long as 12 months, it really depends on individual metabolism, as you imply yours may be faster due to working out regularly and often. For some people they last longer than their expected range, and in some people shorter.
To answer your question, the rate of breakdown of filler does not increase with exercise. The principle of increasing exercise to burn fat does not apply to filler. You can’t workout so hard that you start burning hyaluronic acid filler.
There are a few possibilities with what happened in your case. As previously mentioned, it is possible that you lost facial fat volume in other parts of the face such as the upper cheeks, making your face look smaller or hollow. The fat that causes eye bags won’t be burned due to exercise, but other facial fat volume can be lost through intense exercise. It could have been that not enough filler was applied. Swelling after the procedure can make the volume look more than there actually is, or the filler may not have fully settled. It is routine for me to see patients two weeks after filler application to see see how the filler has settled, see the results, and if additional enhancement is needed. The other possibility is that you may have metabolized the filler quickly, but two months is pretty fast. You may have metabolized it quickly because only a little filler material was placed. With under eye filler, it is also important to place in the right area. Filler in the eye are can be displaced if it isn’t put in the right anatomic space, and can go into areas around the eyes. The risk of incorrect placement goes up when you have someone other than a doctor or surgeon who knows the internal anatomy well, such as a nurse or aesthetician. While hyaluronic acid itself is safe to migrate, you won’t get the cosmetic effect you want if it does migrate.
I suggest you have filler done again, but make sure you have it done by a doctor who knows the eye area well, such as surgeon who performs eyelid surgery. If it doesn’t last so long again, then you will confirm it’s your metabolism. If it does last longer, and the same brand of filler is used, then it was due to technique. I hope you found this information helpful. Thank you for your question.

Hi sarahgg4 , Patients who exercise has a tendency to metabolize their filler (or even neuromodulators like Botox) quicker.  It is unlikely that it would disappear in two months but most likely has settled deeper. Injecting the tear trough is best done on top of the bone to avoid any unwanted bulging. It is likely that you will need more after the product has settled. The choice of filler is also important. Thank you for your question.
Ladie Arana-Domondon, MD, FACP

There are many factors that can lead to pre-mature loss of filler.  Those who exercise more can metabolize products more quickly in general, though 2 months seems quite short.  Other factors can include the product chosen, the technique used, the quantity injected.  I see only a few patients a year that have this issue, so it is quite rare.  Switching to a different product may solve the problem.  Another great option is fat grafting to the under eye area, which has the potential to last many years.