From lip filler to ‘non-surgical lifts’, tweakments have never been more popular. But according to leading aesthetic doctors, despite near constant articles and social media dissections about what work A-listers have had done, not all treatments are ageing as well as patients had hoped.

In fact, many clinics are now seeing a rise in people wanting to reverse previous treatments altogether, swapping heavy, overfilled results for something softer, more natural and far more flattering.

So which procedures are experts quietly steering patients away from? We asked top doctors to reveal the treatments they see the most regret over – and the ones actually worth investigating further.

Dr Richard Devine, aesthetic doctor and founder of Devine Clinic, says thread lifts are one of the most regretted treatments – despite speculation that celebs like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and even Simon Cowell are fans.

‘Many feel the results don’t last as long as expected,’ Dr Devine explains, ‘particularly when compared to the initial lifting effect seen immediately after the procedure.’

‘Over time, some patients also report asymmetry, visible puckering or a subtle pulling sensation, which can make the outcome feel less natural. Because the lift relies on temporary threads rather than structural change, the improvement can fade quickly, leading patients to question whether the treatment was worth it.’

Another tweakment Dr Devine sees plenty of patients opting to reverse is jaw filler. ‘We’re also seeing a growing number of patients wanting to reverse overfilled faces,’ he says, ‘particularly in the jawline’.

Excessive volume in this area can create a bulky, heavy appearance rather than refined definition, and in some cases can alter facial proportions. Patients often come in asking for a more sculpted, natural contour, preferring subtle shaping that enhances their features without adding width or weight to the lower face.’

Dr Hassan Galadari, a dermatologist and aesthetics doctor, agrees, warning that what’s meant to sculpt can often do the opposite.

‘One of the biggest regrets we’re seeing now is overfilling,’ he says, ‘especially in the jawline and lower face. What was meant to create definition can actually make the face look heavier, bulkier, and less feminine.’

‘There’s been a clear shift, with more patients choosing to dissolve filler and move away from volume-based treatments, such as with hyaluronic acid fillers.’

Dr Nabil Jetha, aesthetic doctor and founder of Dr Nabil Jetha Clinic, says filler regret is still incredibly common – particularly when it comes to overdoing it. ‘Overfilled cheeks remain among the most commonly regretted treatments, with many patients now seeking a softer, more natural look.’

He also highlights under-eye filler as a key problem area. ‘Tear trough filler is another area we frequently dissolve,’ he says, ‘particularly where migration or puffiness has occurred because the patient wasn’t the right candidate.’

And for women, jawline filler can be especially tricky. ‘Jawline filler in women can also be regretted when it unintentionally masculinises the face by creating too much width.’

Dr Shagoon Modi, aesthetic doctor at Orskin Aesthetics, says lip filler is one of the most frequently reversed treatments right now. It’s perhaps no surprise, given celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Molly-Mae Hague have candidly discussed getting their lip fillers dissolved and opting for a more natural look.

‘Lip filler is one of the most frequently reversed treatments,’ Dr Modi says, ‘especially when patients feel they’ve developed what’s often described as a ‘duck lip’ appearance. The trend now is moving firmly towards more refined, balanced results, so many patients are choosing to dissolve filler and start again with a softer, more natural approach that better suits their facial proportions.’

It’s not just injectables that are causing problems. According to Dr Jetha, overdoing medical-grade skincare can be every bit as damaging.

‘We are seeing increasing regret around aggressive skincare and in-clinic treatments,’ he explains. ‘Overuse of chemical peels, harsh exfoliants and excessive cleansing can severely damage the skin barrier, sometimes triggering conditions such as perioral dermatitis [a common, inflammatory rash that looks like red, spotty skin].’

‘Ingredients like retinoids, when overused, can lead to retinoid dermatitis, another red-looking rash, leaving skin inflamed and sensitised. In more extreme cases, misuse of prescription-strength hydroquinone has resulted in complications such as exogenous ochronosis, a rare, often permanent skin disorder that causes blue-black or grey-brown hyperpigmentation.’

According to Anastasia Koles, aesthetic nurse and co-founder of ALTA Clinic Beverly Hills, the shift in the results people want is clear. ‘The biggest shift we’re seeing is that patients no longer want to look like they’ve had work done,’ she explains. ‘This aligns with the wider ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, where the focus is on fresh, natural and understated results. Increasingly, patients are coming to us specifically to reverse heavier treatments and replace them with something more refined and anatomically respectful.’

For lips, that means a rethink in approach. ‘Rather than simply adding volume, we focus on shape, definition and preserving the natural lip anatomy. The goal is lips that look like your own,

More broadly, the doctors talk about a move away from ‘replacement’ and towards ‘stimulation’ of the body’s own, natural resources. As Dr Khaled Rabaya, co-founder of ALTA Clinic Beverly Hills, explains: ‘On the facial filler side, we’re moving away from replacing volume with foreign material and towards treatments that stimulate the body’s own collagen production. Calcium-based biostimulators encourage the skin to rebuild from within, delivering results that look and feel more natural.’

‘Our overall philosophy is simple: inject less, inject precisely, allow everything to integrate, then reassess. Patients heal better, results last longer and, most importantly, nothing looks overdone.’