British man spent £3,500 on filler addiction; now warns of the risks
At 25, Christopher Sharratt describes his descent into extreme cosmetic procedures and his decision to undo the changes
A 25-year-old man from Staffordshire, England, says he spent about £3,500 on facial fillers over several years, beginning when he was 17. He is now speaking out about the dangers of extreme cosmetic procedures and his decision to reverse the changes in a bid to reclaim a natural appearance. The lessons he shares come as concerns grow about how fillers are marketed, accessed, and regulated in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Sharratt first received injectable fillers as a teenager after lying about his age to obtain the treatments. Over time, the money he invested mounted to a sum he describes as “like half a house deposit, for God’s sake,” reflecting the scale of the commitment. He says the initial swell from each injection offered a quick, visible boost that kept him returning for more. “You have a mill [millimeter] and your lips swell up or wherever you have it on your face. And you’re like, oh my God, this swelling looks so good. And a week later, the swelling goes down and you’re like, oh c***, I need to go and get another mil,” he told Newsweek.
The pattern developed into a psychological cycle rather than a simple aesthetic choice. Dr. Cali Estes, a psychologist and addiction expert, explained that while fillers are not chemically addictive, they can become psychologically addictive. “Each injection gives an instant confidence boost, and the brain starts chasing that dopamine hit again—just like checking likes on social media,” Estes said. The phenomenon has been described in medical literature as “aesthetic blindness,” a condition in which people who begin using fillers no longer notice the cumulative changes to their appearance and continue seeking more enhancements.
Sharratt says the cycle intensified as he pursued further injections, chasing the momentary swelling that satisfied him at the time. The result was a transformation that became harder to reverse, even as the same effect waned over time. In the context of the COVID‑19 lockdown, when access to fillers was restricted, he looked back at older photos and had what he calls an epiphany: “I actually didn’t look that bad. I should have been a bit nicer to myself.”
During the lockdown period, Sharratt began considering a withdrawal from the procedures that had defined him for years. The process of undoing the changes proved grueling: four rounds of dissolver injections were required to remove the filler. “I had four rounds of dissolver because I had so much filler in my lip,” he recalled. “Cheeks and jaw were easy to get rid of, but I actually had to start pulling my lips out and putting it in the back because there was nowhere else to fill out. It did take four whole rounds of dissolving to get rid of it.” The experience was not only physically demanding but emotionally taxing as well.
![Sharratt mid-transformation]https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/christopher-sharratt-i-addicted-filler-111807421.jpg?w=1024
Now filler-free, Sharratt says he feels more like himself; he reports increased approachability and confidence from people who feel comfortable starting conversations with him. He hopes his story prompts broader conversation about the risks of cosmetic procedures and the need for better regulation. “Hopefully I can be one of the few people to put their hand up, say I’ve made a mistake, and we need to do something about this,” he said.
Regulatory concerns around cosmetic fillers have long been a topic of debate. In the United States, dermal fillers are regulated by the FDA, with age restrictions and guidelines that generally restrict use to adults, and require administration by licensed medical professionals. In the UK, observers have criticized the lack of medical oversight in many settings where fillers are offered, including salons and non-clinical environments. Sharratt argues that more stringent regulation is essential and that no 17-year-old should be obtaining fillers. “There needs to be so much more regulation in place,” he said. “No 17-year-old should be going to get fillers. Nobody.”
Medical experts warn of additional risks beyond regulatory gaps. Estes highlighted potential complications that can arise from filler use, including rare but serious outcomes such as vision loss. She stressed the importance of psychological screening and ethical safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly those with body dysmorphia or addiction tendencies, from pursuing risky procedures.
Sharratt also pointed to the broader issue of informed consent. He says patients are frequently not presented with long-term considerations, such as the possibility that fillers may not dissolve completely and can migrate over time. “Nobody tells you that it doesn’t dissolve completely… It moves around your face,” Estes noted.
As he continues to adjust to a life without fillers, Sharratt hopes to serve as a cautionary example to others who may be drawn to the rapid confidence boost offered by cosmetic procedures. He stresses that true self-confidence should come from within, not from a syringe, and he believes his experience underscores the need for more education, oversight, and mental-health support surrounding cosmetic enhancements.
![Final transformation]https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/christopher-sharratt-i-addicted-filler-111807420.jpg?w=768
In a landscape where pressure to look “perfect” remains pervasive, Sharratt’s story highlights the importance of careful consideration, informed consent, and a cautious approach to cosmetic enhancements. While aesthetic improvements can be positive for many, his experience indicates that the lure of instant results can carry long-term costs for some individuals—and that safeguards, rather than marketing hype, are needed to help people avoid a cycle of dependency.
![Recovery and reflection]https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/christopher-sharratt-i-addicted-filler-111807419.jpg?w=819