As Molly-Mae Hague reflects on her filler journey in her new documentary, Living360 investigates why young people are going under the knife now more than ever.
It’s with a laugh — half horrified, half self-aware — that Molly-Mae Hague looks down at her phone. “If filler was permanent,” she muses, “I could have done some real damage to my face.”
The camera pans to her phone screen, revealing a younger Molly-Mae at 21, her features exaggerated into something nearly unrecognisable: cheekbones jutting with improbable prominence, lips visibly lumpy, her face caught in a strange, sculpted hourglass effect. A caricature, self-crafted.
The clip is a teaser for the second instalment of Molly-Mae: Behind It All, the highly anticipated documentary slated for a spring 2025 release. Now 25, Molly-Mae offers a rare, behind-the-curtain look at her life as a social media influencer and first-time mother.
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‘Influencer’ may be one of the most tossed-around terms of the digital era, often applied with indiscriminate generosity to anyone with a decent social following. But Molly-Mae, who rose to fame on Love Island before parlaying that notoriety into a bona fide lifestyle empire, embodies the term in its truest form. She’s not simply riding the tide of internet fame — she’s commanding it.
Nowhere is this influence more apparent than in the documentary’s episode chronicling the launch of Molly-Mae’s fashion brand, Maebe. The camera follows throngs of fans, some of whom have flown in from across the globe, as they queue up for a chance to step inside a pop-up store for the brand and get a glimpse of their favourite influencer. Their devotion to Molly-Mae is unmistakable — many bear her aesthetic imprint: platinum blonde hair, laminated brows and lips kissed by the unmistakable plumpness of filler.
The scene underscores a curious truth: even as Molly-Mae publicly declared in 2021 that she had dissolved her facial filler after viral photos made her confront the extent of her cosmetic alterations, the influence she exerts remains deeply embedded in a culture that prizes such enhancements. Her decision to ‘go natural’ has been well documented, yet the allure of aesthetic intervention — the promise of sculpted cheekbones and poutier lips — remains strong.
It’s not just anecdotal. According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, around 75% of plastic surgeons have reported a notable uptick in clients under the age of 30 seeking cosmetic procedures.
L360 spoke to cosmetic surgery experts to understand why we’re seeing such a spike in young people seeking treatments.
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The influence of social media
The impact of social media on beauty standards cannot be overstated. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok serve as both inspiration and pressure points, inundating users with an endless stream of curated images and contoured faces.
Plastic surgeon Dr Paul Banwell has seen first-hand how the digital age shapes aesthetic desires. “Many patients come to me with their phones in hand, showing me pictures of what they want to look like,” he says. “They’re tired of editing their photos. But the truth is, those images aren’t reality.”
Grace Carter, who first got Botox at 23, admits that social media played a major role in her decision. “Everywhere I looked, beauty influencers, dermatologists and regular people were sharing their Botox experiences,” she says. “On TikTok, ‘before and after’ videos made Botox seem like a normal part of a self-care routine — almost a necessity.”
Filters and digital enhancements only heighten this phenomenon, creating an idealised aesthetic that young people are eager to replicate in real life. Dr Banwell points out how ingrained these tools have become. “Social media is saturated with digital enhancements. Filters and apps reshape faces and bodies entirely, and people start believing that’s normal.”
The pressure to conform to these artificial standards has led many young people to seek cosmetic procedures earlier than ever.
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The rise of preventative and subtle procedures
Unlike previous generations, who often turned to cosmetic procedures later in life to correct signs of ageing, a rising number of Gen Z are focused on prevention and maintenance. Dr Nora, a specialist in cosmetic and medical dermatology at the Rejuvenation Clinic, notes a growing demand for “subtle enhancements rather than dramatic transformations.”
These so-called ‘tweakments’ include regenerative skin treatments, collagen banking, amino acid therapy and micro-contouring — where small amounts of high-quality dermal filler are used to subtly refine facial proportions.
Facial aesthetics practitioner Dr Raffaella Gabassi echoes this. “Less is more,” she says. “People want enhancements that look natural, not drastic.”
The concept of ‘preventative Botox’ has become especially prevalent online, encouraging some in their early twenties to begin treatments under the premise that early intervention will delay ageing. It was this idea that first led Grace to try Botox.
“I never imagined I’d get it so young,” she says, “but I saw so many people my age doing it for prevention. The marketing around Botox has completely shifted — it’s no longer just for older people. Now, it’s about preserving your appearance, not just treating wrinkles.”
Dr Nora warns that while well-placed filler can support facial structure over time, excessive use can have the opposite effect, accelerating the ageing process.
Dr Gabassi agrees. “Aesthetics should be about balance,” she says. “Practitioners need to consider the individual, not just follow trends.”
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Lessons from Molly-Mae
The conversation around overfilling and its consequences gained traction after Molly-Mae Hague dissolved hers, calling them a mistake.
“Trends change,” says Dr Nora, “but cosmetic procedures should always be approached with long-term facial harmony in mind. Overfilling can stretch tissue, causing unintended changes over time.”
Dr Gabassi believes Molly-Mae’s openness may prompt younger audiences to pause. “Seeing someone reverse a procedure so publicly might make people think twice before rushing into something they’ll later regret.”
Dr Banwell, however, takes issue with the language surrounding dissolving fillers. “‘Reversal’ is a misleading term,” he says. “You can’t truly reverse a cosmetic procedure — you can only modify it. And that means undergoing another procedure, with all the same risks.”
Molly Mae just after love island vs 5 years later is proof that filler can age you and is so damaging, hopefully these girls will follow suit after the show because it’s actually sad☹️ #Loveisland pic.twitter.com/hQ6DVteMXh
— 𝑨𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒌𝒂🍒 (@noushka0) June 3, 2024
How to find a safe clinic
With the increasing demand for aesthetic treatments, the industry has seen a rise in underqualified practitioners. Dr Nora urges patients to do their research. “Make sure your provider is a licensed medical professional with specialised training in aesthetics,” she advises. “A responsible practitioner will discuss risks, use high-quality products and prioritise natural results.”
Dr Gabassi warns against budget-friendly treatments abroad, where lower prices can mean compromised safety. “Consultations are key,” she says. “Check qualifications, ask questions and make sure you feel completely comfortable before going ahead.”
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Empowerment or pressure?
When done safely and thoughtfully, cosmetic treatments can be empowering. “These procedures can genuinely change lives,” says Dr Nora. “I’ve had patients cry tears of joy in my clinic.” However, she stresses that education and informed decision-making are essential.
Grace, for one, is already considering her next steps — possibly lip filler and microneedling. “Once you start, it’s easy to want more,” she admits. “But I just want to feel my best. If a few tweaks help me do that, I don’t see a problem.”
Still, she’s wary of going too far. “I want to maintain a natural look,” she says. “That’s always in the back of my mind.”
As Gen Z continues to blur the line between skincare and surgical intervention, one thing is certain: the cosmetic landscape is evolving, driven by social media, accessibility and shifting beauty ideals.
