Everyone wants to look as young as they feel, but even the best skincare routines and cosmetic treatments can backfire if you make the wrong choices. Dr. Amir Akram, board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of Akram MD Skin, shares the five most common facial rejuvenation mistakes that can accelerate aging instead of slowing it.
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1. Ignoring Sun Protection
Dr. Akram emphasizes that sun exposure is the number one cause of premature skin aging. “The sun is the greatest accelerator of skin aging,” he says, noting that it leads to fine lines, wrinkles, collagen breakdown, crepiness, discoloration, and even skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. While enjoying the sun is fine, he stresses protecting delicate areas like your face, neck, and hands with broad-spectrum sunscreen containing zinc or titanium oxide. According to Dr. Akram, failing to shield your skin can undo all other anti-aging efforts, no matter how rigorous your skincare routine is.
2. Overdoing Filler
While fillers can restore volume temporarily, too much can cause long-term damage. “Not only are you going to age no matter how much filler you put in your face, but the consequence can be a deformed or unusual-looking face that is basically irreversible,” Dr. Akram warns. Overfilling can create scar tissue and make future facelifts more complicated. He advises using fillers sparingly and infrequently and avoiding the notion that they can fully prevent sagging.
3. Using Deep Radiofrequency or Microneedling Incorrectly
Many patients turn to deep radiofrequency microneedling to tighten skin, but Dr. Akram cautions that treating too deeply—beyond 1 mm—can damage subcutaneous fat. “When heat and fat mix, fat melts, and the skin can lose its supporting structure,” he explains. This can leave the face looking older rather than rejuvenated, and neither filler nor fat transfer can effectively fix the issue afterward. Shallow treatments are safer and focus on improving skin quality rather than attempting to replace surgical procedures.
4. Choosing the Wrong Plastic Surgeon
Even the best procedures can go wrong if performed by an inexperienced or unqualified surgeon. Dr. Akram stresses, “If you can’t find the right surgeon, don’t do the surgery.” Many patients regret rushed decisions, ending up with unnatural results. Researching a skilled, reputable surgeon is crucial to achieving natural, lasting outcomes.
5. Following Cosmetic Trends
Trendy procedures like extreme lip fillers, overdone cat-eye lifts, or aggressive fat removal may look appealing temporarily, but Dr. Akram advises avoiding fads. “You don’t want to be on the other side when that trend is no longer a trend,” he says. Instead, focus on restorative treatments that address aging changes subtly, preserving your natural features while preventing long-term regret.
Conclusion: Smart Decisions Preserve Youthful Skin
Dr. Akram’s advice makes it clear that anti-aging isn’t just about the products you use—it’s about making thoughtful, informed choices. Protect your skin from the sun, use fillers and treatments conservatively, select the right surgeon, and avoid trendy procedures that may do more harm than good. With these strategies, you can maintain a youthful appearance safely and effectively, avoiding costly mistakes that accelerate aging.