Foot filler is a thing now - but does it really fix achy, veiny feet? Doctors weigh in

As the years have passed, aesthetic treatments have become more and more 'out there'. We now use salmon sperm to target under-eye bags and Botox for tighter jawlines. So when I first heard about foot filler, my reaction was: "Huh, I guess that somehow makes sense?"

For as long as I can remember, I've proclaimed that I’d be the ideal candidate for a foot transplant due to never being able to find comfy shoes; the idea of foot filler is somewhat intriguing to me.

Importantly, unlike other kinds of filler – used, for example, in the lips or cheeks – it should be noted that foot injectables aren’t necessarily for aesthetic purposes; rather, they aim to address a bodily concern, not dissimilar to Botox being used for excessive sweating.

That said, there are also some cosmetic benefits, and the treatment is occasionally chosen for this reason. From camouflaging obvious-looking veins in the feet to restoring lost cushioning for comfort, here are all the reasons you might consider getting foot filler – along with the need-to-know details about the procedure.

What exactly is foot filler and what does it treat?

Just like filler that’s used in the face and other parts of the body, most foot filler is made from cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid filler is chosen for this area for several reasons, according to cosmetic physician Dr Emmaline Ashley. “Hyaluronic acid is the preferred agent because it is biodegradable, reversible if needed, and has an established safety profile from extensive use in facial aesthetics,” she explains.

The product is injected into the feet – specifically the plantar fat pad – for a number of purposes. Primarily, it aids in the natural cushioning beneath the ball of the foot and heel, which can be impacted age.

“As we age, this protective fat pad can thin, leading to discomfort, pressure points and pain during walking or standing," explains Dr Maryam Zamani, aesthetic doctor and Founder of MZ Skin. "Filler is typically placed into areas of volume depletion to provide cushioning and improve comfort.”

There’s also an aesthetic component: thinning of the heel and forefoot pads “causes pain, functional limitation, and, for many patients, a visibly more bony, aged appearance to the foot,” says Dr Ashley. Filler can help here.

But it’s not just for older patients – it can be used for others struggling with discomfort. Initial studies suggest that filler can help with the side-effects of wearing high heels over the years, too.

Why is foot filler increasingly popular?

I’ve read more about foot filler over the past couple of months than I have any other kind of injectable. So what’s the appeal here, and why now? According to Dr Ashley, there are several factors to consider.

Firstly, we’re generally living longer, and therefore experiencing the effects of bodily ageing more than generations past. “The patient population that needs it is expanding,” she tells me. “Plantar fat pad atrophy is an age-related phenomenon that becomes more prevalent and more symptomatic from the fifth decade onwards.”

There’s also a wider cultural acceptance of aesthetic procedures, even for fairly niche problems. For those who have tried cushioned insoles and the like, the next natural step increasingly feels like injectables.

“The aesthetic medicine conversation has broadened well beyond the face, and patients already familiar with injectable treatments are increasingly thinking about hands, neck, décolleté and feet as part of a holistic picture,” Dr Ashley adds.

That said, she also notes that despite its gradual rise in popularity, it’s still not a common procedure in the mainstream – especially not when compared to treatments like facial filler and Botox.

Who is an ideal candidate for foot filler? (And who isn't?)

If you have issues with your feet, could filler be the right avenue? According to clinical literature, Dr Ashley says the most typical candidate right now is “someone from their mid-40s onwards with noticeable thinning of the plantar cushioning, presenting with some combination of functional discomfort and cosmetic concern.”

Plantar fat pad atrophy syndrome (the thinning of the cushioning under the heel or ball) is the most common motivator. Others who could consider the treatment include those who frequently – and over time – have worn high heels, along with very active individuals who experience pressure-related discomfort or any kind of ongoing pain.

Conversely, it’s generally not suitable for anyone with more significant structural foot problems that can cause pain, like flat feet, high arches and bunions. This is because filler “addresses cushioning rather than architecture,” clarifies Dr Ashley. Patients with diabetes or on blood thinners likely won’t be suitable for this treatment, either.

Either way, it’s important for any individual to seek the advice of a trusted medical professional in order to determine if foot filler is the right approach for their case.

Foot filler treatment details

One thing you should know about this treatment? It’s certainly not cheap. Sessions can set you back anywhere between several hundred pounds and well over a thousand – and they’re often charged per ml, per foot.

Pain levels are usually mild to moderate, as you would expect with any injectable treatment. This also really depends on your personal pain threshold!) You can usually walk afterwards, but should hold off on strenuous exercise or being on your feet too long for the first few days post-treatment.

In terms of top-ups, you’ll need to get them, but luckily not too frequently (every 6–18 months, depending on each case and which filler was used).

As mentioned, research into foot filler is still largely in its infancy, meaning you should always seek the care of a respected, quality, experienced and insured doctor if you’re considering it as a procedure. “Before booking, ask how many foot filler procedures they have performed, and what their aftercare and complication management protocol looks like,” recommends Dr Ashley.