Whether you're getting a haircut, altering your brow shape, or getting lip filler, deciding to change your appearance is a pretty big commitment. And the thought of being faced with results you don't like can make the process seem even more harrowing.
In the case of getting lip filler, you can at least find comfort in knowing that, if you're unsatisfied with the way things turn out, you always have the option to get them dissolved, so long as your fillers are hyaluronic acid-based.
“Most lip fillers are hyaluronic acid, which can be dissolved with an enzyme known as hyaluronidase,” says board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Jimmy C. Sung, MD. “The dissolving process involves an ultrasound analysis if needed.”
If you're thinking of getting your lip filler dissolved—or if you'd just like to know what your options are before your first appointment—read ahead to find out how dissolving lip filler works and what to expect.
Meet the experts: Michael Horn, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Chicago. Michael Bassiri-Tehrani, MD, is a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Jimmy C. Sung, MD, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and medical director of Tribeca Aesthetics in New York City.
Reasons to dissolve lip filler
- Filler migration: This is when filler migrates from the area where it was initially injected to somewhere else. “Though this typically occurs in central cheeks, lips, and tear troughs, it can occur anywhere filler is placed,” board-certified plastic surgeon Michael Horn, MD, previously told WH. When lip filler migrates, it goes from the inner “red lip” to the outer part of the lip, or the “white lip,” says double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Michael Bassiri-Tehrani, MD.
- Overfilling: Overfilled lips are actually pretty common, and can cause the lips to look unnatural and lumpy in some cases.
- Lumps, bumpiness, and asymmetry: The formation of lumps and bumps at or around the injection site is another common reason someone may want to get their filler dissolved. Per Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani, this occurs when the filler doesn’t spread evenly underneath the skin.
- Pain, discomfort, or adverse reactions: It’s not something you should expect to happen, but if you experience pain or discoloration at the injection site, it’s as good a sign as any to get your filler dissolved. “While rare, this is a more urgent indication to dissolve,” says Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani.
How is lip filler dissolved?
Only hyaluronic acid fillers—like Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero—can be dissolved. Usually the process for getting them dissolved goes a little something like this: your doctor or esthetician will numb the area with a topical numbing cream before using a small needle to inject the enzyme into your lips. “We place an ice pack on the lips for ten to 15 minutes to reduce the discomfort and swelling,” Dr. Sung explains. In most cases, you’ll begin to see the results immediately, though some people won’t see the final result for up to a week.
That said, non-hyaluronic acid fillers like those made of calcium, fat, or silicone may be more difficult to dissolve. “Fat and synthetic substances may never dissolve on their own,” says Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani. “Even if dissolvable, the product may stick around longer than intended, especially when placed in certain areas of the face, such as around the eyes. Usually areas with more movement and blood flow dissolve faster.”
How long does it take for lip filler to dissolve?
According to Dr. Sung, the hyaluronidase begins to break down the filler as soon as it’s injected, but how long it may take to dissolve is dependent on two things, the first being the composition of the filler. “If the filler is cross-linked—a manufacturing process that increases the longevity of the product—it will take longer and more sessions,” Dr. Sung adds. The other major factor is your body’s metabolism. “The dissolving enzyme might break down the products, but your body has to absorb and eliminate the filler residues,” he says.
Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani adds that while filler can usually be dissolved in just one session, multiple sessions may be required if the filler is particularly dense or if a large area was initially injected.
What to expect after getting your filler dissolved
“Patients can expect mild to moderate pain and swelling for a few days after the dissolving treatment,” says Dr. Sung. It’s possible to experience side effects like allergic reactions, bruising, pain, skin discoloration, and swelling.
Your lips may also look a little hollow after getting filler dissolved, since it may take some time for your body’s natural hyaluronic acid to return, says Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani. “They might look deflated or wrinkled immediately after the procedure, but they typically return to their natural appearance over time,” he says.
To minimize the risk of swelling, bruising, or discomfort, your provider should massage the area directly after you receive the injections—but note that you should avoid touching or rubbing the area in the days after your treatment to give the enzyme a chance to work.
Can you get filler again after getting it dissolved?
The answer is yes, but you should probably wait until your lips are healed to get another treatment.
“It is generally recommended to wait for at least a few weeks after dissolving the filler to allow the lips to fully heal and return to their natural state,” Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani says. “Also the enzyme is active for up to two weeks, so adding back filler early may cause it to be dissolved.”
Danielle is the senior beauty editor at Women's Health. Her apartment is currently littered with beauty products, but when she's not testing them all out, you can find her watching facial ASMR videos on YouTube, binge-watching The Golden Girls on Hulu, and reading rom-coms.
