hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. Results appear in 24-48 hours with full resolution in 7-14 days. A typical session uses 30-100 units, targeting overfilled or migrated areas for precise correction without damaging natural lip tissue.
What Is Lip Filler?
Lip fillers are one sort of dermal filler injection, most normally made up of hyaluronic acid (HA), biocompatible, biodegradable, and in great demand for its volumizing and hydrating properties. HA-based fillers are preferred due to their versatility and safety profile. The treatment is minimally invasive, offering instant augmentation, symmetry correction, and enhancement of lip contours.
FDA-approved HA fillers, such as Juvederm Ultra XC, Restylane Kysse, and Teosyal RHA 2, remain the leaders in the market. According to data compiled by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), more than 1.7 million HA filler procedures have taken place in 2022 worldwide, and lip augmentation accounts for 45% of such treatments.
Aesthetic enhancement clinics often choose different formulations for particular needs:
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Low-viscosity fillers, such as Juvederm Volbella, are ideal for subtle hydration and smoothing of fine lines.
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High-viscosity fillers, such as Restylane Lyft, are more suited to those patients who wish to achieve a highly noticeable volumizing effect.
Because the injection of hyaluronic acid filler is temporary, it still remains the most flexible option, since it can be dissolved safely using hyaluronidase, an enzyme that selectively degrades HA.
Why Dissolve Lip Filler?
The decision to dissolve lip fillers can be due to aesthetic and medical concerns. While dermal fillers have a high satisfaction rate, complications or dissatisfaction can occur. Here are the primary reasons:
1. Overfilled or “Duck Lips”
Sometimes, patients experience overcorrection either because of using a lot of product or because of the injection methods applied. Accordingly, Aesthetic Medicine Journal held a survey and found out that almost 18% of the patients with lip fillers sought corrective procedures because of overfilled lips.
For instance, if the placement of too much filler is superficially done, then this leads to the “sausage effect,” making disproportionate lips. Dissolving filler allows the professional to reset the treatment area for a more natural outcome.
2. Filler Migration
Lip filler migration is the movement of filler outside the intended area. This usually occurs very close to the vermilion border or the upper white roll, giving the lips a swollen or “puffy” appearance. It is most likely to occur when:
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High-viscosity fillers are inappropriately applied.
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Overfilling in one area causes stretching of the delicate tissue of the lips.
Clinical data reveals that migration happens in about 7% of cases, especially with untaught injectors. Their unwanted effects are reversible by dissolving the product with targeted hyaluronidase injections.
3. Complications and Allergic Reactions
Although rare, other complications include vascular occlusion, allergic reaction, or prolonged inflammation. Vascular compromise impairs blood flow and leads to ischemia. If an ischemic situation is not treated, it may lead to tissue necrosis. In such cases, hyaluronidase is considered a lifesaving treatment.
For instance, clinical trials showed that vascular events occurred in 0.05% of patients. Immediate intervention of 150-300 units of hyaluronidase per treatment area may resolve blockages and prevent permanent damage.
How It Works
Dissolving lip filler is the injection of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that catalyzes hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid. This process returns the lip to its natural state through breaking down the filler into smaller pieces, which are then metabolized and excreted through the body metabolism.
1. The Dissolving Procedure
The procedure needs utmost care and skill:
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A thorough assessment shows which areas have been overfilled, migrated, or developed a complication.
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A topical anesthetic or lidocaine is used to ensure comfort of the patient.
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Hyaluronidase is reconstituted with saline and lidocaine at specified concentrations, usually 10-30 units per 0.1 mL of the filler.
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Injections are given at strategic places with a fine-gauge needle and, for complex cases, often under ultrasound guidance.
Results can be seen within a time frame of 24-48 hours, with resolution within 7-14 days. Dosage must be very accurate since overcorrection should be avoided because hyaluronidase has some effects on natural HA in the skin.
2. Mechanism of Action
Hydrolyzes the glycosidic bonds of hyaluronic acid into smaller fragments that are absorbed through natural metabolic pathways. According to most clinical guidelines, one treatment session may use:
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30-60 units for minor corrections.
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100-200 units for extensive dissolving of fillers.
Advanced techniques include micro-dosing, where the surrounding tissues are minimally affected, and the filler is adequately targeted.
3. Treatment Duration and Results
Treatment time is around 15-30 minutes, and patients can expect 80-90% resolution of unwanted fillers within the first week. Patients who need re-treatment may have multiple sessions 5-7 days apart.
Impact on Natural Lips
The most common question asked by patients is whether dissolution of fillers can affect their natural structure, elasticity, or health in general. Major areas of concern include:
1. Integrity of Lip Tissue:
It does not affect the natural HA or lip structure when proper doses are employed; hyaluronidase only breaks down the artificial hyaluronic acid. In one research study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, it was observed that 96% of patients had their natural lips not changed permanently after the process of dissolving fillers.
But repeated overcorrection followed by dissolution may lead to temporary tissue laxity. The professional recommendations proposed by this committee suggest at least a 3-6 months gap between two such treatments in order to maintain the integrity of tissue.
2. Skin Elasticity
Long-term use of lip fillers stretches the lip’s natural tissues over time. After the fillers have been dissolved, some patients initially mention a slight deflation, which is temporary as the collagen and elastin matrix re-forms itself naturally within 4-6 weeks.
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In fact, 85% of the patients have shown their signs of improvement back to normalcy with regard to the pre-filler appearance in 4 weeks’ time.
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Other treatments may involve patients above 45 years and deficient in collagen production, such as radiofrequency microneedling, which stimulates tissue healing.
3. Possible dangers and complications
There are just a few complications that can be faced by a person when hyaluronidase is treated wrongly; other hazards include:
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Overcorrection: Overcorrection Too much hyaluronidase degrades the natural HA and results in volume loss.
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Inflammation: Transient swelling, erythema, or tenderness may occur but usually resolves quickly within 30-40% of the cases.
Clinics reduce these risks by making very precise injections and following professional guidelines on dosing.
General Adverse Effects
There may be side effects linked to the use of hyaluronidase, though these adverse effects are very rare if hyaluronidase is used with careful supervision. It is important to have an understanding of these so that patients can be prepared:
1. Swelling and Bruising
The most frequent posttreatment event, swelling, occurs in around 40% of patients when enzymes break down the tissue and between-inflammation exists at the injected area. Ice packs and strenuous activity should be avoided within 2-3 days to lessen this risk.
2. Allergic Reactions
Some rare hypersensitivity reactions to the enzyme are observed, still more significant in patients with bee venom and, particularly, wasp venom allergies. Clinical manifestations are localized itching in rashes or may progress to anaphylaxis in extreme cases. Patch tests done 48 hours prior to the treatment can determine any allergic reactions.
Clinical reports say 0.05% allergic incidences, thus illustrating the excellent safety record of the enzyme.
3. Results Nonuniform
The filler may not dissolve entirely in about 2-5%, especially with a large volume or dense filler. Multiple sessions are commonly required to achieve the best effect, usually performed 1-2 weeks apart.
Time of Recovery
Dissolution of lip fillers generally takes place quickly and without any complications:
1. Results Right Away
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After 24-48 hours, a person can see the results as the swelling subsides and the filler dissolves.
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Minor bruising might last for 3-5 days, but applying makeup can hide it after 48 hours.
2. Complete Dissolution
The complete dissolution of hyaluronic acid happens between 7-14 days. During this period, it is advisable by clinics:
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Not to massage or manipulate the lips
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Keep away from sunbathing or saunas as exposure to heat
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Abstain from alcohol and blood thinning medications
Satisfaction with the process is reported at 97% of patients recovering, certainly thankful for speed, such as unwanted fillers taken care of.
Employing a Specialist
This is a job that requires a specialist practitioner to render safe and efficient dissolution. Here are some points to be checked:
1. Credentialing and Experience
Board-certified professionals or aesthetic doctors license-trained usually in injection-based procedures. Clinics like ELE GLOBAL recommend those who have completed advanced courses on filler reversal and facial anatomy.
2. Clinical Results
Very high-quality clinics will have extensive before-and-after albums and 98% success rates for treatments of dissolving fillers. Patients are always encouraged to ask for case studies to verify expertise.
3. Equipment and Protocols
Every clinic should be able to conform to the above industry-leading protocols:
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Ultrasound imaging for the complex dissolving cases;
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