The demand to dissolve fillers has grown significantly as hyaluronic acid filler treatments jumped 70% since 2019. Dermal fillers can improve your facial features, but you might want to reverse the procedure if you’re unhappy with the results or simply change your mind.
Good news—you can dissolve fillers through a straightforward procedure that usually takes just minutes to complete. It uses hyaluronidase injections that break down hyaluronic acid molecules, which your body then absorbs quickly.
This piece will help you learn how the dissolution works and what potential risks to consider.
Common Reasons People Regret Fillers
People regret getting fillers more often than you might expect. The Esthetic Society’s data shows filler reversals jumped by 57% in 2021 compared to 2020. Understanding why others regret their fillers can help you make better choices about your own treatment.
Overfilled or Unnatural Appearance
“Pillow face” describes what happens when someone gets too much filler. This happens when facial features look puffy and disproportionate. Too much filler can throw off your face’s natural balance, creating what experts call “alien-like facial contours”.
The effects go beyond just looks. Too much product can disrupt:
- Natural facial expressions and movement.
- Speech articulation, especially with excess lip filler.
- Lymphatic drainage, which might lead to facial swelling.
Excess filler in one spot can also mess up how other parts of your face look. Your eyes might appear smaller because overfilled cheeks push upward. Repeated overfilling can stretch your skin so much that after dissolution, it becomes “lax, redundant, and crepey”.
Filler Migration or Asymmetry
Filler migration happens when the product moves from where it was injected to somewhere else. An effect called “filler mustache” shows this problem perfectly—lip filler moves past the lip line and creates an unwanted shadow above.
The muscles around the mouth move a lot, so that’s where you tend to see more migration. Hyaluronic acid adds to this issue because it requires water. Fillers might attract more fluid than predicted and create puffiness where you don’t want it.
Experts suggest these steps to reduce migration risk:
- Low-volume, low-pressure injections.
- Multiple treatment sessions instead of one big injection.
- Limited physical activity right after the procedure.
Changing Beauty Trends or Personal Priorities
Beauty standards keep evolving. What looked good before might seem dated now. For instance, although ultra-plump lips were once popular, most people nowadays want a more natural look. This change toward subtlety marks a big shift, and practitioners see “filler fatigue” in clients who question their treatment’s long-term effects.
Age plays a role in filler regret, too. Your face changes naturally over time, so permanent or long-lasting fillers that once looked good might end up appearing misplaced. Your facial structure, muscles, and skin keep changing with age, making old filler choices clash with your current appearance.
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved easily now. This gives you freedom to adjust your look as your priorities change or as beauty trends move toward more natural-looking enhancements.
Understanding Hyaluronidase: The Filler Dissolver
Hyaluronidase is the core ingredient that helps dissolve fillers by removing them where they aren’t wanted. Your body naturally produces this enzyme, which plays a vital role when you want to reverse filler treatments. The enzyme targets molecular bonds that give hyaluronic acid fillers their structure, breaking apart their framework.
Newer fillers usually dissolve more easily than older ones. Fillers that have stayed in place for months might blend with surrounding tissue or develop fibrous coverings.
The Step-by-Step Process of Dissolving Filler
The process of reversing your dermal filler treatment follows a well-laid-out approach that returns unwanted volume to your pre-injection state. A clear understanding of each step will help you know what to expect during this experience.
Original Consultation and Assessment
Your filler dissolution process starts with a full consultation with a qualified medical professional. During this meeting, your Beauty Vault provider will:
- Get into the area with unwanted filler.
- Discuss your specific concerns and goals.
- Review your complete medical history.
- Assess whether dissolving is the right solution.
This evaluation is significant because your provider determines the best approach based on your specific case. Note that you must tell your provider if you’ve had allergic reactions to bee stings, as hyaluronidase might not be safe for you. To make sure, your provider might perform a patch test, which involves injecting a small amount of hyaluronidase to check for potential allergic reactions.
Your Beauty Vault provider might ask you to do these things before your appointment:
- Avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin.
- Stop taking supplements such as fish oil.
- Stay well hydrated before treatment.
The Injection Procedure and What It Feels Like
The dissolution procedure usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Your provider will:
- Thoroughly clean the treatment area.
- Apply a topical numbing cream to reduce discomfort.
- Prepare the right amount of hyaluronidase.
The Beauty Vault provider then injects hyaluronidase directly into areas with unwanted filler using a fine needle. Patients often feel a mild burning sensation during injection, which can be more uncomfortable than the original filler placement. The treatment area and amount of filler determine the number of injections needed.
Your provider might gently massage the area after injection to spread the enzyme throughout the filler. This helps the dissolution process work better.
Timeline for Visible Changes
The dissolution follows a predictable pattern, though results vary by person. The enzyme starts breaking down filler immediately upon contact. You may see volume reduction within minutes, but treatment-related swelling can mask these changes. Most important changes appear within 24 to 48 hours as the enzyme continues to break down the filler.
Swelling usually goes down within 48 to 84 hours, giving you a full picture of the results . Complete dissolution typically happens within one week, though it might take up to two weeks, especially with concentrated fillers or larger volumes.
You might need multiple dissolution sessions for stubborn filler or cases with large amounts, usually scheduled two to four weeks apart. Your Beauty Vault provider will check your results during follow-up visits to determine if you need more treatment.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Safety must be your top priority before you get any cosmetic procedure. Dissolving filler is generally a low-risk treatment, but understanding what could happen will help you prepare and know when to ask for medical help.
Mild Reactions Like Redness or Swelling
Your body will likely show some temporary reactions after filler dissolution. These common side effects include:
- Redness where the injections happened, which gets better within the first few days.
- Mild swelling that usually goes away in 24 to 48 hours.
- Bruising that makeup can sometimes cover.
- Tenderness or stinging sensations in treated spots.
These reactions happen because of the needle and your body’s natural response to hyaluronidase enzyme. Your immune system sees this minor trauma as a threat and sends more fluid and white blood cells to the area.
Rare Allergic Responses
Allergic reactions to hyaluronidase are highly uncommon, affecting less than 0.1% of patients. These reactions need immediate medical attention.
Bee or wasp sting allergies might put you at higher risk since these insect venoms contain hyaluronidase. This link creates possible cross-sensitivity. The allergic reaction would look similar to that of a bee or wasp sting as well—itching, hives, rashes, redness, swelling, dizziness, chest tightness, rapid heartrate, and even anaphylaxis.
Again, patch testing is vital to prevent allergic reactions. Even if you pass the test, however, be on the safe side and watch out for this response.
Possibility of Uneven Results or Volume Loss
Hyaluronidase dissolves hyaluronic acid randomly, not evenly. This makes precise dissolution challenging. The enzyme might affect your body’s natural hyaluronic acid, too.
Consequently, some patients end up with unexpected volume loss or looser skin in treated areas . About 18% of patients who got hyaluronidase reported negative esthetic results like hollowing, which experts now call “posthyaluronidase syndrome”.
This issue happens more often when filler has been there longer. Research shows a strong link between posthyaluronidase syndrome and the length of time that the filler was in place. Talking about these possibilities with your doctor helps set realistic expectations about your results.
Making Informed Decisions About Dissolving Fillers Experience with Beauty Vault
No matter your reasons for wanting to dissolve your dermal fillers, you deserve a positive experience that leaves you feeling more confident than ever. The team at the Beauty Vault in West Hollywood cares about helping you achieve the look that you feel suits you best. To learn how they can assist with dissolving your fillers, call their offices today at (323) 800-6770 or fill out a contact form.
FAQs
Q1. What is the fastest way to break down dermal fillers?
Hyaluronidase is the most effective and quickest method to dissolve hyaluronic acid-based fillers. It starts working immediately upon injection, with significant changes often visible within 24-48 hours.
Q2. Can massaging help dissolve filler?
Massaging the treated area doesn’t significantly speed up filler dissolution. It’s primarily used to manage swelling and evenly distribute the product shortly after injection. The effectiveness of massage decreases the longer you wait after treatment.
Q3. Are there alternatives to dissolving fillers?
Yes, alternatives include waiting for the filler to naturally fade, using treatments like radiofrequency or microneedling to potentially accelerate breakdown, or considering surgical options in rare cases. Some people also explore non-invasive options like topical treatments or thread lifts for enhancing appearance.
