Unhappy with your filler? How dissolving works

You had filler, and now you do not like it. Maybe your lips look too big. Maybe there is a lump, a bluish shadow under your eyes, or your face just does not look like you anymore. You may feel embarrassed, or worried that you are stuck with it.

You are not alone, and in most cases you are not stuck. Here is how it gets fixed.

The short version

Most fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, and these can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. It usually works within a day or two. Sometimes a second session is needed. Other types of filler cannot be dissolved this way. Sudden severe pain, pale or blotchy skin, or any change in your vision after filler is an emergency. Call the clinic straight away.

First: is this an emergency?

Rarely, filler can block a blood vessel. This needs treatment within hours, not days. Contact the doctor who treated you, or go to an emergency department, if you notice any of these after filler:

Severe pain that is getting worse, not better
Skin that turns pale or white, then blotchy, purple or dusky
Any change in your vision, such as blurring or loss of sight

Normal swelling and bruising after filler are common and settle over days. The signs above are different, and you should never wait to see if they get better.

Common reasons people want filler fixed

Too much volume. Lips or cheeks that look overfilled or out of proportion.
Lumps. Small bumps you can feel or see, often in the lips or under the eyes.
A bluish shadow under the eyes. This happens when filler is placed too close to the surface, and light scatters through it.
Filler that has moved. For example, lip filler that has spread above the lip line.
Puffiness under the eyes that gets worse in the morning, because some fillers hold water.

How dissolving works

Your body already makes an enzyme called hyaluronidase. A medical version of it is injected into the area. It breaks down hyaluronic acid filler so your body can clear it.

The treatment: a few small injections. It takes minutes.
What you feel: stinging for a short time. The area may swell for a day or two.
When it works: often within 24 to 48 hours. The final result is clearer after a week or two, once swelling settles.
More than one session: sometimes needed, especially for older or firmer filler.

It can also dissolve a little of your own natural hyaluronic acid. That recovers by itself over time, but it is one reason the dose should be careful and targeted.

What cannot be dissolved

Not every filler is hyaluronic acid. Some products stimulate collagen, and some are never absorbed by the body. These cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase.

If you are not sure what was used, try to find out. Ask the clinic for the product name, or check your treatment record. It changes what can be done. Problems with non-dissolvable fillers sometimes need a specialist, and occasionally surgery.

This is the main reason I only use hyaluronic acid filler. If something is not right, it can be undone.

Is it safe?

Hyaluronidase is widely used in aesthetic medicine. The common side effects are short-lived swelling, redness and itching at the injection site.

Allergic reactions can happen but are uncommon. Tell me if you have ever reacted to a bee or wasp sting, or to hyaluronidase before. In some cases I do a small skin test first.

After dissolving: can I have filler again?

Yes, if you want to. I usually wait at least two weeks, so the swelling has settled and we can see your face as it really is.

Many people decide they want less than before, or a different approach. Some decide they do not need filler at all. All of those are fine.

How I do things

I start by finding out what was injected, where, and when. Then I examine the area carefully. Not every lump is filler, and not every problem needs dissolving.

I use the smallest effective amount, aimed at the problem area, so I do not remove more than needed. And I keep hyaluronidase in the clinic at all times, for any patient who needs it urgently.

If you were treated somewhere else, you are still welcome. I will not judge the work. My job is to help you feel like yourself again.

Questions I get asked every week

How fast does filler dissolve?

Often within 24 to 48 hours. You will see the result more clearly after one to two weeks, once swelling settles.

Will my lips or face look worse than before filler?

Usually not. Your natural tissue returns to how it was. Any loss of your own hyaluronic acid recovers with time.

Can all fillers be dissolved?

No. Only hyaluronic acid fillers. Collagen-stimulating and non-absorbable fillers cannot be dissolved this way.

Does dissolving filler hurt?

It stings for a short time. Most people find it quick and manageable.

How long should I wait before having filler again?

Usually at least two weeks, so swelling has settled and the result is clear.

Please remember

This article is general information, not medical advice for you personally. Results vary between individuals, and every treatment needs a face-to-face consultation with a licensed doctor first, so we can talk about your health, your goals and the risks.

Read more about how I place filler on my dermal fillers in Dubai and lip enhancement in Dubai pages, or book a consultation.

Sources

King M, Walker L, Convery C, Davies E. Management of a vascular occlusion associated with cosmetic injections. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020.
Murray G, et al. Guideline for the safe use of hyaluronidase in aesthetic medicine, including modified high-dose protocol. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021.
DeLorenzi C. New high dose pulsed hyaluronidase protocol for hyaluronic acid filler vascular adverse events. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2017.
Manufacturer prescribing information for hyaluronidase injection — indications, common local reactions and hypersensitivity warnings.

Considering treatment?

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