Can dermal fillers be reversed?
The short answer is yes. Dermal fillers can be reversed as long as they are hyaluronic acid (HA)-based, and there are two ways this can happen: naturally and artificially.
Here at Sophie K. Lips, I see a surprising number of new clients who don’t know an important tenet of facial treatments: fillers CAN be reversed (if they are HA-based). So I spend a lot of time educating clients on this topic, especially those who already were treated by prior injectors. The reversal of fillers is not only essential for clients who come to me with lumps or overfilled lips from prior injectors, it is also important in medical emergency situations. In the event that filler is injected into a vein or artery, as I teach clients, it is crucial to dissolve the filler promptly.
So how are HA fillers reversed? One method is the natural way — through your body’s own metabolism. Your body naturally breaks down HA filler at a rate that depends on many factors, including your own metabolic rate. However, it is a common misconception that the body alone can dissolve every ounce of filler that has been injected into the face. Many injectors say that fillers last “6-12 months” but what I say is that it can last “12 months and/or many years more”. Recent studies have suggested that the body actually does not break down as much filler as injectors had previously thought. Fillers can stay in the face for many many years, and it is my responsibility as an injector to carefully evaluate previously injected faces for leftover filler before I go forward and inject more.
So what is the artificial way of reversing filler? The only way to get rid of every ounce of the injected filler is by using Hyaluronidase. I won’t get into the whole chemistry behind this product, but basically Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down HA fillers. This enzyme comes in liquid form, and when clients come to me with lumps or migrated fillers, I carefully inject this product into the filled areas. Although it can immediately begin dissolving the filler, it is important to wait at least 1 week before re-filling the area so that there is no leftover Hyaluronidase that could potentially dissolve newly injected filler.
So now you know: dermal fillers CAN be reversed. Always consult with your injector about the reversibility of fillers and the available options for dissolution. It is important to go to a trusted injector who uses fillers safely and who advocates for dissolving fillers when appropriate. I always give my clients the option to dissolve old fillers and educate them about the downsides of injecting new filler into areas that have old filler remaining. Sometimes it’s best to start from scratch! New year, new beginnings! It’s going to be a beautiful 2024:)
XOXO,
Sophie K.
Aesthetic Injector
