Lip fillers gone wrong what should I do? 7 injections in 8 years & 5 hyaluronidase dissolutions (Photos)

Question

My lips have a complicated history—7 injections in 8 years and 5 hyaluronidase dissolutions. A year after dissolving everything, I wanted another injection, but a thin white line formed from remaining old product. Using the Russian technique, I had a dissolution and injection in the same session. The result is catastrophic, and now I’m self-conscious, constantly thinking about the white line. It feels like my lips rejected the product. Can it be corrected, or should I dissolve everything

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your experience — I understand how distressing this must be, especially after years of trying to refine and correct the appearance of your lips.

What Likely Happened
After 7 filler sessions and 5 dissolutions over 8 years, the tissue in your lips has likely undergone repeated trauma, leading to:

Fibrosis or scar tissue, which may appear as the thin white line you describe

Residual filler encapsulated within scar tissue that didn’t dissolve fully

Compromised vascularity or tissue health, making the lips less receptive to new filler

Injecting and dissolving in the same session — especially using the Russian technique, which places high pressure on vertical columns — may have exacerbated tissue instability and uneven distribution of product.

Can This Be Corrected?
Yes, in many cases this can be improved, but it requires a conservative, strategic approach and patience.

Here are your options:
Full Dissolution First (Again)
If the product looks asymmetrical, lumpy, or unnatural, a full dissolution with hyaluronidase may still be necessary. This would allow a fresh start — even if you’ve already gone through multiple dissolutions, complete clearance may not have been achieved before.

Allow Time for Tissue Recovery
After dissolving, wait 6–12 weeks minimum before considering reinjection. This allows the tissue to settle, any inflammation to resolve, and the white line or scar to soften naturally.

Consult With a Filler Specialist for Scar Management
If the line persists, even without filler, you may be dealing with fibrotic tissue. Options for softening or remodeling this area include:

Microneedling with PRP

Low-dose steroid injections (for scar modulation)

Laser treatments (like fractional CO₂ or RF microneedling)

Future Filler — If You Choose to Try Again
If you do proceed in the future, consider:

Minimal volume injected with microdroplet technique

Avoiding vertical lift techniques like Russian-style fillers

Choosing a very soft, low-viscosity HA product (like Belotero Balance or Restylane Silk)

Summary
Your lips are showing signs of cumulative trauma, and the white line may be fibrotic tissue or trapped filler. The most effective next step is likely complete dissolution and a healing period, followed by reassessment. While correction is possible, rushing into more filler without allowing the lips to recover will likely lead to continued disappointment.

You’re not alone in this — these types of complications can be addressed with the right strategy and timeline.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey with your lip treatments, and it's understandable to feel self-conscious about the results, especially with the persistent white line and your recent experience. In cases like yours, where there’s a combination of previous fillers, dissolutions, and new injections, it can indeed lead to unpredictable results. If the white line is prominent and you feel that your lips are not improving, it may be worth considering a complete dissolution of any remaining product. This would allow your lips to return to a baseline state, which can provide a clearer picture for potential future treatments. Once everything is dissolved, you may be able to reassess the lips and determine if you would like to be reinjected. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

With so many fillers injected and so many dissolving treatments it may be best to let your lips rest.  Either allow the current product to be metabolized naturally or remove the remaining filler and do nothing.  After your lips have completely healed visit with your injector to discuss a treatment plan.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Lip filler outcomes are highly provided dependent.
There have been cases of patient developing long-term lasting changes from the injection of filler.
These changes do not represent prolonged lasting filler but likely a reaction to the treatment with inflammation and development of scar tissue.
In reality, we don’t really understand the true mechanism of why some people will develop long-term changes after they use of temporary fillers.
If you don’t like the effect of injecting fillers close to the skin surface along the vermillion border than avoid this treatment. 
Ultimately, the decision of having the treatment and provider selection is your own.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Lip fillers gone wrong what should I do? 7 injections in 8 years & 5 hyaluronidase dissolutions (Photos)

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