Have my lip fillers migrated? Should I dissolve them? (Photo)

Thank you for your question and for providing a photo for evaluation.

Lip filler migration can sometimes occur, especially in the months following the procedure. Given that you had your fillers done 4-5 months ago and this is your first experience with lip fillers, it's understandable that you might be concerned about the appearance and placement of the filler.

From your description, there are a few possibilities to consider:

Natural Lip Anatomy: Your mention of having a naturally double-lined lip could indeed make it more challenging to determine if the filler has migrated. This anatomical feature might accentuate or create the appearance of migration even if the filler remains in place.

Filler Migration: Filler migration typically manifests as a noticeable change in the shape or contour of the lips, often with the filler appearing above the vermilion border (the junction between the lip and the adjacent skin). If you observe a smooth or bulging area above your natural lip line, this could be a sign of migration.

Time Frame: It's important to note that filler migration, if it occurs, can sometimes stabilize over time. However, if the migration is significant and bothersome, dissolving the filler with hyaluronidase is an option.

Considering the complexity of your situation, I recommend the following steps:

Consult with Your Injector: Schedule a follow-up appointment with the practitioner who performed your lip filler injections. They can provide a professional assessment and determine if migration has occurred and what the best course of action would be.

Second Opinion: If you're not satisfied with the initial consultation, seeking a second opinion from a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with experience in lip fillers can be beneficial.

Dissolving the Filler: If migration is confirmed and it's affecting your satisfaction with the results, dissolving the filler with hyaluronidase is a safe and effective option. This enzyme breaks down hyaluronic acid fillers and can help restore your lips to their natural state.

Ultimately, the decision to dissolve the filler should be based on a thorough evaluation by a qualified professional who can assess your specific situation and provide personalized advice.

Best regards,

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’s not uncommon to feel uncertain about the results of your lip fillers, especially if you have naturally double-lined lips. After 4-5 months, some migration of the filler can occur, and it may be difficult to discern if that’s happening or if it’s just the natural shape of your lips. If you feel that the filler has migrated and you’re unhappy with the appearance, dissolving the filler could be a good option. Hyaluronidase, the enzyme used to dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers, can help restore your lips to their previous state. I hope this helps and best of luck!

From the submitted photos it does appear that your lip filler has migrated. You can return to an expert injector to have it dissolved with hyaluronidase. You can then redo the filler if you want more volume.

To give you the best answer possible, I would love to see your before pictures. If you think the filler has migrated then dissolving it is always the best option. Typically, if I am correcting or adding more to lips then I will dissolve first.

The longevity of lip fillers varies a bit from person to person, and also very substantially based on what product was used.
I tell patients that most HA based lip fillers last about six months paid.
Based on that most of yours should’ve been dissolved at this point.
It would be helpful to have a baseline picture if you have it to see as well.
As time goes on, the effect of reversal injections become less effective because much of the filler will be gone.
This far out from the injection, you may not see much change from reversing the fillers.
For most patients who are five months out from filler, I would just tell him to wait it out.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD