Will migration happen again after filler is dissolved? (Photo)

Question

I had Juvederm lip filler 2 years ago and it has slightly migrated above my top lip line unevenly. I had a consult and was told Juvederm is notorious for migrations. She also said if we dissolved it, it will likely just migrate again. Is that true? I'd hate it if my lip were ruined for lip filler forever.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

You’re not alone Juvederm, especially the older, more cohesive versions (like Ultra or Volbella), can sometimes migrate above the lip line over time, particularly after repeated injections or placement too close to the skin surface.

Your provider is partly right: migration can happen again if the same filler type or technique is used, but it’s not true that your lips are “ruined forever” for filler. Once migrated product is fully dissolved with hyaluronidase and the tissue has had time to settle (usually 4–8 weeks), most people can safely get filler again just with a different approach.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your photo and concern. This is a great and very common question.

Filler migration is not inevitable, but several factors contribute to its occurrence. While it's true that some patients experience migration with Juvederm due to its softness and hydrophilic properties, it’s not guaranteed that it will happen again after dissolving, especially if the right product and technique are used.

Here’s what’s important to know:

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

To begin with, let me tell you that migration of fillers in the lips does not occur. It is simply an excuse that the majority of injectors use for poorly injected filler. In order for something to go up it has to be injected in there. Technically, and according to the laws of physics, things can only go down. Simply find a good Plastic Surgeon, who is known for lip, fillers, and I’m sure you’ll be quite happy with the results. I hope this helps and good luck from Leonard Grossman MD organic Plastic Surgery, NYC.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Any time you have lip filler there is a chance that it could migrate.  This is why it is important to have your treatment with an experienced injector to keep your risk to a minimum.  If it does migrate, dissolving it is an option.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

If your filler was two years ago, then your outcome is not related to filler.
At two years any product has been absorbed.
In my opinion, fillers do not migrate.
I’ve been injecting HA fillers since they were first FDA approved in the 1990s.
I have never seen fillers migrate in my practice.
In my opinion, the concept of filler migration it’s a poor excuse for bad technique.
 I don’t think your lip contour can be improved with filler reversal at this point.
Fillers can create long-term permanent changes in soft tissues.
We don’t really know the mechanism of why this happens to some patients.
Your picture shows a fairly normal looking set of lips without obvious deformity.
Facial asymmetry is normal, including the lips.
Provider selection is generally always the most important variable.
Finding the right provider turns out to be much more difficult than most people realize.
The number of providers who approach mastery of this kind of work is in reality quite small.
Average work gives average results.
I have no reason to believe a new treatment of HA fillers will migrate because I don’t believe fillers migrate in the first place.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Will migration happen again after filler is dissolved? (Photo)

Answers (5)

More Lip Fillers Questions

Pimple like bump on filler injection area - how can this be treated? (Photos)

Removal of undissolved HA lip filler 10 years later - Can a second surgery remove the migrated filler? (Photos)

Filler migration? Should I have this dissolved? (Photos)

Will boxing reduce the longetivity of a small amount of upper lip filler?

Can lip fillers fix asymmetry from a lip lift? (Photos)

How do you properly clean lips after lip filler?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS