Risks of dissolving 6 year lasting Juvederm lip filler: will it permanently eliminate natural lip tissue? (photos)

Question

Uneven and poorly shaped lips. Will dissolving this 6 year lasting filler damage my original lips in anyway? I.e will it dissolve my natural tissue as well - and if it does dissolve my natural tissue, will it grow back on its own or would it be permanently eliminated? The product that was used for my filler was Juvederm (but I am unsure if it was a specific type of Juvederm). I think my bottom lip is completely dissolved (might have a little left) It’s just my top lip that is of main concern.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Filler migration, swelling, and granulomas can cause significant discomfort and cosmetic ramifications. Our office specializes in the use of enzymes and filler reversal techniques without hyaluronidase to help improve the results of botched cosmetic fillers, whether caused by Juvederm, Restylane, or foreign fillers. Our plastic surgery institute provides expertise in filler removal. We begin by examining the facial fillers and assessing the likelihood of fluctuance or liquid volumization. If appropriate, we use Hylenex, or other filler reversal agents to reduce swelling and filler migration. Hylenex can be targeted into the areas of concern using multiple layered injection techniques. If the filler does not completely resolve, then additional concentrations may be employed. The technique has the potential to reduce the filler and may slightly impact normal hyaluronic acid. Treatments are repeated and results can improve immediately and with time.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hyaluronidase will have best effects for over-treated areas when applied within a couple months post-HA filler injection, so with having hyaluronidase applied 6 years after your injection you are likely to remove some natural HA tissues. Patients who experience filler abnormalities often fear that all of their filler will be removed after having Hyaluronidase or that they will appear diveted and depleted. This is not necessarily true if injecting with an experienced injector who can evenly spread hyaluronidase in targeted areas. Some providers will actually dispense hyaluronidase injections in very small amounts to target certain areas without depleting all hyaluronic acid. 
I recommend that you seek in-person consultation with an experienced injector.
Best, 
Dr. Anil Shah

Morgan Rabach, MD · Answer

It is rare for a filler to last that long but if you do not like the volume of your lips you can certainly have it dissolved to see if in fact it really is filler or just your natural lip at this point.

Jo Herzog, MD · Answer

Do you think that your lips are bigger then you want them to be? If yes, then you can dissolve filler if any remains in your lip which would be unusual for Juvederm at 6 years. Hyaluronidase will not hurt your lips. However, if you like the size but think want to change shape a little I would talk to your doctor and see whether they can do that by adding filler , in small amounts, to change the shape and even up. I don't think that your lips look bad but there are a couple of things that I would do to like them more.

Risks of dissolving 6 year lasting Juvederm lip filler: will it permanently eliminate natural lip tissue? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Reshape lips, dissolve or augment?

Answer: Reshape lips, dissolve or augment?

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Everything you need to know about Hyaluronidase

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Risks of dissolving 6 year lasting Juvederm lip filler: will it permanently eliminate natural lip tissue? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Reshape lips, dissolve or augment?

Answer: Reshape lips, dissolve or augment?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hyaluronidase

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.