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Dissolving lip filler can reduce the effects of dermal lip fillers made of hyaluronic acid. This will make your lips return to the way they looked before you got lip fillers. This procedure might be right for you if you got lip fillers and had complications or if you dislike your results. A dissolving lip filler is a safe and effective option.
A dissolving lip filler procedure removes filler from your lips. Lip fillers are a type of dermal filler that add volume to your lips. If you want to remove the effects of a lip filler, you may choose to get this procedure.
Healthcare providers use an enzyme substance called hyaluronidase to dissolve lip fillers. This substance breaks down hyaluronic acid filler only.
Not all lip fillers are dissolvable. Healthcare providers can dissolve fillers that contain hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic-based fillers are the most common type of filler. However, if your filler contains silicone or other substances, you can’t dissolve it.
If you have a filler that contains hyaluronic acid, hyaluronidase can dissolve it regardless of where the filler was placed. For example, hyaluronidase can dissolve hyaluronic acid filler in your cheeks, lips and lower eyelids, among other areas. Other types of filler material don’t dissolve with hyaluronidase.
Your body will naturally get rid of lip filler material after it dissolves. It won’t stay within your body.
If you previously got a lip filler injection, you may decide on dissolving the lip filler if you:
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A healthcare provider will give you instructions on how you can prepare before treatment to dissolve a lip filler. An example might include avoiding medications or supplements that may increase bleeding and interfere with your healing, like aspirin and fish oil. In addition, you should stop smoking several weeks before dissolving lip filler because it can disrupt your healing process.
Before dissolving your lip filler, your healthcare provider will ask you if you are allergic to bee venom. If you had an allergic reaction to a bee sting in the past, you’re not able to have hyaluronidase injections as there’s a risk for a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
A healthcare provider may apply a numbing cream to your lips to minimize discomfort before your procedure. They’ll inject hyaluronidase into your lips with a thin needle. The hyaluronidase breaks down hyaluronic acid, which is the material that makes up your lip filler.
The entire treatment to dissolve your lip filler may take between 10 and 15 minutes.
After your procedure, you may experience some swelling, bruising, tenderness and other minor side effects. Usually, these side effects go away on their own within a few days. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend corticosteroids or antihistamines to help with the swelling and other side effects.
Healthcare providers can usually dissolve lip filler in one to two visits. For instances of large amounts of filler or nodules, it may take more than one session. You may notice some results immediately, but it can take up to two weeks to see the full results.
Sometimes, you may only want to dissolve one area of lip filler. If you have a lump on your lips or an area you don’t like, it’s possible to partially dissolve lip filler. Typically, healthcare providers use a smaller amount of hyaluronidase to do this.
As with any injection, there may be some discomfort associated with it. Your healthcare provider may apply a numbing cream to your lips to minimize mild pain.
No, you can’t dissolve a lip filler at home. A licensed healthcare provider is the only one who can inject hyaluronidase to dissolve a lip filler.
Dissolving a lip filler is a relatively safe and quick option to fix complications or undesirable results from dermal lip fillers. It doesn’t require any downtime and typically has only minor side effects.
Your lips will eventually decrease in volume and return to their appearance as they were before your filler.
Dissolving lip filler with hyaluronidase may lead to mild or moderate reactions, such as:
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience a reaction after your procedure.
Hyaluronidase doesn’t only dissolve lip filler; it also dissolves the naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in your lips. So, your lips may become thinner, showing:
The thinning may be temporary because your body usually replaces any lost hyaluronic acid.
It takes up to two weeks for hyaluronic acid to completely break down. So, if you want to redo your lip filler, it’s best to wait at least 14 days before injecting more lip filler.
Dissolving lip filler can cause minor bruising and swelling that lasts up to a week. You should see full results after two weeks.
You can return to work and other activities right after a medical provider dissolves your lip filler.
If you had a dissolving lip filler procedure, seek emergency care if you experience any signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis):
Dissolving lip filler is a safe, effective cosmetic treatment for people who experience complications from lip injections or don’t like their results. You can only dissolve lip fillers that contain hyaluronic acid. Providers use hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. You’ll experience full results in two weeks. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether dissolving lip filler is the right treatment for you.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/13/2024.
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