Lip Filler Migration - How to Correct it & How to Avoid it.
​This video shows patients who previously had their lip fillers done elsewhere and came to us for dissolving and correcting procedures. It demonstrates how the filler has shifted towards the space near the white roll on the lips between the lip line upwards towards the upper lip, mustache area towards the nose. This movement is often caused by factors such as improper or poor injection techniques, depth and plane of placement, excessive product in limited lip tissue space, wrong filler types, and the lips' natural anatomy. This displacement can occur in other facial regions too, but the lips are particularly susceptible due to daily mouth movements and muscle contractions. When the filler relocates, the lip, usually the upper lip, may appear duck-like or distorted, resulting in an undesirable heavy or "Marge Simpson" lip appearance which is a look no one wants.
If you are unsure whether your filler is migrated, here is a comprehensive guide on what to observe and the steps to correcting your lips at Utopia Aesthetics.
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When dealing with migrated fillers,
there are two main approaches to address the issue:
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Dissolve them using hyaluronidase.
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Allow them to naturally break down over an extended period of time.
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Dissolving the fillers with hyaluronidase is the preferred method due to various reasons. This enzyme breaks down hyaluronic acid gels, restoring the lips back to your natural shape and size within a few days. While spot treatment is effective for minor migration or filler lumps or bumps, it may not suffice for significant migration issues. In this case, all filler should be removed and refilled at the appropriate time, injected correctly. Patients that dissolve and refill their lips need to go slow and avoid overfilling, “as this can open up the previous tissue planes that allowed for migration.
For those who opt not to dissolve the fillers with hyaluronidase, the natural degradation process will gradually break down the filler. However, this process is slower, and the body may not entirely eliminate all the product from the lips. It could take years for migrated filler to fully disappear, with residual filler potentially persisting for an extended period. Resolving migrated filler through dissolving is the most effective way to rectify the problem and correct any issues, as allowing migrated filler to remain in the tissue where it should not be, should not be left that way.
Migration of filler can be a one-time occurrence for some individuals and a recurring challenge for others, often influenced by individual anatomy. Seek advice from a skilled and honest lip injector to understand the best options tailored to your specific needs. Our expert injector at Utopia Aesthetics specializes in lip treatments and will provide the guidance you need to address any concerns effectively.
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Can Filler Migration Be Avoided?
While there isn't a fool proof method, ensuring that your lip filler stays in place primarily involves being injected by a highly skilled lip injector who focuses on this procedure. It's crucial to consider your provider's expertise level. The recommended approach is to thoroughly research your injector, reviewing their lip filler results showcasing numerous before and after results as well as healed results.
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What should I do now?
Booking an appointment to dissolve is the initial step in the process. During your appointment, our Injector will carefully assess and discuss the issues you are facing. We will explain the possible causes and help you comprehend why they may have occurred. Following this, we will present you with the best options in moving forward to ensure optimal results.
To enhance your comfort, a numbing cream will be applied. Hyaluronidase will be injected to dissolve the hyaluronic acid filler, you can expect swelling, bruising, and tenderness.
Typically, you will notice a significant decrease in lip size by the next day. By day 5, the majority of the dissolved result should be visible.
After the dissolving appointment, there should be a minimum 2-week waiting period before returning for lip filler. You can begin the lip filler process anytime from 2 weeks onwards.
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Also consider a lip flip which involves using neuromodulators (Botox) which, when combined with filler, can effectively enhance the size and shape of the lips. By relaxing the muscles around the lips, this treatment gives a subtly fuller appearance with increased lip visibility and prevents the top lip from turning inward when smiling or laughing. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with thin lips or a gummy smile.
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