Dissolving Lip Filler – Dr. Laura Juopperi
Price:
Consultation with Laura: 0 €
1 hyaluronidase ampoule: 350 €.
Additional ampoules during the same appointment: 100 € per ampoule.
How is lip filler dissolved?
To dissolve the filler, hyaluronidase is injected directly into the treated area. The filler starts breaking down immediately, but the final result is usually assessed 2 to 4 weeks later.
Often, a single treatment is sufficient, but sometimes the filling material must be removed in several stages.
Expert
Laura Juopperi, M.D.
Certified in aesthetic and medical botulinum toxin treatments, collagen stimulation treatments, and dissolving fillers.
When should lip fillers be removed?
Lip filler removal may be an option if the final result of the lip augmentation doesn't feel right or if the filler has settled in the lips in an undesirable way.
Lip fillers are almost always dissolved using hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid-based fillers. If a large amount of filler needs to be dissolved, or if it has spread over a wide area, more than one treatment session may be required.
The goal of the treatment is to restore a natural appearance.
"Patients who come in to have their lip fillers dissolved are often nervous. That's why I perform the procedure carefully, calmly, and without rushing," Laura says.
When is it necessary to remove lip filler?
There are many reasons why you might want to have lip fillers removed. Sometimes the filler has been injected too close to the surface or in the wrong spot; other times, the final result just doesn’t feel right.
Sometimes, people who have had lip fillers want to return to their natural appearance. When lips that have been enhanced with fillers no longer feel like their own, hyaluronidase comes to the rescue.
The most common situations in which lip filler removal is considered:
- The filler has spread to the wrong area, such as outside the lips
- The final result of the lip filler looks unnatural
- The filler causes delayed side effects
- The lip filler procedure was unsuccessful
Hyaluronidase in the removal of lip fillers and in cases of complications
Filler treatments are generally safe, but even the most experienced professionals need to be prepared for complications.
Hyaluronidase is a prescription medication that belongs in every aesthetic medicine professional’s first-aid kit.
If filler accidentally enters the bloodstream, the situation must be treated immediately—specifically with hyaluronidase.
Complications are extremely rare, but everyone involved in the treatment must still be prepared to administer hyaluronidase. The medication must always be within reach, and it must be possible to administer it quickly and safely if necessary.
Please make sure to check with the practitioner performing your filler treatment that they have hyaluronidase on hand and know how to use it in case of an emergency.
How do you remove lip filler?
In some cases, lip filler removal can be performed using a needle, especially when dealing with a clear, superficial, and well-defined capsule. In such situations, it is sufficient to make a small hole in the capsule through which the accumulated filler is squeezed out.
In most cases, however, hyaluronidase is required. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid-based fillers in the tissue in a controlled manner.
A needle or the hyaluronidase enzyme?
- Needle removal: a superficial, well-defined capsule
- Hyaluronidase: broad, diffusely distributed areas of filler
Hyaluronidase breaks down only hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronidase is effective only on hyaluronic acid-based fillers. If the filler is, for example, calcium hydroxylapatite or lactic acid, removal is significantly more challenging and, in some cases, even impossible—even with surgical methods.
The same applies to impurities and foreign substances found in cheap fillers, which, unfortunately, are present in many low-quality products. Hyaluronidase is unable to break down these substances.
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down only hyaluronic acid.
What happens during lip filler removal?
Before dissolving the lip filler, Laura carefully examines the treatment area.
I carefully examine and assess the treated area, including the condition of the surrounding tissues. If necessary, I perform a small skin test on your arm to check for an allergic reaction. Once everything is in order, I carefully numb your lips before beginning the filler dissolution procedure.
During the procedure, hyaluronidase is injected directly into the filler. It begins breaking down the hyaluronic acid immediately. If a large amount of filler needs to be dissolved, or if it has spread over a wide area, additional treatment sessions may be necessary.
In many cases, a single treatment is enough. However, it's important to be prepared for the possibility that a second treatment may be needed 2 to 4 weeks later.
After filler dissolving
- Avoid wearing makeup on the day of your treatment.
- Sleep on your back and avoid putting pressure on your face.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity for 24 hours.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours.
- Avoid smoking for 24 hours.
- Do not touch or rub the treated area.
- Avoid hot showers, saunas, and sunbathing until the swelling goes down.
- You can apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth or paper to the affected area for 10 minutes at a time, 3–5 times a day.
- You can wear makeup the next day.
- If bruises appear in the area, you can cover them with makeup in the days following the treatment.
- We can perform another filler treatment on the same area no sooner than one month from now.
Download the Aftercare Instructions (fi & en)
Cost of lip filler removal
The cost of lip filler removal depends on the amount of Amphadase* required and the number of treatment sessions needed. In many cases, a single vial of Amphadase is sufficient. However, if there is a large amount of filler or it has migrated into a wider area, two or more vials may be required.
*) Amphadase is the brand name for hyaluronidase. Amphadase hyaluronidase is a prescription drug, and one that requires special authorization.
at VM Aesthetics are as follows:
- 1 hyaluronidase ampoule €350
- 2 vials, €450
I'll go over the prices with you before treatment so there are no unexpected additional costs. I want the entire treatment process to be completely transparent from start to finish.
Did you know that?
- Hyaluronidase breaks down only hyaluronic acid, not the skin's own collagen or other compounds.
- Hyaluronidase also breaks down the skin’s own hyaluronic acid. This is a needless concern. The skin’s own hyaluronic acid is replenished within 24 to 72 hours. So, as far as the skin’s own hyaluronic acid is concerned, the situation is quickly resolved.
- Dissolving the filler does not cause the face to sag. If your features feel hollow after removal, this is because the filler had previously masked the natural signs of aging.
- Hyaluronidase takes effect quickly, but its effects persist in the tissue to some extent for several days after treatment is completed. For this reason, I recommend waiting at least two weeks before performing another filler treatment on the treated area.
- Sometimes the filler has settled deep beneath the skin or migrated over a larger area than expected. In these cases, it may take more than one treatment session to achieve the final result.
I always perform lip filler dissolution carefully and without rushing. For safety reasons, I never use more than the recommended dose of hyaluronidase. I take a conservative approach, preferring to use too little rather than too much in a single session. If needed, additional hyaluronidase can be administered in a controlled manner at a follow-up appointment. This approach helps achieve a natural-looking result while preserving as much of your own tissue as possible.
Side effects, risks, and complications
These are common, temporary reactions associated with the use of hyaluronidase:
- Swelling and redness: common during the first few days, usually mild and temporary.
- Bruising: Bruises may appear at the injection sites, but they will go away on their own within a few days.
- Tenderness or itching: You may experience mild tenderness or itching at the treatment site.
- Temporary asymmetry: swelling or uneven dissolution of the filler may cause temporary asymmetry.
Although lip filler removal is generally a safe procedure, hyaluronidase treatment carries some risks.
- Allergic reaction: Rare, but possible. That is why I perform an allergy test before treatment, if necessary.
- Overdose: Excessive use of hyaluronidase may dry out the skin.
- Incomplete dissolution of the filler: In some cases, the filler does not dissolve completely after a single treatment session. Additional treatments always entail additional costs.
Although hyaluronidase is generally a well-tolerated drug, it is important to remember that it can, in rare cases, cause an allergic reaction.
Reactions may occur immediately after the injection or may be delayed. Symptoms range from mild redness, itching, and local swelling to more serious reactions, such as widespread hives or respiratory symptoms.
That is why I carefully assess each patient’s condition before treatment and, if necessary, perform a small allergy test on the arm. This ensures that the treatment is as safe as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does lip filler removal hurt?
Lip filler removal is usually not painful. Before the procedure, the treatment area can be numbed to make you more comfortable. You may feel a slight pinch or pressure during the injections, but significant pain is rare.
When can I exercise?
I recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours. You can engage in light physical activity, such as walking, on the same day.
How soon can I go back to work?
You can return to work right away if you feel well. Sometimes there may be swelling or bruising in the area, which could be a social barrier, for example, in customer service work. The swelling usually goes down within a couple of days.
How much does lip filler removal cost?
at VM Aesthetics hyaluronidase ampoule costs 350 euros. If two ampoules are needed during the same visit, the total cost is 450 euros. The amount required depends on the volume, type, and location of the filler to be removed.
How quickly does hyaluronidase take effect?
Hyaluronidase begins to break down the hyaluronic acid-based filler rapidly. Changes may be visible within the first few hours, but the final result is usually assessed after about 1–2 weeks.
Will the lip filler be completely removed?
In most cases, a large portion of the hyaluronic acid filler can be removed with hyaluronidase. Sometimes small amounts of the filler may remain in the tissues. In such cases, the treatment can be repeated.
Can I get lip fillers again after having them removed?
Yes, you can. A new filler treatment can usually be performed once the treated area has healed and the final results have been evaluated. The appropriate timing will be determined on an individual basis during your appointment.
When should lip fillers be removed?
Lip filler dissolution may be considered if you're unhappy with the results, your lips appear asymmetrical, the filler has migrated, or your lips have more volume than you'd like.
Can hyaluronidase also break down the body's own hyaluronic acid?
Yes. Hyaluronidase also temporarily breaks down the body’s own hyaluronic acid. However, the body constantly produces more of it, so the effect is usually temporary.
Are you worried about having your lip fillers removed?
If you’re considering lip filler removal or want to make sure it’s the right choice for you, book an appointment for a free, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Laura Juopperi.
