Risks Of Reverse Filler

Hyaluronidase Enzyme to reverse your lip filler

The risks of Hyaluronidase enzyme to reverse filler

After having the hyaluronic acid (lip filler), patients sometimes decide they do not like it or that it has not been done in the correct way and want to have it reversed.

Hyaluronidase enzyme is known for its use in melting or reversing lip HA fillers that are dermal fillers to help volumise the face. With that said, it is always good to point out the benefits and the risks of any treatment.

Hyaluronic acid can be reversed by Hyaluronidase enzyme

The Hyaluronidase enzyme speeds up a break down of hyaluronic acid (Lip filler). It works very quickly though it can have side effects and these include: 

1. A probable minimal and temporary effect on your own natural hyaluronic acid, which then re-grows after the injection. 
2. A return to the normal to any features that you wanted to remove by having the filler in the first place such as dark circles under the eyes or hollows in the cheeks.
3. Discomfort and swelling immediately following the Hyaluronidase, which can last for two or three days.
4. An immediate allergic reaction to the injection with immediate redness and swelling, which can precipitate a more generalised allergic response if not detected and treated rapidly.

Injecting Hyaluronidase, is a common and preferred treatment and it does carry the above risks and patients often do not realise that it is a medical treatment that has to be done by a doctor with a prescription.

Many patients want to have only part of the hyaluronic acid reversed by the Hyaluronidase enzyme, this can be difficult to estimate. For instance, in the under eye area called the tear troughs for dark circles reversing the hyaluronic acid is very easy so a minute amount is used. However, depending on the hyaluronic acid itself, more Hyaluronidase may well be required.

It also depends on where the injection has been and how compact the tissue is. For instance, sometimes reversing hyaluronic acid in the lips can be unpredictable because the tissue is very dense and the hyaluronic can be more resistant in that area. In the cheeks, if what I call a heavier hyaluronic acid is being used over a larger area (meaning a larger volume of initial HA), then again more enzyme is required with multiple small injections done and either a half or whole vial may well be required at one sitting.

How soon can I have new HA filler re-injected?

We know that within 30 minutes the majority of the HA filler is reversed by the enzyme. We also know that the process can continue for 24 hours after the reversal with the Hyaluronidase injection. However,  HA filler will not be redone immediately due to risk of the enzyme still being present. This means it will be very difficult to judge how much and where more hyaluronic acid (HA) should be injected.

Therefore re-injection should only be performed by experienced practitioners who can assess the area and who have been given adequate information as to the quantity and type of HA that was injected. We can then advise the patient accordingly whether they are suitable and then choose the correct amount of Hyaluronidase to inject.

Oculoplastic surgeons here at Clinica London inject HA fillers and are often well qualified to use perform reversal because we have a wide experience.

If you are considering Lip Filler Reversal treatment you can see our prices for treatment and consultation.

Read more about Filler Reversal treatment.