How is lip filler dissolved?
By Dr Rachael Syvret
Lips, lips, lips! Lip augmentation is one of the most common aesthetic procedures to be carried out. From younger girls looking to increase their pout-ability, to the more mature client looking to replace lost volume and everyone in-between; it seems everyone is all about the lips these days!
Lip augmentation at Underlining Beauty.
With increased popularity however, comes an increase in complications, side effects and people not happy with their results. So just as lip filler is increasingly popular, so too is lip dissolving.
Sometimes lip filler has to be dissolved for emergency reasons. This typically occurs when there has been compromise to the blood supply to the lips as filler has either entered the blood vessel or is pressing on it. In this circumstance; heat and an ointment is applied to the lip and surrounding area to help to dilate the blood vessel, and then a high concentration of the dissolving enzyme is injected. This is not an “opt-in or out” situation. This is an emergency. So before we move on to talk about the lip dissolving procedure itself, let’s look at some of the most common non-emergency reasons that lead to clients opting to have their lips dissolved.
Why do people choose to have their lip filler dissolved?
- Over filling
Far too often; clients want to go too big, too quick. Injecting too much filler in one sitting, means that the lip cannot stretch enough to accommodate the filler and the filler migrates outside of the lip tissue and over spills into the surrounding area. This can produce the “trout pout” or “Homer Simpson” upper lip look, which let’s face it, is not a good one! Little and often is the way to add volume to smaller lips. It is important to remember it is a process to achieve the desired final result.
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2. Lumps and bumps
These can occur for various reasons. The filler may have been injected too deep or too superficially. The type of filler used may be a low cost brand and therefore more likely to form lumps in the lips. Or sometimes, it can be just the fact that you are unlucky. We are all different, and unfortunately there is no way of knowing how your body will respond to filler until you start injecting.
3. Embrace the “au-natural” look
Sometimes people opt to have their filler dissolved as they decide it is no longer the look for them. Although most fillers are said to only last approximately twelve months, for some clients they can last many years. In these cases some clients may decide to have their filler dissolved.
So dissolving itself…what does it entail?
Fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid. This means that they are broken down by the injection of the enzyme hyaluronidase. Before the dissolving procedure can take place, it is important to ensure that the client will not have an allergic reaction to the hyaluronidase.
A small injection of the product is placed under the skin of the forearm and observed to check there is no associated swelling, redness or itching. If the client does not have any of these symptoms, it is safe to go ahead and perform the dissolving procedure.
Just like with injecting the flips with filler; it is important to apply numbing cream to the lips before dissolving them. Once the numbing cream has taken effect, the dissolving agent is injected into the lips and massage applied to help break down the filler. This can sting but most patients tolerate it ok.
The hyaluronidase continues to work for up to a week. After this period of time, the patient can then chose to have their lips re-filled if they wish to.
Lip augmentation done right can be amazing! At Underlining Beauty, we pride ourselves on natural results always, and our advice is to start with small enhancements. We aim to enhance the lip’s size and shape whilst maintaining a natural look, so that the filler is undetected by others.
If you’re considering lip augmentation, contact Underlining Beauty for a free, no obligation consultation with one of our friendly practitioners.
