Whether it's celebrities in the news or influencers on social media, there’s been a lot of buzz lately about dermal fillers and the act of reversing or dissolving them. To help you better understand the facts and risks involved, we’re looking to Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger of Schlessinger MD. With their help, we’ll answer questions such as:

• Does filler dissolve on its own?

• How long does it take for filler to dissolve on its own?

• Can dermal fillers be dissolved if desired?

• Is dissolving lip filler an option?

• What type of fillers cannot be dissolved?

• Do cheek fillers migrate?

• What needle-free alternatives to filler can I try at home?

Does filler dissolve on its own?

Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers such as RestylaneⓇ, JuvedermⓇ and Revance RHAⓇ are able to be dissolved and they do even dissolve on their own over time. “An enzyme in your body called hyaluronidase naturally breaks down hyaluronic acid in your body, causing it to dissipate over time. We also have access to synthetic hyaluronidase that we can use to dissolve fillers more rapidly,” says LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger, a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon.

Expertise on when and how fillers should be used is critical to avoiding having to remove them. Dr. Joel Schlessinger has performed numerous clinical trials on fillers over his career, being involved in the process of getting FDA approval for many of the notable fillers such as Restylane LyftⓇ, JuvedermⓇ, RHAⓇ and others.

How long does it take for filler to dissolve on its own?

“How long dermal fillers last depend on not just the product that’s used but also how quickly your body works to naturally metabolize the hyaluronic acid,” says LovelySkin Medical Director Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, who is a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “I tell my patients that they can expect dermal fillers to last anywhere from six to 24 months depending on the type used.”

Can dermal fillers be dissolved if desired?

Yes, it’s possible for hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers to be reversed in your dermatologist’s office with an injection of hyaluronidase, a filler dissolver. “After it’s injected, hyaluronidase helps dissolve filler by breaking down the bonds in the hyaluronic acid so your body can metabolize it more quickly,” Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says.

He continues, “it can be used to help improve the appearance of misplaced filler or an area that’s been overfilled by an unqualified or inexperienced injector. Hyaluronidase might also be injected to dissolve filler in the rare case of a complication after injecting dermal fillers, such as filler blocking a blood vessel or causing an allergic or adverse reaction.”

Though dermal fillers can be dissolved, that doesn’t mean it’s something you’ll want to do often or even at all.

“Using hyaluronidase as a filler dissolver is almost always an unfortunate and unwelcome event as it means the patient is not pleased with the ultimate result, so I try very hard to not overcorrect or overfill patients. It is a fine art to make sure you have injected enough, but not too much, but it is really what patients need and deserve. Also, the process of dissolving fillers can have side effects such as bruising, swelling and skin discoloration,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says.

He adds that “for these reasons, it’s best to avoid the possibility of needing to dissolve filler in the first place by making sure your injections are done by a board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon who has a deep understanding of both the anatomy of the face and the structure of the skin. When filler is injected properly the first time and not placed incorrectly or overfilled, there’s usually no need to consider dissolving them afterward.”

If you’re a filler first-timer and feeling nervous about whether you will like your post-injection results, knowing that filler dissolver is an option may increase your comfort level with trying the procedure. However, that’s all the more reason to visit a qualified injector. “At our practice, we choose filler products thoughtfully, based on the needs of the patient and the area of the face we are treating, and we have the experience needed to achieve the most natural-looking results possible with dermal fillers,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says.

Can lip filler injections be dissolved or reversed?

Yes—hyaluronidase effectively dissolves hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm and Revance RHA. If you received lip filler injections with a hyaluronic acid-based filler, it is possible for a dermatologist to dissolve them with a hyaluronidase injection.

What type of fillers cannot be dissolved?

Hyaluronidase only works to reverse dermal fillers that are hyaluronic acid-based. “Other types of dermal fillers, such as silicone-based fillers, poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra), and polymethylmethacrylate (Radiesse) cannot be dissolved using hyaluronidase,” Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says. “Silicone fillers typically have to be removed surgically, which is a scary and challenging situation.”

Do cheek fillers migrate?

Dermal filler can migrate—that is, move to a part of your face other than where it was injected—after injections in the cheeks, lips or elsewhere on the face. “It is possible for dermal fillers to migrate, but it isn’t exactly what most people assume, where fillers are going willy-nilly all over the place. Yes, they can move slowly or be pushed by people if they truly are working the area, but the most common cause is improper injection,” Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says. “That might entail injecting too much filler, injecting it in the wrong spot or selecting the wrong type of filler product for the area being injected. When injected properly, it’s rare for dermal fillers to migrate.”

Signs that your dermal filler may have migrated could include unwanted fullness in areas that are not where the filler was initially injected, but again, this is rare. If you’re noticing any of these issues, it’s a good idea to visit a board-certified dermatologist. They can determine if filler migration has occurred and determine whether a filler dissolver is recommended or whether it’s best to wait for your body to naturally metabolize the filler on its own.

What needle-free alternatives to filler can I try at home?

Whether you’re not quite ready to try dermal fillers or you need to have your filler dissolved, you might be interested in skin care products that can help achieve a plumping effect without needles. Adding a plumping hyaluronic acid serum to your skin care routine is a good place to start. LovelySkin LUXE HA Peptide Serum helps firm skin and plump fine lines and wrinkles with hyaluronic acid, peptides, apple stem cells and Persian silk tree extract.

We’re also big fans of SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan, a plumping facial serum with a high-concentration hyaluronic acid serum created to be used alone or as a complement to dermal fillers. It provides an instant plumping effect within just fifteen minutes of application and with continued use, helps visibly fill fine lines and improve facial volume.

If injectable lip filler isn’t in your future but you still want to pump up the volume, consider SkinMedica HA5 Smooth & Plump Lip System. The first step in this product duo helps hydrate and plump with a peptide complex and five forms of hyaluronic acid, while the second step adds a rosy hue and adds definition to lips.

If you’re curious about injectables, you might be interested in learning more about the difference between wrinkle relaxers and fillers on the LovelySkin Blog.