Filler
Dissolving
Correct or reverse unwanted filler safely.
Filler Dissolving
If you are unhappy with past filler, or have lumps, migration or overfilling, we use hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid filler, to correct it or reverse it completely. It restores your natural features or prepares the area for future treatment.
What it helps with
In three steps
We work out what is there
We look at where the filler has gone, how much of it there is and how long it has been in. Old filler often sits differently from how it was placed.
An enzyme is injected
Hyaluronidase, a naturally occurring enzyme, is injected into the filler. It breaks the hyaluronic acid down into fragments your body clears away.
It clears within days
Most of the change happens within 24 to 48 hours. Stubborn or long-standing filler sometimes needs a second visit.
The honest detail
A large share of the people who come to us for this had their filler placed somewhere else, and arrive braced for judgement. There is none. This is a very common appointment.
Why filler needs dissolving
Sometimes it was simply too much. Sometimes it has migrated, which happens most visibly above the lip line, where it creates a shelf. Sometimes it was placed too superficially and shows as a bluish tint. Sometimes it has been there for years, quietly accumulating, and the face has changed shape without anyone deciding that it should. All of these are fixable.
Old filler does not just disappear
The common belief that filler fully dissolves in six to twelve months is not reliably true. Hyaluronic acid can persist for years, particularly in low-movement areas like the cheeks and under the eyes, and it attracts water the whole time. People are often surprised at how much comes out of a face they believed had none left.
What the session actually feels like
Quick. Fifteen to thirty minutes, a small number of injections into the filler itself. It stings briefly. The area swells noticeably within hours, which is part of the process and not a bad sign.
What the days afterwards look like
Day one is swollen and can look worse than before you started. By day two most of the filler has broken down. Bruising is common. By day five to seven the swelling is gone and you can see your actual face, which for people who have had filler for years is sometimes an emotional moment. It is worth being prepared for that.
Dissolving in stages
We rarely remove everything at once unless you want that. Taking it down in stages lets you see the shape emerging and decide how far to go, and it is gentler on the tissue. If you want new filler afterwards we wait at least two weeks, so that we are placing it into settled tissue and can see what we are working with.
Common reasons
- Migration or puffiness, especially lips or under-eyes
- Uneven or lumpy results
- An overfilled look
- Poorly placed or low-quality filler
- Wanting a natural look again
Before & after
What you do in the days either side of your appointment makes a real difference to your result. Print this, screenshot it, or ask us for a copy on the day.
- Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil and alcohol 48 hours before
- Tell us about allergies, especially bee stings or animal proteins
- No makeup on the area
- No facial procedures or dental work for 2 weeks before
- Swelling or mild bruising is common and temporary
- Use a cold compress for short periods in the first 24 hours
- Do not massage the area unless advised
- Wait at least 2 weeks before new filler or facial treatments
- Call us about any unusual symptoms
What happens afterwards
Careful, every time
If you are unhappy with filler someone else placed, you are welcome here and we will not make you feel awkward about it. This is a common request and we treat it kindly.
How we keep you safe
- Assessment and treatment by licensed medical professionals only
- An allergy test is performed before your first treatment with the enzyme
- We dissolve conservatively and in stages, rather than removing everything at once
- We treat clients whose filler was placed elsewhere, without judgement
- We wait at least 2 weeks after dissolving before placing anything new
- Emergency dissolving is prioritized if you have a concern after filler anywhere
This may not be right for you if
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have a known allergy to hyaluronidase or to bee or wasp stings
- You have an active infection at the site
- The filler is not hyaluronic acid, in which case the enzyme will not work
Please tell us about
- What filler you had, where it was placed and roughly when
- Any allergy, particularly to bee or wasp stings
- Whether you have had hyaluronidase before
- What specifically is bothering you, so we dissolve only what needs to go
This page is general information, not medical advice. Every treatment at Permaskin begins with a free consultation, where we review your health history and tell you honestly whether this is the right choice for you. Individual results vary.
Good to know
What filler can be dissolved?
Only hyaluronic acid fillers. Other types cannot be dissolved this way.
How fast does it work?
Most notice softening in 24–48 hours, with full results in a few days.
Is it safe?
Hyaluronidase is FDA-approved and widely used, and it is well tolerated by most people. We allergy test before your first treatment with the enzyme.
Can I get filler again?
Yes, after waiting at least 2 weeks for the area to settle.
Related treatments
Thirty minutes, no pressure
We look at your skin properly
Your history, your concerns, what you have already tried and what your routine looks like now.
We tell you the truth
What will help, what will not, and what you may not need at all. If something else suits you better, we will say so.
You leave with a plan
Written, with clear pricing and no pressure. Whether you book is entirely up to you.