Deciding to dissolve lip filler often feels like a bigger step than having filler in the first place. Many of the people I see for this treatment have spent months feeling unsure about their lips, whether because of migration, lumpiness, or simply a result that no longer feels like them. The good news is that hyaluronic acid filler can usually be dissolved. In this guide I will explain exactly what happens before, during and after a dissolving appointment, so you know what to expect at every stage.
I am Dima Alomar, a GPhC-registered Clinical Prescriber Pharmacist, and I carry out every filler dissolving and correction treatment personally at our Wimpole Street clinic in the Harley Street medical district. Many of the patients I treat had their original filler at another clinic, and there is never any judgement here. My role is to assess the area honestly, explain what is realistic, and help you move towards a result you feel comfortable with.
Why do people dissolve lip filler?
The reasons vary, but most fall into a few familiar groups:
- Filler migration. Filler that has moved from where it was placed, most commonly lip filler migrating above the lip border. If you suspect this is what you are seeing, my guide to lip filler migration and how it is corrected covers the signs and causes in detail.
- Lumps and unevenness. Palpable or visible lumps, bumps or asymmetry that have not settled.
- Overfilled or unnatural results. Too much volume, an overdone look, or a loss of natural facial proportion.
- A fresh start. You would like to remove old filler before starting again with a new, considered plan.
Whatever the reason, the process is the same, and it is often quicker than people expect.
What is the filler dissolved with?
Lip filler is dissolved using hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid so your body can clear it naturally. Hyaluronic acid is the most common type of filler used in the lips, which is why this treatment is usually straightforward and effective. Hyaluronidase does not dissolve non-hyaluronic-acid products such as collagen stimulators, so part of my consultation is confirming, wherever possible, what was originally injected.
Hyaluronidase can only be prescribed and administered by a qualified medical prescriber. It requires careful dosing and a thorough understanding of facial anatomy, because the aim is to dissolve the unwanted filler without affecting your natural tissue. It also carries a small risk of allergic reaction, which is exactly why this treatment belongs in medical hands.
Before your appointment: consultation and patch test
Every dissolving treatment begins with a thorough consultation and assessment. I will examine the area, ask about your filler history, and confirm whether dissolving is genuinely the right approach. Sometimes a targeted correction is more appropriate than full removal, and occasionally the honest answer is to let recent filler settle before making any decision. You will always hear my genuine clinical opinion.
Where appropriate, a patch test is carried out beforehand to check for any sensitivity to hyaluronidase. Given the small risk of allergic reaction, this is a sensible precaution, and it is one of the markers of a medically led clinic.
What happens during the treatment?
On treatment day, the area is cleansed and the enzyme is injected precisely into the areas of unwanted filler. The treatment itself takes around 15 to 30 minutes. Most people find it very tolerable: the injections are quick, any discomfort is brief, and the area may feel tender for a day or two afterwards.
Precision matters here. Dissolving is not a case of flooding the lips with enzyme. I target the specific areas of filler causing the problem, whether that is a migrated shelf above the lip border or a firm lump within the body of the lip, with careful dosing so that your natural tissue is respected.
The first 24 to 48 hours
This is the window in which most of the visible change happens, and it helps to know what is normal:
- Immediately afterwards, you can expect some swelling and redness, and occasionally bruising.
- Over the first day or two, the enzyme breaks down the treated filler and your body clears it naturally. The area may feel tender during this time.
- By 24 to 48 hours, most of the effect is visible and the area returns towards its natural state.
As the filler dissolves, the lips will look softer and may appear deflated at first, because both the filler and any volume it was creating are removed. This settles as the swelling subsides, and it is not a sign that anything has gone wrong.
One to two weeks: the full result
Although most of the change happens within 24 to 48 hours, the final result is visible at one to two weeks, once all swelling has resolved. This is the point at which we assess the outcome properly. Stubborn or larger amounts of filler, particularly older product that has been in place for a long time, may need a second session; most people need one to two sessions in total. Once the treated filler has been broken down and cleared, it does not return.
Will my lips look worse than before filler?
This is the question I am asked most often, and it deserves a straight answer. Once swelling settles, the treated area returns towards how it looked before filler. The lips may appear softer or smaller at first, because the filler and the volume it created are both removed. This is normal and expected, not a complication.
Is filler dissolving safe?
In the hands of a qualified medical prescriber, filler dissolving is a well-established treatment, and hyaluronidase has been used in medicine for decades. The main consideration is the small risk of allergic reaction, which is why a patch test may be carried out beforehand and why the treatment should always be performed by a prescriber who can assess, dose and manage any reaction.
The fresh start
For many patients, dissolving is not the end of the story but the beginning of a better one. If you would like new filler after dissolving, I recommend waiting around two weeks so the area can settle fully before any fresh treatment. Starting from a clean baseline allows the new filler to be placed exactly where it should sit, in the right amount, rather than layered over an old problem.
When we rebuild, my approach to dermal filler treatment in London is conservative and medically led. The goal is balance and proportion, never volume for its own sake.
How much does filler dissolving cost?
At DimAllure, filler dissolving starts from £200 per area. If you choose to have new filler once the area has settled, dermal fillers start from £300 per ml, with lip filler from £350 per ml. Your £50 consultation fee is fully redeemable against treatment if you choose to go ahead.
If you are unhappy with previous lip filler, or you simply want a considered medical opinion on whether dissolving is right for you, I would be glad to see you.
Book a consultation at 2nd Floor, 2 Wimpole St, London W1G 0EB. All consultations are £50, fully redeemable against your treatment.
DimAllure
2nd Floor, 2 Wimpole St, London W1G 0EB
Personally administered by Dima Alomar, GPhC-registered Clinical Prescriber Pharmacist
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Related reading: Lip filler migration: signs, causes and correction.
Your £50 consultation fee is fully redeemable against your treatment.