Hyaluronidase Injection
Hyaluronidase is currently considered the most effective and fastest-acting way to degrade hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Most lip fillers contain hyaluronic acid as an active ingredient, including Juvederm and Restylane. It works by degrading hyaluronic acid molecules, which then allows the body to absorb these fillers quickly to achieve a certain effect in a short period. In fact, studies have established that results from hyaluronidase injections usually start showing within 24 to 48 hours, though in some cases, the results can be seen within a few hours.
Hyaluronidase’s biggest benefit is the efficiency and accuracy of the process. For those experiencing problems such as overfilling, incorrect injection placement, or side effects, hyaluronidase can rectify the problem promptly. This may be witnessed in cases where patients develop lumps or uneven areas following injections of lip fillers. Hyaluronidase injections can smooth these out quickly and return the lips to their normal outline.
Of course, there are some precautions when using hyaluronidase. This treatment is effective only for hyaluronic acid-based fillers and does not work on other materials, such as calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) or poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra). Hypersensitivity reactions to hyaluronidase are extremely rare; however, a skin allergy test is often recommended before injection for safety reasons. Therefore, the injection should be performed by an experienced medical professional to ensure the filler is dissolved evenly and naturally, as side effects may occur due to improper handling. According to statistics, more than 80% of patients are satisfied with the results of hyaluronidase injections, which remain a procedure requiring careful operation.
Massage and Increasing Blood Circulation
Gentle massage in the days immediately following the injections can also help settle lip fillers better and, at times, may accelerate their breakdown. Regarding local lumps or uneven areas which form following injections of fillers, proper massage can evenly distribute the fillers inside the lip area, thus avoiding any noticeable bulges or indentations.
Another effective method to encourage breakdown is by increasing blood circulation. When there is increased blood flow, the body’s metabolic activity increases, hence helping to break down hyaluronic acid naturally a lot faster. Those who wish to naturally hasten the breaking down process can make use of a warm compress as a simple and effective tool. Apply a warm towel to the lip area for about 10-15 minutes each time. This soothes post-injection discomfort and also helps improve local blood circulation, which, in turn, makes the absorption of fillers take place much faster.
However, massaging requires proper method and timing. If done too much and too early, the evenness in the distribution of the fillers may get disturbed, leading to undesirable effects. Doctors usually advise against any form of external pressure in the first three days following injection. Then you can try massaging gently for a few minutes each day. Heat compresses can be combined for better results. Actual data shows that about 30% of users of fillers believe this method slightly speeds up the breakdown process.
Exercise and Heat Compress
Exercise is generally good for health and can also help, to some extent, in breaking down fillers a little bit faster. This is due to the fact that you are able to increase your metabolism rate through exercises. Acting like foreign substances in the body, fillers metabolize or get absorbed more quickly when the body is in an active metabolic state. Some medical research shows that moderate aerobic exercises, such as running or swimming, increase blood circulation and hence raise metabolic efficiency in subcutaneous tissues, thereby accelerating natural disintegration processes of hyaluronic acid fillers.
What’s more, heat compresses are considered one of the effective ways to speed up the degradation of lip fillers. Since blood flow in the lip area can be promoted by raising the local temperature, cellular metabolism can be further enhanced. It is believed that the breakdown rate of fillers will be faster in situations where the body is in a sweaty and blood-vessel-expanding condition, such as in a sauna or hot yoga. However, it is necessary to take a moderate approach to using heat compresses. If done too frequently or if the temperature is too high, it may burn the skin of the lips and lead to adverse effects.
Worth noting, while exercises and heat compresses can speed up the breakdown of hyaluronic acid fillers to a certain extent, their effects are relatively mild and generally suitable for those who just want fillers to be gradually reduced. For rapid and noticeable effects, hyaluronidase injections are still the preferred choice. According to some clinical data, continuous exercise and moderate heat compresses can speed up the breakdown of fillers within 2-3 months.
Topical and Oral Treatments
Some topical medications and oral supplements can help in breaking down fillers. Topical medications containing ingredients like retinoic acid increase the cycle of skin cell renewal. Though used for treating skin conditions, they may sometimes indirectly accelerate hyaluronic acid breakdown. Nevertheless, this effect is highly limited and can’t be relied on as a breakdown method.
Some also believe that oral supplements of bromelain aid in the breakdown of fillers, owing to their anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Bromelain, an enzyme extracted from pineapples, possesses anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Medical studies show that this substance can be useful in lessening the extent of swelling and bruising, especially for postsurgical recovery. However, the mode of action is poorly linked to the degradation of hyaluronic acid but works more appropriately as an adjuvant modality.
Likewise, vitamins E and C are purported to enhance the antioxidant capability of the body, which promotes faster degradation. However, there is limited scientific evidence so far that they may directly assist in degrading hyaluronic acid fillers. Hence, such topical or oral treatments are ancillary in nature to the primary breakdown process.
Time and Patience
Of course, there are a few ways to speed up the process of dissolving lip fillers, but the most organic and least likely to cause any side effects is the passage of time. Hyaluronic acid fillers can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months before being completely metabolized and absorbed into the body. The time depends on one’s metabolism, the type of filler injected, and the amount used.
According to some statistics, about 80% of hyaluronic acid fillers are naturally diminished within 12 months of injection. You can also see considerable reduction in about six months if your dose is small. If rapid results are not needed, allowing the body to take care of these fillers naturally is the safest and most natural option.
While hyaluronic acid fillers can be degraded naturally, not all fillers have that characteristic. Other non-hyaluronic acid fillers, like poly-L-lactic acid, otherwise known as Sculptra, take longer to metabolize, while some fillers never leave the body. Due to this fact, knowing the type of filler and over what period it will break down is important before choosing a lip filler.
