Consult a Professional
The fastest and most secure way to dissolve lip fillers is by consulting a professional cosmetic physician to administer hyaluronidase injections that break down the fillers. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme responsible for the rapid degradation of hyaluronic acid, normally reducing the volume of a filler within a few hours to days after injection.
The doctor will calculate the appropriate dose and determine the local subcutaneous injection sites based on your condition to ensure even dissolution. Overdose can induce lip indentation, over-dissolution, or uneven distribution of fillers. Hyaluronidase has potential side effects, such as allergic reactions and local infections; therefore, it must be injected by professional doctors.
Around 85% of patients will have a good dissolution result with a single hyaluronidase injection. Some patients may need more than one injection to fully degrade the filler. Notably, there is great individual variation in the effectiveness of hyaluronidase—in some patients, impressive improvement is evident within 24 hours, while others may take longer for complete dissolution.
Massage
Massaging the lips after filling may promote an even distribution of the filler and possibly hasten the metabolism process. The effectiveness of massage depends upon the precision of the technique; incorrect massage can cause the filler to shift, leading to uneven distribution or even damage to the lip tissue. Therefore, it is better to consult the doctor before starting massage.
Massage can be helpful in allowing the body to absorb the filler more completely, though it does not directly dissolve hyaluronic acid. Usually, doctors advise starting massage one week after injection to prevent problems that may occur from over-manipulation before the fillers have stabilized. The most common type of massage involves gently rubbing the lips so the hyaluronic acid fillers can be evenly distributed and might help relieve local discomfort.
Massage is usually performed as a method of post-filler care. While massage can be a good option to enhance the effect of the filler, it cannot significantly shorten the natural metabolic time of the filler. Therefore, it is best to consult with the doctor before doing so.
Dissolving Lip Filler
Increase Water Intake
Hyaluronic acid is highly hygroscopic in nature; hence, it attracts considerable amounts of water and maintains hydration within the tissues. Greater intake of water speeds up body metabolism to break down hyaluronic acid fillers. While water intake does not dissolve fillers, it could speed up the body’s metabolic processes related to hyaluronic acid.
Daily intake of sufficient water keeps metabolic processes running smoothly, which improves the breakdown of hyaluronic acid. Clinical observations have established that those who drink enough water can metabolize hyaluronic acid fillers at a higher speed. The body takes 6 to 12 months to absorb fillers, but with good water intake, this process may be shortened by 10 to 15 percent.
Although increasing water intake is not a speedy way to dissolve fillers, it is a harmless and beneficial measure for overall health. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water (about 2 liters) daily helps speed up metabolism, accelerating the absorption of hyaluronic acid.
Warm Compress
Theoretically, warm compresses can hasten the metabolic process of hyaluronic acid by improving local blood flow. When a warm compress is applied, the lip area experiences greater blood flow, which, in turn, may increase the speed at which metabolic waste is cleared out and possibly accelerate the natural breakdown of the filler. Generally speaking, warm and wet towels may be used for the compress, lasting 5–10 minutes each time, 1–2 times a day.
The temperature of the compress should be moderate; too high a temperature might cause skin burns or local swelling. Those who have just received injections of hyaluronic acid are better off waiting a couple of days before starting warm compresses to avoid unnecessary inflammation or movement of fillers.
Warm compresses mainly relieve post-injection swelling and bruising, with very little effect on the dissolution speed of fillers. Doctors usually recommend warm compresses as an auxiliary method for patients who want to relieve discomfort after the procedure. Note that warm compresses cannot directly dissolve fillers; they only indirectly help metabolism by improving blood circulation.
Wait for Natural Dissolution
HA fillers are materials that will naturally biodegrade inside the body; over time, most hyaluronic acid fillers are absorbed and metabolized by the body, which may take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on the product used, the patient’s metabolism, lifestyle habits, among other factors.
This can vary from product to product; longer-lasting filler products may take as long as 18 months or more to completely metabolize, while softer products are completely absorbed in six to nine months. Based on clinical data, about 70% of patients find that within a period of 12 months, most of the lip fillers are metabolized.
You can slightly hasten the natural process of dissolution with increased water intake, gentle massage, and appropriate warm compresses if you choose to wait for dissolution to occur naturally. It takes time for the natural process of dissolution to occur, but there is no added risk with this approach.
Dissolving Lip Filler
Avoid Certain Treatments
During the time the filler is dissolving, certain cosmetic treatments should be avoided unless advised by a doctor, as they may accelerate its degradation. Other cosmetic technologies exist, like lasers, radiofrequency, and ultrasound; generally, these can hasten the breakdown of hyaluronic acid but are usually intended for skin issues and not specifically developed to dissolve these fillers.
Laser and radiofrequency technologies use heat to accelerate metabolism in tissues, which may speed up the breakdown of hyaluronic acid to some extent. Performing these treatments prematurely after injection of a lip filler may lead to dislodged, misshapen breakdown, or even inflammatory activity. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid them except when clearly advised by the doctor.
It is also important to avoid excessive heat treatments that may affect the structure of the filler through high-intensity lasers or radiofrequency devices, leading it to dissolve too quickly or irregularly. Other cosmetic treatments, therefore, ideally ought to be considered only after the filler is fully absorbed or dissolved.
