Dissolve lip filler in Singapore: how lip filler dissolving works and what to expect

Can lip filler be dissolved?

Lip filler can be dissolved if it is made of hyaluronic acid, by a doctor injecting an enzyme (hyaluronidase) that breaks the gel into small fragments the body then absorbs. Most lip fillers are hyaluronic acid, which is one reason it is the usual choice for lips: it can be reduced or removed if needed.

• What can be dissolved: hyaluronic acid filler in the lip body, along the lip border or in the skin above the lip, whether placed recently or years ago.
• What cannot: materials that are not hyaluronic acid, such as silicone or polyacrylamide gel; the enzyme has no effect on them.
• Who does it: the enzyme is a prescription medicine, so in Singapore it is given by a doctor after a consultation.
• Whole lip or part: the doctor can treat one lump or ledge, one lip, or all the filler, depending on the problem.

If you do not know what was injected, the doctor works from your history, the feel of the lip and, where useful, an ultrasound scan. This page covers what to expect when lips are dissolved. For other areas, see dissolving filler in Singapore, and for the wider range of filler problems, see filler correction at SkinRev Lab.

Why do people dissolve lip filler?

People dissolve lip filler most often because it has spread above the lip line, because the lips look too large or out of proportion, or because of lumps and unevenness. Wanting to return to a natural look after years of top-ups is also common, and is a reasonable choice.

• A ledge or shelf above the lip: filler sitting in the skin above the border, sometimes called a filler moustache. See lip filler migration.
• A projecting, duck-like profile: too much volume for the lip to carry, or volume in the wrong layer. See signs of too much filler.
• Lumps or beads: small firm areas that can be felt or seen once swelling has gone. See filler lumps and nodules.
• Asymmetry: one side fuller, or a blurred border on one side.
• A change of mind: the result is technically sound but no longer suits you.
• Urgently: a suspected blocked blood vessel, where dissolving is an emergency treatment and not a cosmetic one.

Timing matters. Lips swell more than most areas after filler, and early lumpiness or unevenness often settles within about two weeks, so doctors usually prefer to review at that point before dissolving anything. See filler swelling: what is normal. The exception is any sign of a blood vessel problem, such as skin turning pale, dusky or mottled, or severe or escalating pain: go to an emergency department now.

What happens when lip filler is dissolved at SkinRev Lab?

At SkinRev Lab, lip filler is dissolved by Dr Sin Yong, medical adviser, in a visit that begins with a history and examination and ends with aftercare advice and a review date. Filler correction sessions typically take 30 to 60 minutes.

1. History: the filler products and dates, any earlier dissolving, your medicines, allergies, and recent illness or dental work.
2. Examination and photographs: the lips at rest and in movement, including smiling and speaking.
3. Ultrasound where useful: a scan can show whether filler sits in the lip body, along the border or in the skin above, and where the lip arteries run.
4. Allergy assessment: questions about past reactions and insect sting allergy, with a small skin test where appropriate.
5. Numbing: numbing cream is applied before treatment.
6. The enzyme: small amounts are placed into the unwanted filler through a fine needle or cannula. There is no fixed dose; the amount depends on the type, quantity and age of the filler.
7. Aftercare and review: you are told what to expect and when to come back.

The aim is to place the enzyme in the deposit that is causing the problem, so that filler you want to keep can stay where possible. Doing nothing, or waiting, is always discussed as an option. You can see how scanning is used in the ultrasound filler mapping video.

What to expect after dissolving lip filler: a timeline

After lip filler is dissolved, the lips usually swell for a day or two while the filler softens over a day to a few days, and the settled result is judged about two weeks later. The enzyme acts for roughly 24 to 48 hours, and denser, more cross-linked fillers may take up to 48 hours to respond (King and colleagues, 2018).

Swelling in the lips tends to be more noticeable than elsewhere on the face, so it helps to plan a quiet day or two. If a bruise appears, see bruising after filler for what is normal. Your doctor will advise when you can return to make-up, exercise and other lip treatments.

How many sessions does it take to dissolve lip filler?

Many small lip filler problems need one dissolving session, while larger amounts, dense or long-standing filler and several layers from repeated top-ups often need two or more. A UK guideline on the enzyme says results can be assessed from 48 hours and treatment repeated at intervals of 48 hours or longer, depending on the reason for treatment (King and colleagues, 2018).

One session is more likely when:

• There is a single lump, a small ledge or mild overfill.
• The filler is a soft product placed fairly recently.
• The deposit can be located precisely.

More than one session is more likely when:

• Filler has been topped up many times over the years.
• The product is firm and heavily cross-linked.
• Filler has spread above the lip border as well as sitting in the lip.
• You want to keep some volume, so the doctor dissolves cautiously and reviews.

Dissolving in stages is slower, but it lowers the chance of taking away more than you wanted. Results with the enzyme can be somewhat unpredictable from person to person (King and colleagues, 2018), which is another reason to review before repeating. If a firm area does not respond at all, the doctor will reconsider whether it is hyaluronic acid, scar tissue or another material.

Will my lips look deflated after dissolving filler?

Lips can look flatter, thinner or more lined than expected in the first days after dissolving, and in most cases this reflects the change from swollen, filled lips to settling lips, not lasting damage. It is one of the most common worries, so it is worth understanding before treatment.

• The contrast is large: you go from filled lips, to swollen lips, to lips with less filler within a few days.
• The enzyme is not selective: it can also break down some of the body's own hyaluronic acid, which may cause some loss of volume (King and colleagues, 2018). The body makes hyaluronic acid continuously, so this part is expected to recover.
• Skin that has been stretched: lips that carried a large volume for years may take time to tighten, and may not look exactly as they did before any filler.
• Memory plays a part: many people have not seen their unfilled lips for years.

For these reasons the settled result is judged at about two weeks and not in the first few days, and no doctor can promise that lips will return exactly to their earlier shape. Bringing an old photo of your lips before filler helps set a realistic goal. If repeated filling has changed how the tissue behaves, see filler fatigue.

Side effects and warning signs after lip filler dissolving

The common side effects of lip filler dissolving are swelling, redness, itch or tenderness at the injection sites for a day or two, small needle marks and sometimes bruising. Allergic reactions to the enzyme are uncommon, and severe ones are rare; a guideline reports local reactions in well under 1 in 100 treatments, while noting that under-reporting is likely (King and colleagues, 2018).

Go to an emergency department now if you have:

• Swelling of the tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, widespread hives or faintness.
• Skin on or around the lips turning pale, dusky or mottled.
• Rapidly worsening swelling of the lips or face.
• Severe or escalating pain.
• Any change in vision (call 995).
• Spreading redness with fever.

Contact your doctor the same day for:

• Swelling that keeps increasing after the second day.
• Marked itching or a rash at the treated area.
• Blisters or a cold sore on the lips.
• Heat, pus or increasing tenderness.

A skin test is advised in guidelines before non-urgent dissolving, although a clear test cannot rule out a later reaction (King and colleagues, 2018). Tell the doctor if you have ever reacted to a bee or wasp sting, because insect venom can contain a similar enzyme. For a fuller account, see hyaluronidase side effects.

Who should wait before dissolving lip filler?

Dissolving lip filler is postponed or planned differently in pregnancy, when there is an active infection or broken skin on the lips, and in people with a known allergy to the enzyme or an untreated bee or wasp sting allergy. Dr Sin Yong checks for each of these before treatment.

• Known allergy to the enzyme: a different plan is needed.
• Bee or wasp sting allergy, especially wasp: an allergy specialist's review comes first.
• Pregnancy: dissolving is not advised, and non-urgent correction can wait.
• An active cold sore, infection or broken skin on the lips: this is treated first. A guideline advises against using the enzyme in infected skin except in an emergency (King and colleagues, 2018).
• Filler that is not hyaluronic acid: the enzyme will not work, and other options are discussed.
• Filler placed in the last two weeks: swelling may still be the main cause of the problem, so a review often comes before dissolving, unless there are urgent signs.
• A very small irregularity: one that is barely visible may not be worth treating.

If you tend to get cold sores, tell the doctor, because injections around the mouth can trigger a flare and your doctor will advise on prevention. Redness, heat or pus in a lip that was filled recently is assessed for infection first, not dissolved on request. Being advised to wait is not a refusal to help; it usually means the timing, or the diagnosis, needs to be right first.

When can lip filler be redone after dissolving?

Lip filler can be redone once the swelling from dissolving has gone and the settled lips have been reviewed, which is not before the review at about two weeks and is often later. The enzyme itself is active for only about 24 to 48 hours (King and colleagues, 2018), so the wait is about seeing the true starting point, not about the enzyme attacking new filler.

• Why wait: swelling hides the real shape, and filling over it risks adding more than is needed.
• What the review checks: whether any old filler remains, and where, with a repeat scan where useful.
• How refilling differs: it is usually a smaller amount, placed in the layer that needs it, and reviewed before any more is added.
• You may not need any: some people prefer their settled lips and stop there.

If you would like subtle volume again, see lip filler in Singapore for how it is planned, and filler after dissolving for timing across the rest of the face. Repeated cycles of filling and dissolving are worth avoiding, so it helps to spend time on the second decision.

How much does it cost to dissolve lip filler in Singapore?

At SkinRev Lab, dissolving lip filler is priced at consultation, after Dr Sin Yong has assessed the lips, because the plan differs from person to person. A price is not published for this treatment; what decides the cost of dissolving in general is covered in our guide to dissolving filler in Singapore.

What affects the price:

• The consultation and any imaging.
• The amount and type of filler, and how long it has been there.
• Whether only the lips are involved, or the skin above them and nearby areas as well.
• The number of sessions needed.
• Allergy assessment and follow-up.

Questions to ask any provider before you book:

• Is the treatment carried out by a doctor?
• Is the price per session or for the whole plan, and is a review included?
• How is allergy checked beforehand?
• How is the filler located before the enzyme is placed?
• What happens if some filler remains afterwards?

SkinRev Lab is at #B1-28 CityLink Mall, by City Hall MRT, and is open daily from 11am to 8pm; you can ask about an assessment by WhatsApp. If you were treated elsewhere, bring the product name and dates if you have them, though an assessment is still possible without them.