Facial Movement: Repeated facial expressions and muscle activity can cause the filler to shift from the treated area over time. Individual Anatomy: Certain facial structures may be more susceptible to filler migration.
It isn't a common occurrence and if treated by a skilled, medical practitioner, the risk of migration is very small. Though it can happen in any area of your face, filler migration is most noticeable on thinner areas of skin, like under your eyes or on the upper lip.
But, if you see small lumps and/or raised skin around the treatment area, this may be an indication your filler has moved slightly or your skin has been overfilled. It is important to remember that some localized swelling is expected after a filler treatment and should resolve on its own.
Calcium hydroxylapatite is biosynthetically produced, which means that no animals or animal products are used. This lowers your risk of an allergic reaction and no skin testing is required. This type of dermal filler is known to produce a very natural result, doesn't migrate and side effects are rare.
Dermal fillers can only migrate so far – usually no more than a couple millimeters from their original injection site. This means if you got dermal fillers for your jawline, you can be assured it won't end up in your cheeks or neck.
Lip filler migration is when the filler moves from the original injection site to surrounding areas. Signs of migration include a lack of definition in the lip borders, puffiness above the upper lip near the vermillion border, or rolled or 'ledge' lips. The area may feel 'squishy' or plump when touched.
The most effective approach is using hyaluronidase injections to dissolve the migrated filler. This enzyme breaks down hyaluronic acid fillers over the course of a few days to gradually reverse the augmentation. Regular injections are done until the desired reduction is achieved.
In some cases, gentle massaging and time may help redistribute the migrated lip filler. However, professional assistance using hyaluronidase injections, which dissolve hyaluronic acid-based fillers, is recommended for a more precise and effective correction.
What is the most common region for filler migration? The paper notes, injections into the nose, lips, nasolabial folds, and forehead, including the glabella, are more often reported for filler migration.
The most important step in preventing filler migration is selecting a qualified and experienced injector, such as our team at Limmer Dermatology. Expertise in facial anatomy and advanced injection techniques ensures precise placement and minimizes risks.
Late complications are defined as those appearing after about 2-6 weeks. They comprise late allergic reactions, chronic inflammation and infection, granulomas, filler migration, loss of function, telangiectasia, and hypertrophic scars.
“Pillow face” occurs when too much filler is injected into areas like the cheeks, nasolabial folds (the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth), lips, and under-eye area. This repeated overfilling can result in a bloated, round appearance that looks far from natural.
The most serious risk associated with dermal fillers is accidental injection into a blood vessel. Filler that enters a blood vessel can cause skin necrosis (death of tissue), stroke, or blindness.
Filler migration
If you sleep on your face or side, the pressure could cause the filler to shift from its intended placement. This may lead to uneven results or filler spreading to unintended areas.
Yes, you can move your filler by accident; however, this often happens in rare cases. For instance, you may move your filler when undergoing a massage, sleeping, or even wearing eyewear immediately after your fillers.
"I've been doing Botox for a long time in my neck, [around] my eyes," she said. "I don't believe in filler. I feel filler does good when you're really young and you want a little bit more cheeks or to plump your lips a little bit. At my age — 51 — I feel it's not going to make you look younger.
Her wrinkle-free complexion and frozen facial appearance point to BOTOX® Cosmetic being the secret behind her youthful appearance. In fact, there was considerable speculation that she went for BOTOX®Cosmetic while pregnant with her daughter.
"I use an ingredient called Tepezcohuite that's used in Mexico for burn victims because it completely regenerates the skin," Hayek told Elle. "Some of the ingredients, when I took them to the American labs, they were like, 'Oh my God! How come nobody is using this?' This is why I have no Botox, no peels, no fillers."
As difficult as it is for the patient to hear, the right action to take is dissolving and starting over. I would say 80% of patients request time to allow it to naturally dissipate, however migrated filler typically will not dissolve on its own, or at least within any reasonable amount of time.
Getting a facial massage after fillers might seem like the perfect complement to refreshing your features, but you should avoid rubbing or pressing on the treatment area for about two weeks after the procedure. Facial massages can increase bruising and cause fillers to migrate outside of their precise placements.
In addition, the pressure from massaging or kissing can potentially cause the filler to migrate, leading to unevenness or the filler traveling past the upper lip. Your lips may be a bit tender and swollen too, so minimize pressure whenever possible.
The dissolving process appears similar to the filler injecting process—but with a much different experience, and significantly lower price point, ranging from $300 to $600. A dissolving enzyme called hyaluronidase (Hylenex or Vitrase) is required, and from there it's injected under the skin and into the area of filler.
Seek a Skilled Injector for Correction
An experienced injector may be able to adjust the filler by strategically adding small amounts in specific areas to balance the migrated product. While it may seem counterintuitive to add more filler, expert hands can often restore symmetry without full dissolution.