Did my filler migrate or is it swollen?

Author: Rosalee Schmitt  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 28, 2023

If your lip fillers have migrated, it will almost always be noticeable visually. This can be presented in many ways; from a puffy upper lip, a lack of a defined border between the lip edge and above and/or below the lip border.

How do you know if filler has migrated?

Migrated lip filler is visibly noticeable and usually presents as lumps, but can also appear as a puffy upper lip, lack of a defined border between lip edge and above and/or below the lip border – think duck lips.

What does migration of filler look like?

"In cases of undereye filler, migration is seen as bumps in the lower eyelid and/or upper cheeks areas underneath the eyes."

Can filler migrate immediately?

In rare cases, facial fillers like Juvederm can migrate to another site of your face within a few days of your injections. This happens when the filler moves before it has fully bonded with your facial tissue.

Why is my filler suddenly swollen?

Why do dermal fillers cause swelling? Dermal Fillers commonly cause swelling and sometimes even bruising. The injection process disturbs the skin and soft tissue, causing minor trauma to the area, and swelling is a natural bodily response whilst the area heals.

Lip Filler Migration: Causes & Prevention

Can you massage migrated filler?

Although extremely rare, dermal fillers are able to migrate within the skin if consistent and adequate pressure is applied to them. For this reason, we advise patients not to get a facial, massage (on the treated skin), or microdermabrasion for the first two weeks following their filler injections.

Can filler swell weeks later?

They typically occur 48–72 hours after injection but may be seen as late as several weeks postinjection and may persist for many months. Late-onset reactions occur at least 3 months after uneventful injection of a dermal filler.

How do I stop fillers from migrating?

Dr. Frank says the best way to deal with migration is to dissolve the filler with hyaluronidase (an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid gels). In just a few hours, hyaluronidase softens the filler and returns the lips to a more natural shape, projection, and size.

Does migrated filler take longer to dissolve?

Fillers usually get dissolved over time, regardless if it has migrated. HA fillers like juvederm/restylane/perlane they last about a year before they are absorbed by the body. If you are unhappy with the look than I would encourage you to return to your doctor or another expert injector for an evaluation.

Can lip filler swelling look like migration?

If your lip fillers have migrated, it will almost always be noticeable visually. This can be presented in many ways; from a puffy upper lip, a lack of a defined border between the lip edge and above and/or below the lip border.

Why did my filler migrate?

But in most cases of facial filler migration it is probably due to the fact the patient was injected by an inexperienced or untrained provider, who didn't know what they were doing. Facial filler migration can occur when the incorrect filler is used in the incorrect spot.

Why is my filler swelling months later?

Delayed-onset nodules occur in 0.5% of HA filler treatments, typically four weeks to over one-year post-treatment. These nodules are believed to occur due to either delayed onset inflammation or bacterial biofilms. Often, these nodules have preceding infectious or immune triggers.

Can filler migrate after two weeks?

While it is possible for fillers to migrate, this side effect is extremely rare and can be avoided by choosing a qualified injector. Though filler migration is very uncommon, its likelihood increases when fillers are performed by an inexperienced or underqualified injector.

Does more filler mean more swelling?

prior to facial injections and you will get less bruising and therefore less swelling as well. The more product you inject, then also the more swelling you get as well.

Which filler migrates the least?

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.

How long is filler movable?

Other than that you can return to your normal activities. Avoid pressure to the injected areas ofr about two weeks. Fillers remain moldable for 1-2 weeks, and pressure can deform your filler.

Can it take a month for fillers to settle?

Fortunately, dermal fillers work very quickly, and you won't have to wait twelve months to see the full benefits of your injections. That said, these injectable treatments take some time to integrate into your tissues, and it's normal for your dermal filler to take up to two weeks to fully settle into your face.

Is Uneven swelling normal after filler?

Swelling – After undergoing fillers, it is normal for the lips area to look uneven due to swelling. This is normal and does not necessarily mean that something has gone wrong. It is also important to note that the lips have a lot of nerve endings and are more sensitive than other areas of the body.

Can filler move after 4 weeks?

It is not likely that the filler products would move if you wait at least a few days before pressing really hard on the areas and having extractions. The hyaluronic acid fillers settle nicely into the skin, and once any swelling goes down, it would be pretty unusual for anyone to be able to displace them.

Can you feel migrated lip filler?

Migrated lip filler can present as lumps, noticeable volume above the top lip, lack of a defined lip edge all over, and sometimes can cause discomfort.

How do I know if my lip filler is botched?

Some of the most common signs of bad lip injections include the following:
  1. Bruising. Bruising is one of the most common complications that occur when lip fillers go wrong. ...
  2. Lumpiness. Uneven, lumpy lips are a common sign of bad lip fillers. ...
  3. Necrosis of the lip tissue.

What does an occlusion after lip filler look like?

Bruising may occur if an artery or blood vessel has become blocked due to filler injection. Bruising may range from a blue discoloration to a dusky purple-grey appearance. Swelling is likely to occur in and around the injection site if vascular obstruction is present, and may range from mild to severe.

What does too much lip filler look like?

Your lips look like they have been stung by a bee.

You may have too much dermal filler injection if your lower lip can no longer touch your upper lip. As a result, your lips may appear too big and not proportional.

What does lip filler occlusion look like?

A) Vascular occlusion usually causes some pain or discomfort, but may only manifest itself by the appearance of blanching, bluish discoloration, or mottling of the skin. Anything that seems unusual even hours after dermal filler injection should be reported immediately to your treatment provider.

Can filler look uneven at first?

The swelling that can often occur after Lip Fillers can cause the lips to look a little uneven for a short time. This doesn't necessarily mean that anything has gone wrong and it may just take a little time for the product to fully settle and for residual swelling to subside.

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