Filler migration is the movement of a dermal filler from its injection site to another area of the body. While it is possible for fillers to migrate, this side effect is extremely rare and can be avoided by choosing a qualified injector.
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.
Excessive Handling
Massaging or manipulating the treatment area immediately after the injection can cause the filler to move slightly.
It's super-rare, with the incidence rate being around 1%, according to studies. But you might be hearing more about it since "the number of patients getting injected with filler is rising," says Omer Ibrahim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago.
Filler migration is possible but not highly likely assuming proper injection. It also occurs within the first few days if it does occur so it's easy to detect. Please contact a qualified provider or a board-certified physician with extensive experience in these procedures.
Even though the results of filler will be visible right away, migration can happen almost immediately, with a few days or weeks, or even up to years later in rare circumstances, depending on what the root cause of the issue is. “If overfilling is the culprit, it will be noticeable almost immediately,” says Dr. Horn.
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.
Follow post-treatment instructions carefully
Afterward, we provide you with instructions on how to care for the treatment area. The most important things to remember to prevent filler migration are: Don't rub your skin and avoid touching the area. If you apply ice to reduce minor swelling, do so gently.
Fillers around the mouth and eyes are most likely to migrate, more so than dermal fillers in the cheeks or the jawline. Dermal filler for smile lines and dermal filler for under eyes are most likely to migrate because they are in areas of your face that move the most as you change facial expressions and talk.
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.
One of the common concerns that Dr Tim encounters when discussing lip massaging with training delegates is that the action of massaging could move the filler into an undesired place. And this is indeed the case, he notes, explaining that it is possible to ruin a good procedure by massaging in the wrong way.
“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.
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.
Like the lips, the nasolabial folds have more nerve endings running through the area than other areas. The area also frequently moves, so this can cause more soreness after the injections.
Although extremely rare, dermal fillers are able to migrate within the skin if consistent and adequate pressure is applied to them.
Injections into the nose, lips, nasolabial folds, and forehead (including glabella) seem to be more often reported for filler migration than injections into the cheeks. While nasolabial folds and lips are major targets for filler placement, the nose and forehead are less commonly treated.
As long as excessive force is avoided in the first few days, regular kissing later on should not cause the fillers to shift or migrate. The hyaluronic acid gel is very stable.
When Does Lip Filler Migration Happen? Lip filler migration can happen almost immediately as well as within days, weeks, or even months, depending on what's causing the issue.
Opt for the right product. Different fillers have varying properties that affect how they integrate with tissue. We help you choose the best type for your specific needs and treatment area. Using a filler that's appropriate for the intended depth and purpose reduces the likelihood of migration.
In addition, Voluma is a solid filler which gives it the advantage of not migrating to the surrounding tissues. For patients who want more dramatic changes, Voluma allows for more product to be placed with less risk of displacement.
In some cases, the migrated filler may self-resolve over time. It's best to see a qualified provider experienced in treating migration complications. Don't attempt to massage or dissolve migrated filler on your own, as improper technique could worsen the situation.
About a week (7 days) after getting lip fillers, the swelling should go down, and your lips will be smaller than they were right after the procedure. This is when you'll start to see the final results of the treatment. Usually, the lip filler swelling stage lasts for about two weeks.
Consider thicker fillers for a more stable and longer-lasting result. More viscous formulations are less prone to migration. Work with your practitioner to strategically place filler for optimal results. Targeting specific areas prevents fillers from wandering.