Injectables
Dermal Filler Dissolving
For filler that no longer looks like you.
Serene Rejuvenation · Surrey, BC
The Treatment
How it works
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme your body already makes to break down its own hyaluronic acid. Injected in concentrated medical form, it dissolves hyaluronic acid fillers the same way, so filler that has migrated, settled unevenly or simply become unwanted can be softened or cleared, and the area can return toward how it looked before filler.
You do not need to have had your filler placed at our clinic. Dr. Sarai starts with an assessment of what was injected, where it now sits and what you want the outcome to be, then plans the dissolving accordingly. Because hyaluronidase spreads within the tissue where it is placed, precise partial correction has limits; some areas are best cleared fully and refilled later, and that trade-off is talked through honestly before anything is injected.
The appointment feels much like a filler visit: fine needles, a few minutes of injecting, then some temporary swelling or bruising. The filler begins breaking down almost immediately, with the true result visible once the area settles over the following days. Firmer or long-standing filler sometimes needs a second session, and once everything has settled, usually after about two weeks, the area can be reassessed and refilled if you wish.
In Detail
What to know
Pre Treatment
You receive specific preparation instructions when you book, and they are reviewed with you before treatment begins. Comfort is planned alongside the treatment itself; the options, from numbing cream to cooled air, are on our comfort and pain relief page.
Post Treatment
Aftercare is set out for you at your appointment, and the clinic is available if anything about your recovery concerns you.
FAQ
What is hyaluronidase?
An enzyme that occurs naturally in the body, where it breaks down hyaluronic acid. The injectable medical form is far more concentrated, so when it is placed into an area of hyaluronic acid filler, the filler breaks down and is reabsorbed by the body over the following days.
Can you dissolve filler that was placed at another clinic?
Yes. Dr. Sarai assesses the area first, and it helps to bring any record of which product was used and when, though this is not essential. If the filler is hyaluronic acid based, it can usually be treated.
Which fillers can be dissolved?
Only hyaluronic acid fillers respond to hyaluronidase. That includes the Belotero® range used at our clinic and most common filler brands. Fillers made from other materials do not dissolve this way, which is one of the things the assessment establishes before treatment is offered.
How quickly does it work?
The filler starts breaking down almost immediately. Swelling from the injections can mask the change at first, so the true result is judged once the area settles over several days. Firmer or long-standing filler sometimes needs a second session.
Can you dissolve only part of the filler?
Within limits. Hyaluronidase spreads through the tissue where it is injected, so it cannot be confined to an exact portion of the filler. Where a subtle reduction is the goal, Dr. Sarai uses a conservative dose and reviews the result; where correction is the goal, it is often better to clear the area and refill once settled.
When can new filler be placed?
Once the area has fully settled, usually about two weeks after dissolving. Waiting lets Dr. Sarai assess your natural baseline and plan fresh placement properly rather than working over residual swelling.
What are the risks?
The common effects are those of any injection: temporary swelling, redness, tenderness and sometimes bruising. Allergic reactions to hyaluronidase are possible but uncommon, and treatment by a physician means a reaction is recognised and managed medically. Hyaluronidase is also the medication physicians reach for in rare filler complications, which is part of why dissolving belongs in medical hands.
How should I prepare?
Avoid aspirin-containing products and similar over-the-counter blood thinners for several days beforehand, as they increase bruising; if a blood thinner is prescribed for you, tell us rather than stopping it. Plan a quiet 24 hours after the appointment. Full instructions are provided when you book.
Need your filler dissolved?
Book a consultation with Dr. Sarai to assess.