The Best Practice for Filler Dissolving

If you’re an aesthetician in the UK, there’s no doubt that lip fillers are likely to be one of your most highly requested treatments. With an ever-growing clientele seeking the perfect pout, many people now view regular lip augmentation top-ups as necessary as a haircut or a manicure.

However, one of the biggest rising beauty trends of 2021 is precisely the opposite.

For various reasons, an increasing number of individuals are reaching out to clinics to have their filler treatment dissolved. Because of this surge in demand, it’s essential that your aesthetics practice is prepared for an influx of requests for the procedure and that you’re comfortable carrying it out safely and effectively.

In this blog post, we’ll assess why filler patients are choosing to reverse the results of their procedure, as well as the best practice for administering the treatment and the ideal outcome for dissolving filler before and after.

The filler dissolving trend

One of the highest-profile filler fans, Kylie Jenner, famously announced in 2018 that she was having her fillers dissolved in favour of a more natural look after years of showcasing a steadily growing pout. Since then, more celebrities and influencers have followed this trend, and it’s fast become one of the most requested procedures at many clinics.

Of course, celebrity beauty trends will always have a key influence on consumer habits, but there are various reasons that individuals choose to reverse their filler treatment. These are some of the most popular reasons:

• Resolving work of underqualified practitioners – Poorly trained aestheticians who do not have the expertise to successfully carry out filler treatments are likely to overfill the injections or place them incorrectly. Overfilling makes the lips look unnaturally large and can cause extreme bruising and pain. Poor placement can create numerous issues, such as blocking veins or arteries, leading to excessive swelling or infection. In severe cases, permanent tissue can occur if the filler isn’t removed in time. Another common error made by unskilled practitioners is injecting the filler too close to the surface of the lips, which can result in bumps that make them look uneven and oddly shaped. 
• Patients desire a more natural look – Some individuals may want to return to a more natural look and feel that fillers are no longer a good fit for them. Whether this is because of a botched job by a practitioner who has overfilled, or the client simply chooses to reduce the volume in their lips, it’s vital to these patients that the treatment is carried out by a health professional who knows what they’re doing and that the patient can trust.
• Allergic reaction – Although rare, a client may have an allergic reaction to their filler treatment in the days following a procedure that you’ve provided. In this case, the filler will need to be dissolved as soon as possible to avoid the side effects or pain worsening for the client.

How to dissolve filler

It’s relatively simple to create effective filler dissolving before and after results for patients when the correct steps are followed. The soluble protein enzyme Hyaluronidase is used to counteract and break down the hyaluronic acid present in dermal filler injectables. Although the solution gets to work immediately, it’s worth noting that it can take several days before visible results are observed. The following process should be carried out when administering this procedure for a patient:

1. Conduct a thorough consultation with your client to determine their aesthetic history and any complications or side effects they’ve experienced, as well as the area to be treated. You should also present the potential risks involved in the filler dissolving process and obtain a patch test of Hyaluronidase to eliminate the risk of an allergic reaction. Allow 30 minutes to pass before determining that there is no reaction and that it is safe to carry out the procedure.
2. You can apply a numbing cream to the area 20 minutes prior to treatment to make the process more comfortable for the client.
3. Hyaluronidase enzyme to be injected into the affected area.
4. Provide a comprehensive aftercare plan for your patient, including information on how they can safely have a filler treatment administered in the future if they wish. This will be especially reassuring for those who have had a negative experience with poorly qualified ‘cowboy’ practitioners and are nervous about returning to aesthetics.

Although most individuals will be satisfied with the results of their treatment, it’s a good idea to take dissolving filler before and after pictures (with permission) so that you’re able to provide them with a side-by-side snapshot of the results you’ve provided.

Dissolving lip filler risks

It’s worth being aware of the risks associated with Hyaluronidase injections, both so that you can decrease the risk of complications within your clinic and you’re able to communicate these risks with your patients before their appointment. This way, filler dissolving before and after results will be as effective as possible for all of your clients. As with all injectable treatments, there is a risk of swelling, bruising and redness. There is also a slight chance of an allergic reaction, which is why it’s so important to conduct a patch test before injecting. 

Just as overfilling can occur with dermal fillers, it’s possible to over-dissolve, and you should take great care to ensure that the correct amount of Hyaluronidase is injected to prevent this. It’s best to dissolve each section of the area in multiple stages and inject slowly, to minimise the risk of complications.

Are you a health professional interested in filler dissolving in London or elsewhere in the UK? Or perhaps you’re new to the specialty and seeking beginner aesthetics training to further your career? At Acquisition Aesthetics, we provide gold-standard injectables training and are operational throughout the UK, with courses regularly running up and down the country. For those looking to master lip augmentation techniques, visit our Lip Augmentation Course page. If you’d like to find out more, call us on 0203 514 8757 or email  contact@acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk to speak to a member of our team.