Lip Filler Migration
Lip augmentation with dermal fillers is a very popular treatment option for achieving a fuller pout, more symmetrical lips, and erasing fine lines around the mouth. Celebrities and influencers on social media platforms like TikTok have been sharing more about their journeys to achieve plump, full lips with dermal filler treatments, increasing the visibility of this cosmetic procedure. In addition to the many benefits of the treatment, influencers have also been talking about the side effects of lip filler treatment with hashtags such as #lipfillermigration, which has over 2 million views on TikTok. These conversations have spurred many questions about lip fillers and side effects like lip filler migration. If you are curious about whether dermal filler treatment is right for you, the best first step is to schedule an appointment with experienced, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.
Lip filler migration occurs when the filler moves away from the injection site, which, in the case of lip fillers, means that the filler moves outside of the border of the lips. While lip filler migration is not typically dangerous, it can create an asymmetrical appearance to the lips as well as bulges and bumps outside the lip lines. While dermal fillers will dissolve on their own over time, it typically takes 6 to 18 months for the filler to naturally dissolve completely. Luckily, there are treatment options for patients experiencing hyaluronic acid-based filler migration, such as injection of the enzyme hyaluronidase that will dissolve the filler quickly. However, the best way to prevent lip filler migration from happening at all is to seek dermal filler treatment from an expert injector, such as New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.
With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Michele Green, a renowned board-certified dermatologist, has been providing expert care to her patients in her Upper East Side New York City dermatology office. Her approach to dermal fillers, which emphasizes natural-looking results, has made her a trusted name in the industry. At Dr. Green’s office, she has many types of dermal fillers available to fit each patient’s unique needs, including Juvederm fillers, Sculptra, Restylane, and Radiesse. Dr. Green’s expertise extends to a wide range of cosmetic treatments, including dermal fillers, Botox, laser skin resurfacing, Kybella for reducing pockets of fat, chemical peels for facial rejuvenation, and many more. Her commitment to patient satisfaction has earned her recognition as one of the best dermatologists in New York City, as voted by publications such as Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are a type of injectable treatment that can be used for multiple cosmetic purposes, including reversing volume loss, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds, contouring the face, and filling in atrophic acne scars. Dermal filler treatment can be used on the hands and across many areas of the face, including under the eyes, in the cheeks, around the nose and mouth, in the lips, and along the chin and jawline. With many varieties of formulations and active ingredients, dermal fillers can be safely used to address a wide range of cosmetic concerns, providing patients with smooth, contoured, youthful-looking skin. A non-invasive treatment, dermal fillers require no downtime following the injections, meaning patients can immediately resume their regularly scheduled activities.
When it comes to lip filler treatment, dermal fillers are injected into and around the lips to augment them or to erase fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. The type of filler used in the lip area depends on the aesthetic goals of the patient. Patients looking for more dramatic lip augmentation can turn to Juvederm Ultra Plus, which creates a full, lush pout. Restylane Kysse is also highly effective at providing volume, definition, and fullness while also improving lip color and texture. For the lines around the mouth, known as the perioral lines, Dr. Green will often turn to Restylane Silk or Belotero Balance. Patients looking to improve lip shape with soft, natural-looking results can turn to Juvederm Volbella. When you have your initial consultation with Dr. Green, you will discuss your aesthetic goals, and Dr. Green will recommend the type of filler that will be most effective for you.
What is lip filler migration?
One potential side effect of lip filler treatment is filler migration, which occurs when the filler spreads away from the injection site and settles outside the borders of the lips, also known as the vermillion border. When filler moves, patients are unable to achieve their desired results. Instead, the lip filler injections can create asymmetry to the lips, unwanted bumps around the lips, and a “stuffed” appearance to the upper lip. Filler migration is different from swelling, which can occur after injectable filler treatments, as swelling will go down after several days while filler migration will persist. It may take some time before lip filler migration presents itself, as it can take days or even months to appear. While lip filler migration can be a distressing side effect of dermal filler cosmetic procedures, as long as hyaluronic acid-based fillers are used for lip augmentation, filler migration is simple to treat.
What does migrated lip filler look like?
Patients often ask, “What does lip filler migration look like?” Lip filler migration can manifest in several different ways, but the overarching appearance is one of asymmetry and bulging lips beyond the border of the lips. Often, when lip filler migrates beyond the vermillion border of the upper lip, the result is a bulge in the skin above the lip, creating what is known as a “filler mustache,” which is when a large shelf appears above the upper lip. The puffiness or ledge that is created above the upper lip due to lip migration is sometimes also referred to as “duck lips.” A common cause of lip filler migration is overfilling, meaning the aesthetic practitioner has used too much lip filler, which results in an over-stuffed look to the lips. Filler migration can also manifest as bumps or lumps around the lips.
Dermal fillers vs. Botox
Botox and dermal fillers are both non-invasive injectable treatments, but they differ in how they work and why they are used. Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available. It is used primarily to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles on the face, which are wrinkles that form due to repeated muscle movement, such as glabellar lines between the eyebrows that appear when you furrow your brow, forehead lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows, and crow’s feet that form at the corners of the eyes when you squint or smile. Botox treatment contains the active ingredient onabotulinum toxin type A, which is a neurotoxin that, when injected into a muscle, binds to neurotransmitters to essentially “freeze” the muscle, reducing its ability to contract. When the muscle relaxes, the dynamic wrinkles become smoothed out, creating a more youthful look. Botox and dermal fillers can be used together as they address different cosmetic concerns. While dermal fillers are used primarily to address volume loss in the midface, mild to severe nasolabial folds, jawline augmentation, and lip enhancement, Botox is used to address the dynamic wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes.
Botox can also be used to adjust lip shape and facial anatomy with the Botox lip flip. Botox lip flips use Botox – a neuromodulator – to relax the muscles around the borders of the lips. By releasing tension in the mouth area, the Botox lip flip treatment can reduce the appearance of vertical lip lines and curve the top lip upward and the lower lip downward as a means to create fuller lips. It’s an excellent option for patients who have a gummy smile or for those seeking lip augmentation without having dermal fillers injected.
Do lip fillers migrate?
While lip filler migration is uncommon — occurring in less than 1% of all lip filler treatments according to some studies — it can happen. The risk of filler migration can increase when you seek treatment from an inexperienced injector with poor injection technique or a MedSpa. While aesthetic treatments may be cheaper at these types of institutions, the risk of developing serious side effects like filler migration or injection into a blood vessel is much higher. For safer, more reliable treatment, it is essential to seek dermal filler injections from an expert board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green.
Why do lip fillers migrate?
Patients often ask, “What causes lip filler migration?” Several factors can increase the risk of filler migration, including filler placement, the amount of filler used, the type of filler, injection technique, the injector’s experience, and whether or not patients accurately follow the aftercare instructions.
Filler Placement is very important for reducing the risk of filler migration and avoiding serious side effects like skin necrosis from injection into a blood vessel. Additionally, the fewer injection punctures, the better, especially in the lips.
Amount of Filler: One of the most common causes of lip filler migration is using too much filler. The lip area is relatively small, so when overfilling occurs, the filler has to move outside the injection site. Dr. Green firmly believes in a less-is-more injection method, which reduces the risk of filler migration while providing patients with excellent, natural-looking results.
Type of Filler: When it comes to lip augmentation, Dr. Green turns most often to hyaluronic acid-based fillers (HA fillers), such as the Juvederm and Restylane families of fillers, as they are long-lasting but can be easily dissolved if the desired results are not achieved. Juvederm and Restylane are both FDA-approved for use in the lips, meaning they have been extensively studied and shown to be safe and effective for lip augmentation.
Injector Experience: The most important step in preparing for lip filler treatment is to research your injectors and ensure that they are experienced. Perhaps the greatest risk factor for developing serious side effects post-treatment is having your dermal filler procedure done by an inexperienced injector. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green is an expert injector with many years of experience with dermal filler injections and a wide range of skincare treatments.
How to fix migrated lip filler
The easiest way to fix hyaluronic acid-based fillers is to inject an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which dissolves them quickly. While HA fillers will dissolve over time, it can take between 6 and 18 months for them to disappear fully, which is a long time to have to live with asymmetrical, bulging lips. Once hyaluronidase has been injected into the affected area, the hyaluronic acid filler will dissolve within two weeks. After that, dermal fillers can be injected again for lip augmentation treatment.
Do fillers dissolve or migrate?
Dermal fillers are not permanent, meaning that the body will break them down over time, and the effects of treatment will fade. Most dermal fillers have visible results for 6 to 18 months, and to maintain the look of dermal filler treatment, Dr. Green recommends that patients receive dermal filler injections every six months to a year. One potential side effect of dermal filler treatment is filler migration, which is when the filler spreads outside the injection site, causing asymmetry and bulging. If filler migration occurs after hyaluronic acid-based filler treatment, the filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Surgical lip augmentation performed by a plastic surgeon provides patients with a permanent treatment option. However, if patients are unhappy with the results of surgical treatment, it is very difficult to reverse them.
How to fix lip filler migration without dissolving
The best treatment option for hyaluronic acid lip filler migration is to dissolve the filler using hyaluronidase, which essentially removes the filler, allowing the injector to start again. In some cases, lip filler migration can be fixed by massaging the treatment area. However, lip filler migration can also be caused by massaging the treatment area too much, so patients should only massage the area as much as their dermatologist recommends. When experiencing lip filler migration, the best first step is to consult with an expert dermatologist, such as Dr. Green.
How to prevent lip filler migration
Patients often wonder, “How to avoid lip filler migration?” The best way to avoid lip filler migration is to schedule a lip augmentation appointment with an experienced board-certified dermatologist, such as New York City-based Dr. Michele Green. When you seek treatment from an experienced injector, the risk of poor filler placement and overfilling the treatment area decreases dramatically. When it comes to dermal fillers, and especially lip augmentation, Dr. Green always practices a less-is-more approach. Using a smaller amount of filler can still produce excellent results without the increased risk of filler migration.
Do all lip fillers migrate?
Patients sometimes ask, “Do lip fillers always migrate?” While social media platforms, such as TikTok, have increased the visibility of the side effects of lip augmentation, lip filler migration is still very uncommon. Studies have shown that less than 1% of patients who receive dermal filler lip augmentations experience filler migration. Visiting an experienced injector, such as Dr. Green, and following aftercare instructions will significantly decrease your risk of experiencing lip filler migration.
Does Sculptra migrate?
Sculptra is a type of dermal filler with the active ingredient poly-L-lactic acid, which triggers collagen production for long-lasting results. Typically, Sculptra is used to reverse severe volume loss in the cheeks, fill in wrinkles, and treat acne scars. When injected into the midface, Sculptra is not known to migrate away from the injection site. However, it is important to have Sculptra treatment with an experienced injector who utilizes the proper injection technique, including preparing and diluting the solution correctly, to avoid unwanted side effects and guarantee the best cosmetic results. Dr. Green is an expert injector with over 25 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology. When you have Sculptra treatment with Dr. Green, the result is a firmer, smoother, healthier complexion and a natural-looking, long-lasting, more youthful appearance.
Does Juvederm migrate?
Juvederm is a family of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers created by Allergan, a company known for making Botox Cosmetics. Each member of the Juvederm portfolio of dermal fillers contains the active ingredient hyaluronic acid, which attracts and binds water molecules for hydrated, plump, lifted-looking skin. First FDA-approved in 2006 to treat moderate to severe wrinkles and creases around the nose and mouth, including the nasolabial folds (smile lines), Juvederm treatment has since expanded to include a wide range of fillers, each with a different gel thickness and consistency to address different areas of the face. Juvederm dermal fillers can migrate, but it is easy to reverse the filler migration by injecting hyaluronidase to dissolve the filler.
Why does filler migrate above the lip?
Filler migration is most common in small, contained areas of the face, such as the lips and undereye area. In particular, lip filler migration is most common above the upper lip, as the skin at the border of the lip is thinner. Additionally, the upper lip moves more during speech and when you make expressions, which can also cause the filler to migrate. In severe cases of lip filler migration above the upper lip, the bulge of skin above the lip line can be called a “filler mustache” or “duck lips.”
Do nose fillers migrate?
One common area for dermal filler treatment is the lines around the nose and mouth, known as the nasolabial lines. As we age, volume loss and lower skin elasticity can accentuate these wrinkles. Dermal fillers can help to fill in these deep wrinkles for a more youthful appearance. Nose filler migration is possible but less common than lip filler migration, as the skin around the lips is more delicate than the skin around the nose.
Do cheek fillers migrate?
Dermal fillers are commonly injected into the cheeks and midface to address volume loss. As we age, high skin laxity mixed with drooping fat pads can create hollows in the midface, making the cheeks look gaunt. Dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Sculptra are highly effective at filling in lost volume in the cheeks for a more defined look. Cheek filler migration is uncommon.
Do jaw/jawline fillers migrate?
As we age, the production of the structural proteins collagen and elastin begins to decrease, causing an increase in skin laxity and greater visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. Along the jawline, loose skin and drooping fat pads can contribute to the appearance of jowls, resulting in a severe loss of jawline definition and affecting the contouring of the lower face. Genetics and a reduction in structural support due to age can lead to chin recession, resulting in a “weak chin” and a lack of jawline definition. Dermal fillers can help with jawline augmentation, providing patients with a contoured look for a more defined, symmetrical overall face shape. Jawline filler migration is uncommon.
Do undereye fillers migrate?
Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, are a popular method to reduce the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags, as well as for all-over eye rejuvenation. Dermal fillers are designed to stimulate collagen production in the skin, which in turn can correct volume loss around the eyes, thereby reducing the appearance of bags, dark circles, and fine lines within the treatment area. Dermal filler migration is most common around the lips and under the eyes, as the skin in those places is thinner, and there is less space for the filler. Dr. Green is an artful dermal filler injector who uses the “less is more” approach in order to create a revitalized look for your eyes and reduce the risk of filler migration.
How to get started with lip fillers today
The lips are a defining facial feature that significantly contributes to one’s overall aesthetic appearance. Lip augmentations can help patients achieve full, plump, symmetrical lips and reduce the appearance of fine lines around the mouth. When seeking lip augmentation treatment, however, it is essential to visit an expert injector, as the risk of developing side effects like lip filler migration increases significantly when receiving treatment from an inexperienced injector. While lip filler migration can be fixed by dissolving the filler and starting again, the best way to ensure that you have stunning results the first time around is to schedule your dermal filler appointment with expert, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.
Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing her patients with the best non-invasive treatment options. Dr. Green takes a holistic approach and embraces a less-is-more philosophy, creating customized skincare routines and treatment plans that cater to the unique concerns and aesthetic goals of her patients. She is consistently identified as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors for her dedication to her patients and expertise. Please call us at 212-535-3088 or email our New York City-based office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green and find out about what type of filler for lip augmentation is right for you.