How do I Speed Up the Reversal of Face Fillers?

Cosmetic dermal fillers are injected into the skin to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, plump lips and improve the appearance of blemishes and other signs of aging. With minimal risk and downtime involved, fillers--such as Juvederm, Restylane and Botox--are an increasingly popular non-invasive way of achieving a more youthful appearance. However, not all patients are satisfied with the results. A small number of patients experience an allergic reaction to the filler or may be injected with too much product, resulting in over-enhancement of the treated area. If this happens, there are ways to help reverse the effects.

Let the treated area settle for a few days. Mild swelling is a common side-effect of dermal filler injections that can give treated areas an “over-filled” appearance. Once this swelling has subsided--normally over two to three days--the results may be less dramatic than they appeared immediately after the procedure.

Gently massage the treated area with moisturizer daily. This may help to disperse the injected product and speed up its absorption into the body. Don't expect immediate results; visible improvement will take time. The effectiveness of this technique will depend on the type of filler used.

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Consult a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. The effects of hyaluronic acid-based fillers like Juvederm and Restylane can be reversed by injecting an enzyme called Hyaluronidase, which ‘melts’ the product over a period of seven to 10 days.

Be patient. How long the effects last depends on the type of product used; however, the effects of many non-permanent fillers, including collagen (for example, Zyderm) and hyaluronic acid, will start to wear off around four to six months after treatment.