Fillers are the latest injectables used to create a fuller appearance without going under the knife. It’s also a pretty accessible service that’s growing in popularity. A few common areas to receive filler are around the forehead, cheeks, and lips.
Filler can create a more youthful appearance by reducing hollows within the face. Also, filler is said to be a temporary or semi-permanent service because this injectable can slowly get absorbed or broken down by the body.
This service should be touched up every few months, but some patients that love filler may also go overboard. The improper filler injection can lead to multiple complications like achieving an unnatural finish or filler migration.
Does filler migrate? Fillers can migrate for multiple reasons and affect your face’s overall look. Filler migration can occur if the area like the lips moves around frequently or you get too much filler too often.
Fillers and filler migration are complicated topics that vary by person and injector, so always have an in-depth consultation with your medical provider. So, what else should you know about filler migration? Read on to find out!
What Are Fillers?
Fillers are often known as dermal fillers or Juvederm. There are countless brands and types of filler that can help create your desired effect.
Fillers are designed to add volume to the face and make a more plump or youthful appearance.
It’s a non-surgical procedure, and fillers can contain lidocaine to reduce pain. Also, it features various ingredients to promote smooth skin.
For an in-depth explanation on how fillers work, take a look at this video from Epiclinic on YouTube.
What Are Fillers Made Of?
One common ingredient in fillers and Juvederm is Hyaluronic Acid.
Heathline states, “Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the human body. It stimulates the production of the connective tissue that plumps the skin (collagen). As you get older, the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen decreases.”
Other ingredients you may find include poly-l-lactic acid or calcium hydroxylapatite. It’s crucial to remember that various types of fillers are used for different purposes.
Benefits Of Fillers
Most people choose filler because it’s a less invasive method of creating a youthful appearance. Fillers have little to no downtime, and you don’t need anesthetic for the service. Nevertheless, it will quickly provide plump, fresh, and youthful results.
Non-Surgical
Fillers have increased in popularity because it’s a non-surgical treatment. This makes it more accessible to a broader audience to achieve a more fresh complexion. Filler services don’t require going under or have long recovery times.
However, the results of filler are considered temporary or semi-permanent. This allows the patient to decide if they want to dissolve their filler or add more.
Focuses On Elasticity
We’ve mentioned how fillers will compensate for the loss of volume and elasticity within the face.
A loss of elasticity will promote aging or mature skin, so a patient can choose to get fillers to add back volume, reduce wrinkles, and create a smooth complexion.
Risks Of Fillers
Even fillers can have their faults. While they may be the less invasive injectable, it will be wise to be still aware of their risks. For example, you may feel multiple signs of discomfort right after your service or for the days following your service.
Also, filler can move around the face and create a lumpy, uneven, or undesired effect.
Swelling & Pain
Some fillers contain lidocaine to reduce pain. However, post-injection, you may experience symptoms like swelling, bruising, itching, and redness. These are some normal side effects that can occur after your filler injection.
Please discuss with your medical provider for any abnormal side effects.
Migration
You may notice that filler can migrate or move around the face, affecting your overall look and results. For example, migration often occurs in the lips where the filler can leave the lip line and hover in lumps above the mouth.
Filler migration can happen for numerous reasons and can be challenging to alleviate.
Is Filler Prone To Migrating?
It’s possible that your filler can easily migrate to other areas of the face. This usually occurs when some time has passed from your initial filler injection. Migration can happen when too much filler is injected or in an area with constant movement.
The results of your filler heavily depend on what type of filler was used, where it was used, and the experience of your injector.
How Often Does Filler Migrate?
Migration can be a common side effect of filler. It may lead to a lumpy or uneven appearance if it’s not addressed correctly. However, it can potentially be avoided, or the risk can be minimized by working with an experienced injector.
Migration can also be reduced by working with small amounts of filler at a time, and less is more. However, always consult with your provider.
Why Does Filler Migrate?
What are some reasons fillers migrate? It’s crucial to conduct adequate research on fillers to ensure you understand how to maintain your results to reduce the chances of migration.
Overfilling, incorrect placement or constant movement can promote migration.
Over-Filling
It may be tempting to plump up the face as much as possible, but this can lead to what many are calling “pillow face.” This can occur by injecting more filler than the skin can handle or frequently getting filler if it’s not required. Overfilling can quickly stretch out the skin, making it difficult to retain.
When the face or a specific skin area can’t hold onto the filler or is too stretched, it is more likely to move around.
Incorrect Placement
Another reason why it’s crucial to visit a trusted injector is that you want to inject filler into the right spot. Your provider must find the correct filler placement and decide how far the filler should be injected. The wrong placement can promote migration.
The correct depth, placement, type of filler, and needle are all crucial factors for a successful filler service.
Wrong Type Of Filler
There are various types of filler, and each one may have a specific use. Let’s take a look a Juvederm:
Healthline states, “Juvederm Voluma XC adds volume beneath your skin’s surface to increase the size of your cheeks. Juvederm XC and Vollure XC address the loss of elasticity and fill out wrinkles and lines around the mouth and nose.”
So, it’s crucial to use the proper filler for the area you’re willing to treat.
Overactivity
Finally, a reason that can cause filler migration is overactivity or constant movement. The most common area to see the migration is around the lips. Talking, chewing, singing, screaming, and more can cause the filler to migrate over time.
One way to avoid migration is applying filler in moderation, especially in delicate areas like the lips.
What Happens When Filler Migrates?
You may notice a few things can occur when filler migrates. For example, the lips can often look puffy, and there isn’t a defined lip line. Also, you may experience some areas of the face looking thicker than others or a lumpy texture starting to form.
What Does Lip Filler Migration Look Like?
Filler migration within the lips can look like an overly enlarged pout. Also, it doesn’t have a defined lip line, which may give off the illusion of a mustache.
If the face appears unusual, lumpy, or thickened, you can see if the filler has migrated elsewhere.
Why Does Filler Migrate Above Lips?
Filler can easily migrate above the lips if the placement, depth, or type of filler is incorrect. Also, applying too much filler can stretch out the skin, lacking support and causing the filler to go elsewhere.
Finally, the lips are an area that moves daily, and constant movement may disrupt filler placement.
How To Fix Migrated Lip Filler
There are a limited number of ways you can fix migrated lip filler. The best way to prevent migration is to inject a little product at a time, visit an experienced injector, and follow the required steps to maintain filler services.
You can have your medical provider dissolve your lip filler or wait for your body to break down your filler.
Dissolve Filler
Dissolving filler refers to your physician removing your filler from the lips. The lips may also need time to recover after getting dissolved, and you may need to avoid overfilling them if you want to add in filler back.
This may be a great option if you don’t want to wait for your filler to go away with time.
Wait
The body will eventually break down and degrade filler, but it can be time-consuming. Also, you still may not achieve the same result you desired. You may still have filler left over, even if most of it has disappeared.
Always Consult Your Injector
An in-depth consultation with a medical provider or injector will ensure you get your desired results safely. Also, you will get a service tailored to your needs because filler isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Takeaway
Filler can migrate due to overfilling, injecting the wrong filler, constant movement, or adding it to the wrong places. It’s also common to see filler migrate around the lips, but you can fix filler migration by waiting or getting it dissolved.
Related Articles
When Can You Shower After Botox?
What Not To Do After Lip Injections
Do You Tip For Botox? – With Examples