If you are wondering when to dissolve filler, you are not alone. At Rejuva London on Harley Street, filler dissolving with hyalase is one of the most requested corrective treatments we perform, often for patients whose original filler was placed elsewhere. Some come to us with migrated lip filler, others with puffiness under the eyes that never settled, and many simply feel their face no longer looks like their own. The good news is that hyaluronic acid filler is reversible. This guide explains exactly when dissolving is the right call, how hyalase works, what the appointment involves, and the risks you should understand before booking.
What Is Hyalase and How Does Filler Dissolving Work?
Hyalase is the brand name most UK clinics use for hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. Because the majority of modern dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, the enzyme can dissolve them safely and predictably. Once injected into the treated area, hyaluronidase begins working within minutes, fragmenting the filler gel so your body can absorb and clear it naturally. Studies show hyaluronidase can break down up to 90 percent of hyaluronic acid filler within 24 hours.
One important caveat: hyalase only works on hyaluronic acid fillers. It cannot dissolve collagen-stimulating products such as Sculptra, Radiesse or ELLANSÉ, and it cannot reverse permanent fillers like PMMA. This is one of the reasons a doctor-led consultation matters. If you do not know which product was originally injected, an experienced doctor can assess the area, often with ultrasound guidance where appropriate, before deciding whether dissolving is even possible.
When Should You Dissolve Filler? 6 Signs It Is Time
Not every imperfect filler result needs dissolving. Swelling in the first two weeks after filler is normal, and minor asymmetry often settles on its own. However, there are situations where dissolving is clearly the right decision:
- Filler migration. The product has moved beyond the injected area, most commonly seen as a shelf above the lip border or a duck-like projection of the lips.
- Overfilled or distorted features. Years of repeated top-ups can build up more filler than the face can hold gracefully, creating heaviness, puffiness or the “pillow face” look.
- Lumps and nodules. Persistent firm bumps that have not softened after several weeks may need targeted dissolving.
- Tyndall effect. A bluish tint under the skin, usually under the eyes, caused by filler placed too superficially.
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic result. If the shape simply does not suit your face, you do not have to wait one to two years for it to wear off.
- Vascular complications. In rare emergencies where filler blocks a blood vessel, immediate dissolving is medically essential. This is also why having filler placed by a doctor who stocks hyalase on site is a genuine safety consideration.
If you recognise yourself in any of the first five categories, a consultation is the sensible next step. The decision to dissolve is a clinical one, and a thorough facial assessment will determine whether full dissolving, partial dissolving or simply waiting is best for you.
What Happens During Your Filler Dissolving Appointment at Rejuva London?
Your appointment at our Harley Street clinic begins with a consultation with a doctor. We review your treatment history, examine the area, and agree a plan, including whether the goal is complete removal or a subtle correction that preserves some of the existing volume.
Because hyalase is derived from an enzyme protein, allergic reactions are possible, so a patch test is performed first in non-urgent cases. A small amount of hyaluronidase is injected into the forearm and observed. Once the test is clear, the treatment itself is quick: the area is cleaned, hyalase is injected precisely into the filler, and the whole process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Many patients notice softening within minutes, with the full effect developing over 24 to 48 hours as the body clears the dissolved gel.
Depending on how much filler is present and how cross-linked the product is, some patients need a second session two weeks later. Thick, heavily cross-linked fillers and older, partially integrated filler can be more stubborn than recently placed product.
How Much Does Filler Dissolving Cost in London?
Filler dissolving in London typically costs between £150 and £550 per session depending on the clinic, the practitioner’s seniority, the area treated and the amount of filler involved. Harley Street clinics generally sit in the middle to upper part of that range, reflecting doctor-led care and the clinical setting.
At your consultation at Rejuva London you will receive a written quote covering the patch test, the dissolving session and any anticipated follow-up, so there are no surprises. Be cautious of prices that look unusually low. Dissolving requires a deeper understanding of facial anatomy than filler placement itself, because the practitioner is correcting work that has already gone wrong.
Dissolving Filler Before and After: What Results Can You Expect?
Immediately after treatment the area may look swollen, which can feel alarming because swelling temporarily mimics the fullness you came to remove. This is normal and settles quickly. By day two to three the swelling reduces and the contour starts to even out. Most patients see the true result within one to two weeks, once the body has fully cleared the dissolved filler and the tissue has settled.
A common worry is whether dissolving will leave skin loose or saggy. For most patients the answer is no. The skin in treated areas such as the lips and cheeks is elastic and returns to its natural baseline. Patients who have had very large volumes over many years may notice some laxity, which your doctor will discuss honestly at consultation, along with options such as Profhilo or Thermage FLX if skin quality needs support afterwards.
Does Hyalase Dissolve Your Natural Hyaluronic Acid? Understanding the Risks
Hyaluronidase does not distinguish perfectly between filler and your body’s own hyaluronic acid, so some natural HA in the immediate area is temporarily broken down too. The reassuring part is that your body replenishes its own hyaluronic acid within days, so this effect is short-lived.
The main risks to understand are allergic reaction (rare, and the reason we patch test), bruising and swelling at the injection sites, temporary unevenness while the area settles, and the possibility of needing more than one session. There is also the aesthetic adjustment of seeing your natural face again after months or years of filler, which some patients find takes a little getting used to.
These risks are manageable in experienced hands. What elevates risk significantly is dissolving performed by practitioners without medical training, without patch testing, or without the anatomical knowledge to dose the enzyme correctly.
Can You Get Filler Again After Dissolving?
Yes. Most doctors recommend waiting at least two weeks after dissolving before placing new filler, allowing the hyaluronidase to fully deactivate and the tissue to settle. Many of our patients at Rejuva London follow exactly this path: dissolve the migrated or overfilled product, let the area recover, then rebuild conservatively with a more precise placement and a more suitable product. The second time around, less is almost always more.
Why Choose Rejuva London for Filler Dissolving?
Correcting filler is more demanding than placing it. At Rejuva London, every dissolving treatment is performed personally by a doctor with specialist training in facial anatomy, never delegated. We patch test before non-urgent dissolving, we keep hyalase stocked on site at all times as an emergency safety measure, and we give you a written treatment plan and quote before anything touches your skin. Our clinic at 15 Harley Street operates to clinical standards, and we offer a cooling-off period rather than pressuring you to treat on the day. If your filler was placed elsewhere, you will get an honest assessment, even when our advice is simply to wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for hyalase to dissolve filler?
Hyaluronidase starts working within minutes, and most of the breakdown happens in the first 24 to 48 hours. The final result is usually visible within two weeks once swelling has fully settled. Stubborn or heavily cross-linked fillers may need a second session.
Is dissolving filler painful?
Most patients describe a brief stinging sensation as the enzyme is injected, generally comparable to the original filler treatment. The appointment is short, and discomfort settles quickly. A topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand if you are sensitive.
Can all fillers be dissolved?
No. Hyalase only dissolves hyaluronic acid fillers, which are the most common type used in the UK. Collagen stimulators such as Sculptra and Radiesse, and permanent fillers such as PMMA, cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase. If you are unsure what was injected, a doctor can assess the area before recommending a plan.
Will my skin be saggy after dissolving filler?
In most cases, no. Skin is elastic and returns to its natural baseline within a couple of weeks, particularly in younger patients and where filler volumes were modest. After very large or long-standing volumes, mild laxity is possible, and your doctor can recommend skin-quality treatments if needed.
How soon can I have new filler after dissolving?
Most doctors advise waiting at least two weeks. This allows the hyaluronidase to deactivate fully and the tissue to settle, so the new filler is placed into a clean, predictable canvas.
Do I need a patch test before hyalase?
For non-urgent dissolving, yes. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme protein and allergic reactions, while rare, can occur. A patch test on the forearm is a simple safety step that reputable clinics will not skip. In vascular emergencies, the patch test is bypassed because immediate treatment takes priority.
Book Your Consultation
If you are unhappy with existing filler, do not live with a result that does not feel like you. Book a consultation at Rejuva London on Harley Street, and a doctor will assess whether dissolving with hyalase is the right step, explain the realistic outcome for your face, and give you a clear written plan.
Written by the Rejuva London Medical Team.
