When this occurs, it is important to have a consultation to discuss options.

What is hyaluronidase? It is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid, which is a base building block in healthy, plump skin, and which can be injected in the form of non permanent dermal fillers to almost any part of the skin to enhance its properties.

Unfortunately, each patient anatomy is unique, and faces being as mobile as they are, in some cases fillers, no matter how well placed initially, can migrate – this is especially
common around the eyes and the lips, two of the most mobile places on faces, leading to unwanted lumps, bumps and comments from strangers.

Sometimes we may have dermal fillers and find we do not like the results, and want them dissolved before.

Barring blockage of an important blood vessel during placement of dermal filler, which is a medical emergency and needs dissolution ASAP due to potentially catastrophic effects, all other consultations related to use of hyaluronidase should be planned and discussed with enough time given for the patient to make an informed decision, including a test patch for allergies if time permits.

Side effects are uncommon

Allergy – 1:1000 quoted risk, including anaphylaxis. More common side effects include redness, swelling and discomfort.

Removing too much filler – there is no way to predict how much filler will be dissolved, so we work, as always on the basis of less is more, and inject slowly and carefully till desired outcome is achieved, though we cannot guarantee that it will
only dissolve the filler that is problematic.

Infection and bruising is always a risk whenever skin is punctured.