With dermal filler injections, it is recommended to wait a maximum of 14 days for the filler to settle. This is because it can take two to three hours to address an aesthetic problem with an invasive cosmetic procedure, while dermal fillers can address several cosmetic issues in a single hour. Filler migration is the movement of a dermal filler from its injection site to another area of the body. While it is possible for fillers to migrate, this side effect is extremely rare and can be avoided by choosing a qualified injector.
Filler migration is defined as the process of spreading or “migrating” the dermal filler to another area beyond the injection site. This can occur anywhere where the filler is injected, including the tear duct, jaw line, and cheeks. In rare cases, facial fillers such as Juvederm may migrate to another site on the face a few days after the injection. This occurs when the filler moves before it has fully adhered to the facial tissue.
Tijion Esho, founder of Esho Clinic and ESHO lip products, says true filler migration is quite rare. He adds that true spontaneous migration is often the result of damaged or naturally weaker facial regions, such as the lower part of the eyes, which cannot hold on to the product as well, or an injector that underestimates the potential space between the intended treatment área and the surrounding tissue. Experts encourage thorough research on behalf of the patient that prioritizes provider experience over price. Leveraging a consultation can make the difference between the desired outcome and the need for further review.
On average, the body will naturally metabolize fillers such as Juvéderm and Restylane between six months and a year, but traces can last up to two years. Faster metabolism can speed up this process, but some fillers are manufactured to be stronger and will take longer to dissolve naturally. There is a lot of confusion about what happens with fillers. They can migrate, but only relatively soon after the injection.
After that, they are relatively stable. They then dissolve over time once the body recognizes them. However, depending on many factors, part of the filler (which, with hyaluronic acid fillers, is the precursor of collagen) becomes collagen and is permanent. If you inject the same area on different occasions, you will get more padding in the area and you will need to use less padding to achieve the same result. Not all fillers are created equal, and understanding which fillers should be used to treat different skin problems is a learned science.
With more people choosing to undergo dermal filler treatments, there is a misconception that “the more dermal fillers are injected, the better”. The best way to avoid Juvederm migration is to choose a professional, highly qualified esthetician who has years of experience applying facial fillers such as Juvederm. When patients return to me after 3 weeks of receiving a dermal lip filler treatment and say the dermal filler is “gone”, I now know it hasn't dissolved. The ability of the dermal filler to migrate is determined by the attributes of the product, the capabilities of the injector, and the amount of dermal filler used. He also warns his patients who have developed a lump above the lip so that injectable fillers dissolve before further filler injections. Because bleeding from the filler can occur when too much is applied to a particular area, it is vitally important that you tell your doctor if and when fillers have been previously applied to you.
With too much dermal filler injected into a particular area such as lips, it can lead to a duck-like bump or misplaced filler which can create problems months later. There is no doubt that dermal fillers are an effective way to address cosmetic issues quickly and effectively. However, it's important for patients to understand that these treatments require skill and precision in order to achieve desired results without any complications or side effects. Choosing an experienced injector who understands how different types of fillers work in different areas of your face will help ensure that your treatment goes smoothly.
