A growing number of patients in London are now coming to us with the opposite of the request that brought them to a clinic for the first time. They want it undone. Filler removal has become one of the fastest-growing requests in UK aesthetic medicine, driven by a generation of patients who recognise their faces have drifted further from themselves than they intended.
Why Patients Choose Removal
The reasons are remarkably consistent across patients:
- The cumulative effect of repeated treatments has produced a face that no longer looks like them
- Migration of filler outside its original placement has created lumps, ridges or distortion
- The “filler look” that once seemed desirable has fallen out of fashion
- A return to a more natural aesthetic for personal or professional reasons
- Preparation for surgical procedures where existing filler would interfere with assessment
How Filler Removal Works
Hyaluronic acid filler — by far the most common type used in the face — can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase. The treatment is straightforward: a small amount of the enzyme is injected into the areas containing filler, and over the following days the filler is broken down and reabsorbed by the body.
What to Expect
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Consultation | Examination, mapping of filler location, allergy testing where appropriate |
| Treatment | 15–30 minutes per session |
| First 48 hours | Mild swelling and possible bruising |
| 2–7 days | Filler progressively dissolves; final result emerges |
| Multiple sessions | Some patients require 2–3 sessions, particularly where filler is long-standing or extensive |
The Important Caveats
Hyaluronidase works only on hyaluronic acid fillers. It does not dissolve permanent fillers such as Bio-Alcamid or non-HA biostimulators such as poly-L-lactic acid. Identifying what was previously injected is critical, and where records are unavailable, an experienced practitioner can usually deduce the product type from examination and history.
Allergy to hyaluronidase exists, though it is rare. A test injection is appropriate where the patient has not previously received the enzyme.
What to Expect After Removal
Many patients are surprised by how different — and often how much better — they look in the weeks after filler is removed. The face may initially appear deflated, particularly if substantial volume is dissolved at once. This typically resolves as the tissues retract over the following weeks and months. Some patients then choose conservative re-treatment with a more restrained approach; others prefer to leave the face natural going forward.
Dr. Ferrando’s Approach
Dr. Giovanni Ferrando, FRCS (Plast), increasingly performs filler removal as the cultural conversation around injectables matures. His approach is patient-led: some patients want everything dissolved in a single session, others prefer a staged removal with the option to re-treat conservatively at the end. He examines, advises, and follows the patient’s own sense of what they want.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly does filler dissolve?
Most of the filler is gone within forty-eight hours, with full resolution over one to two weeks.
Will my face look strange afterwards?
The face may look deflated in the first week or two as tissues retract. The final result usually emerges over four to six weeks and most patients prefer how they look.
Can all filler be removed?
Hyaluronic acid filler can be fully dissolved. Other filler types (permanent or biostimulator) cannot be reversed with hyaluronidase and may require alternative approaches.
Is it painful?
Discomfort is minor and brief — comparable to having filler placed in the first place.
References & Further Reading
Related articles from this clinic
External authoritative resources
- Save Face — UK government-recognised register for non-surgical practitioners
- JCCP — Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (find a registered practitioner)
Considering reversing previous filler treatments? Book a consultation with Dr. Giovanni Ferrando in London for an honest assessment. Learn more about our filler removal service.
