What is lip filler migration?

Lip filler migration is a topic on a lot of people’s lips these days (no pun intended). With many of our patients wanting to achieve a more defined pout, comes a lot of questions about how lip filler migration happens and whether they will fall victim to it. Let’s take a look at lip filler migration in more detail.

Lip enhancements are still one of the most requested non-surgical treatments. And with hyaluronic acid used as an efficient way of adding volume and hydration to lips, it isn’t hard to see why. It is a simple procedure that can be completed in 30-minutes and after a couple of weeks of downtime, lips can look plump, and volumised but also still very natural.

Sadly, due to the popularity of lip fillers, there is an increased possibility that things won’t quite go to plan, especially if you are in the wrong hands. This is where lip filler migration can happen and unfortunately, it has led to a lot of patient concerns around the matter. 

So, what exactly is lip filler migration?

The main cause of lip filler migration is poor injection technique. If the injector has not injected the product properly, the filler may spread to unintended locations and the emergence of what has come to be known as “duck lips” occurs.

What does lip filler migration look like?

Lip filler migration presents itself by the lips looking more ‘puffy’ than normal. Quite often, it is referred to as looking like ‘duck lips’.

Is lip filler migration permanent?

It is not permanent; it does break down over time or it can be dissolved.

Depending on how recently the filler was injected, the migration will last approximately 6. During that time your body will naturally down the filler.

How can I prevent lip filler migration?

There are a number of ways lip filler migration can be prevented:

• Choose a reputable practitioner: Choosing a medically trained practitioner with lots of experience and vast knowledge of facial anatomy will that your filler won’t spread or migrate to another area of your body. When researching clinics and practitioners, check out the credentials of these people and places. Also, look at their before & after results – if they don’t have any on show, this probably means they aren’t very experienced!

• Ensuring that an appropriate amount of filler is applied to the lips: Migration often occurs due to parts of the body being overfilled with this substance and it moving into other areas. At VIVA Skin Clinics, we normally recommend starting with 0.5ml of dermal filler in the first session as this prevents the lips from being over-filled.

• Use trusted brands:  When seeking out lip filler treatment, it’s best to select a practitioner that relies on a particular reputable brand. At VIVA Skin Clinics we use Juvéderm by Allergan – one of the safest and most renowned brands.

• Follow aftercare instructions: Migration can sometimes occur if you ignore the practitioner’s aftercare instructions. The administration of dermal fillers can be a delicate process and therefore we rely on you to do what you can to ensure that fillers heal as they are supposed to.

Interested in any of these treatments? Book a consultation with us today! You can also find our price list here.