What began as a subtle shift with Kylie Jenner’s 2018 announcement that she had removed her lip filler has now become a major trend in the world of aesthetics. The trend of filler dissolving has taken over platforms like TikTok, with over 140 million views at the time of writing. Following Jenner’s lead, other celebrities such as British influencer Molly-Mae Hague revealed they were also dissolving their fillers, further signalling a change in beauty standards. By 2024, this trend has grown into a significant movement, reflecting a wider cultural shift away from exaggerated features toward a more natural appearance.
This shift is driven by changing beauty ideals. The once-popular "pillowy" look, characterised by full, puffy lips and cheeks, has given way to the "snatched" aesthetic. This new look emphasises sharp, angular features, and many people are now seeking to reverse their earlier cosmetic enhancements in favour of this sleeker appearance.
3 Reasons People Are Dissolving Fillers
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Complications or Medical Emergencies
One of the most critical reasons for dissolving fillers is medical complications. Occasionally, fillers can cause side effects, such as getting into a blood vessel or compromising skin health, which can lead to serious conditions like skin necrosis if not treated. In these cases, immediate filler dissolution is necessary. Although these complications are rare, they require quick and confident intervention by a practitioner to avoid further harm. -
Social Pressure
Family and friends can also influence the decision to dissolve fillers. Some patients may feel pressured if their cosmetic enhancements, such as overly filled lips, appear unnatural or excessive. This aspect of the filler dissolving trend is closely tied to the current cultural desire for a more natural look. -
Personal Preference
The most common reason for patients opting to dissolve fillers is personal dissatisfaction. Over time, some patients find that their fillers no longer match their aesthetic preferences or feel that their appearance has become unnatural. Additionally, many people over-inject, misunderstanding how long fillers last, which can lead to a buildup of excess filler.
A common concern after dissolving lip fillers is the temporary appearance of wrinkly lips, which can cause unease. In this article, we’ll offer insight into what Plump It! products you can use after treatment to enhance or replace lip fillers so you can feel confident as you pursue a more natural aesthetic.
Causes of Wrinkly Lips After Dissolving
It's normal to feel concerned about wrinkly lips after dissolving fillers. While usually temporary, this condition can arise due to various factors related to the dissolving process, changes in skin dynamics, and individual anatomy.
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Loss of Volume: Fillers give lips volume and shape, so when they are dissolved, lips return to their natural size. This sudden loss of volume can temporarily accentuate wrinkles or fine lines as the lips adjust.
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Skin Elasticity and Collagen Depletion: Hyaluronic acid fillers attract water, which helps maintain skin hydration and elasticity. Once the fillers are dissolved, the skin may take time to recalibrate its elasticity. Repeated filler treatments may also impact collagen levels, affecting the skin’s firmness.
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Effects on Surrounding Tissue: The enzymatic action of hyaluronidase can temporarily affect the surrounding tissue and lip structure, potentially leading to short-term alterations in firmness and contours.
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Individual Anatomy and Pre-existing Conditions: Each person’s anatomy and skin condition play a significant role in how their lips respond to filler removal. Factors such as age, skin health, and past treatments can affect the likelihood and severity of wrinkles.
While most cases of wrinkly lips are temporary, persistent wrinkles could indicate underlying skin conditions or long-term changes in elasticity. It’s important to distinguish between these outcomes for effective treatment.
Management Strategies
Here at Plump It! we recommend using our products to enhance or replace cosmetic surgery post-dissolution, focusing on immediate relief and long-term strategies to maintain optimal lip health.
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Hydration: Drink plenty of water and use hydrating lip balms and serums containing hyaluronic acid to attract moisture, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines. Our Overnight Lip Plumping Fix is a nourishing lip treatment to repair dry, damaged and chapped lips overnight. It contains hyaluronic acid, and a powerful tripeptide that boosts the production of 6 major components of the skin matrix (including collagen and hyaluronic acid).
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Topical Treatments: Look for lip products rich in peptides and antioxidants, which can stimulate collagen production and repair the skin, gradually improving texture and firmness. Our Hyaluronic Lip Plumper mimics hyaluronic acid fillers by doubling the synthesis levels of hyaluronic acid in the lips whilst also stimulating the synthesis of matrix and dermal-epidermal junction molecules.
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Gentle Massage: Massaging the lips with your fingertips or a soft lip brush daily can boost circulation, promoting elasticity and reducing wrinkles. used alongside our lip range, you can naturally increase the size and profile of your lips, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that appear after treatment.