Filler Migration

Should You Be Concerned About Filler Migration?

At SkinWise Rx, we often use facial fillers to address signs of aging or enhance facial features. Or both! While facial fillers are generally safe and effective, there is a potential risk of the filler migrating from the injection site. Understanding the causes of filler migration can help you understand how to minimize the risk of migration and what to do if you are concerned your fillers are migrating.

Let’s start by better understanding what causes filler migration.

---

Filler migration occurs most often due to inexperience as well as poor injection technique.

---

Filler migration occurs when the injected filler moves away from the intended treatment area. Though rare it can happen for a number of reasons. Filler migration occurs most often due to inexperience as well as poor injection technique. If  your filler is injected too superficially or too deeply, you can be at risk of migration. An experienced injector with both proper equipment and experience in facial anatomy can minimize this risk by understanding proper injection technique. Some types of fillers are more prone to migration than others. Non-hyaluronic acid fillers such as Sculptra and Radiesse have a higher risk of migration than hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane.
​
Additionally, certain areas of the face, such as the lips and mouth, are more prone to filler displacement due to frequent movement and muscle activity. An experienced injector will take this into account when selecting the appropriate filler and injection site. Some types of fillers are more prone to migration than others. For example, non-hyaluronic acid fillers such as Sculptra and Radiesse have a higher risk of migration than hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane. Each patient's face is unique and an experienced injector can take your individual factors into account when deciding which fillers are appropriate for you as well as any unique factors that need to be taken into account.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to minimize your risk of migration.

• Most importantly, choose an experienced injector. It is critically important to choose a skilled and experienced injector who is familiar with facial anatomy and injection techniques. They are knowledgeable on ways to minimize the risk of migration and other complications.
• Follow your injectors post-treatment instructions. Following your injection, your injector should provide you with specific instructions on how to care for the treated areas. These instructions aren’t typically suggestions. They are often critical to achieving the results you expect. Following their instructions carefully will help minimize the risk of migration and other complications as well as help ensure you are please with your results.
• Another important step in minimizing the risk of filler migration is to avoid excessive movement or trauma in the treated area. Avoiding activities that involve frequent movement of the lips or mouth like chewing gum and smoking (which, come on, you shouldn’t be doing it anyway). Also avoid activities that may cause an impact to the injected area, like professional slap fighting and MMA. 

---

While migration of facial fillers is a potential risk, those risks can be significantly minimized by choosing an experienced and skilled injector.

---

So, what should you do if you suspect or experience filler migration?

Contact your injector immediately! If your injector is experienced they will likely know how to address your situation. Depending on the severity of the migration, your injector may recommend additional injections, dissolution, or other treatments to achieve the best possible outcome. Waiting to address the situation could result in surgical intervention to address the migration.

Filler migration may sound quite scary, and while migration of facial fillers is a potential risk, those risks can be significantly minimized by choosing an experienced and skilled injector, closely following their post-treatment instructions, and being mindful of your facial movements.