What should I do first if I am unhappy with an earlier treatment?
Without rushing, gather the product name, date, area and amount and get a second opinion from a doctor. If possible, speaking with the original doctor is also useful.
Dissatisfaction is not always due to a faulty treatment. Early swelling, asymmetry or a result that has not yet settled changes over time. It is therefore usually advised to reassess after a few weeks rather than intervene at once. During this wait, do not massage or interfere with the area yourself.
For the second opinion, keep your invoice, product label or any records from the treatment. These tell the doctor what was used. If there is no information, an assessment is still possible through examination.
How is a poor Botox result corrected?
The effect of Botox is temporary and fades over time, so an unwanted result usually resolves by waiting; for asymmetry or an over-strong effect, the doctor may consider small balancing treatments.
Loss of expression, an unwanted brow position or eyelid droop after Botox can be distressing, but the temporary nature of the effect is an important reassurance. The effect usually fades gradually over weeks. During this time your doctor may suggest monitoring or a supportive approach depending on the area and the problem.
There is no method that removes Botox quickly, so waiting and staying in contact with the right doctor are essential. In some cases a small balancing treatment may be considered, but that decision is always made on a doctor's assessment.
How is a poor filler result corrected, and what is hyaluronidase?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be reduced or dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase, which makes the filler reversible. Whether and how much to use is the doctor's decision. Other types of filler may not dissolve in the same way.
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. If a filler is excessive, in the wrong layer or irregular, the doctor can consider this option. The process varies between people and is sometimes followed over more than one session. It is a doctor's procedure and must not be tried on your own. You can find more on our dissolving filler page.
The situation is different for products that are not hyaluronic acid or whose identity is unknown. Knowing what the product is therefore forms a key part of the decision. The exact method is decided by the doctor after examination.
When should you wait and when should you seek help at once?
Mild asymmetry, early swelling and a result that has not yet settled can usually wait. Skin blanching, a net-like colour change, severe pain, vision changes or signs of infection need assessment without waiting.
Irregularities seen in the first two to four weeks after filler often improve as the product settles. Checking after a set time rather than deciding early is a common approach. By contrast, increasing pain, redness and firmness in an area, or fever, need a doctor's assessment.
The list of urgent signs is on our warning signs page. With these signs, go to the nearest healthcare facility without waiting, regardless of who performed the treatment.
What does a correction plan look like?
The plan starts with assessing the current situation: what was done, how long ago and what you want. Waiting, reduction or balancing options are then considered in turn, usually step by step.
Correction calls for a more measured approach than a new treatment. First the problem is clarified: excess volume, asymmetry, tissue texture or loss of expression. Then the step solved with the least intervention is chosen. Splitting the work into steps is often safer than correcting everything in one session.
After correction the tissue may need rest before any new treatment. We discuss natural results and a measured plan on our natural results page. Decisions should be made with enough information, not under pressure.
Frequently asked questions
Can filler be placed again after it has been dissolved?
Often it can, after a waiting period. The doctor decides the timing according to the state of the tissue.
My brows dropped after Botox, what should I do?
The effect is temporary and fades over time. Contact the doctor and report the problem so it can be assessed.
Can you dissolve filler placed at another clinic?
First, examination establishes what the product is and what is causing the problem. The decision is made after that.
Does hyaluronidase hurt or carry risks?
As with any procedure, mild discomfort, swelling or, rarely, an allergic reaction can occur. It should therefore be performed only by a doctor in a suitable setting.
How long should I wait after filler?
Early swelling and irregularities can change over a few weeks, so a hasty decision is usually avoided in the first weeks.
Sources (2)
- Kroumpouzos G, Treacy P (JMIR Dermatology): Hyaluronidase for Dermal Filler Complications: Review of Applications and Dosage Recommendations (2024)
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery: Preventing and Treating Adverse Events of Injectable Fillers: Evidence-Based Recommendations From the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Multidisciplinary Task Force (2021)
This content is for general information and does not replace a personal medical assessment.