Dissolving dermal filler typically costs between $200 and $1,000 per session, depending on how much filler needs to be removed, the treatment area, and your location. Most people pay somewhere in the $400 to $600 range for a straightforward session, though complex cases involving large volumes, filler migration, or multiple areas can push costs above $1,000. You may also need more than one session, which adds to the total.
What Affects the Price
The biggest cost driver is how much filler you’re dissolving. Removing a small amount from one lip takes less product and less time than reversing multiple syringes spread across the cheeks and jawline. Clinics in major metro areas and premium aesthetic markets tend to charge more, with South Florida, New York, and Los Angeles sitting at the higher end of the range.
Some providers charge per vial of the dissolving enzyme, typically $200 to $300 per vial. Others charge a flat session fee regardless of how many vials are used. If you’re comparing quotes, ask whether the price covers the full treatment or just a single vial, since some cases require more than one.
How Filler Dissolving Works
Only hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers can be dissolved. Brands like Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero fall into this category. If your filler is made from a different material, such as calcium hydroxylapatite or poly-L-lactic acid, this process won’t work on it.
The dissolving agent is an enzyme called hyaluronidase. It works by breaking the chemical bonds that hold hyaluronic acid molecules together, chopping the gel into tiny sugar fragments your body absorbs naturally. HA fillers are designed with cross-links that make them last longer in the skin, and these cross-links also make them harder to dissolve. Thicker, more heavily cross-linked fillers (like those used in cheeks or jawlines) generally require more enzyme than thinner lip fillers.
There’s no universally agreed-upon dose. Different filler brands dissolve at different rates, and clinical guidelines recommend treating “to effect,” meaning the practitioner injects enough enzyme to get the job done rather than following a rigid formula. The focus is on fully covering the area where filler sits rather than counting exact units.
How Quickly It Works
You’ll notice some change almost immediately. The enzyme starts breaking bonds on contact, and visible softening or flattening of the filler can happen within minutes. However, the full result takes longer to settle. The enzyme remains active for 24 to 48 hours after injection, continuing to break down filler during that window. Its initial action can crack open the cross-links so the filler behaves more like the body’s own hyaluronic acid, which then breaks down naturally over the following hours and days.
Research shows hyaluronidase loses its active effect in the deeper skin layers within about 3 to 6 hours, but swelling from the injection itself can mask your true result. Most practitioners say to wait up to 14 days before judging the final outcome.
Why You Might Need Multiple Sessions
One session doesn’t always remove everything. If you had a large volume of filler, or if the filler is densely cross-linked, some product may remain after the first round. Practitioners generally prefer a conservative approach, dissolving in stages rather than flooding the area with enzyme all at once. This gives them more control over the final result and reduces the risk of overcorrection.
If you do need a second session, it’s typically scheduled one to two weeks after the first, once swelling has resolved and the practitioner can see exactly how much filler remains.
What Happens to Your Natural Tissue
This is the part most people don’t expect. Hyaluronidase doesn’t only target injected filler. It can also break down the hyaluronic acid your body produces naturally in the skin. In some cases, the enzyme may actually degrade your natural HA more readily than the cross-linked filler it’s meant to dissolve. This can cause temporary volume loss and skin laxity in the treated area that goes beyond just removing the filler.
Your body does replenish its own hyaluronic acid over time, so this effect isn’t permanent. But it’s worth knowing that the treated area may look somewhat deflated or loose for a period before your natural tissue recovers. This is one reason practitioners emphasize using the minimum effective amount of enzyme.
Getting New Filler After Dissolving
If you’re planning to dissolve filler and then have new filler placed, timing matters. Research indicates hyaluronidase clears from the deeper skin layers within 3 to 6 hours, but most practitioners recommend waiting at least two weeks before reinjecting. This allows any swelling to fully resolve, your natural tissue to recover, and ensures you and your provider can accurately assess the area before adding new product.
What the Session Feels Like
The procedure itself is quick, usually taking 15 to 30 minutes. The enzyme is injected directly into and around the filler using a fine needle. It stings, and some providers mix the enzyme with a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort. Expect swelling, redness, and possibly some bruising at the injection sites afterward. The swelling can be significant enough to temporarily make the area look larger than it did before treatment, which can be alarming but resolves within a few days.
Allergic reactions to hyaluronidase are uncommon but possible. Some providers offer a small skin test beforehand, injecting a tiny amount on the forearm and watching for a reaction before proceeding with the full treatment.