Here's What Happens When You Remove Lip Fillers

With their ever-changing hairstyles, highly sought after fitness secrets, and makeup collections, you can always count on Kardashians topping the beauty headlines. This week, Kylie Jenner has taken the cake with a shocking lip update.

Recently, fans noticed that there was something very different about Kylie’s appearance, particularly her lips. “She looks like the old Kylie here idk why,” a fan commented under an Instagram post. The Kylie Cosmetics founder then responded: “I got rid of all my filler.” Hello, plot twist.

(Quick recap: The 20-year-old first admitted to getting lip injections in an episode of Keeping up With the Kardashians in 2015 — after months of claiming that their larger appearance was an illusion created with lip liner.)

Taken aback by Jenner’s big reveal, we couldn’t help but examine the recent images of the beauty mogul. Of course, being the beauty aficionados that we are, this led to several questions. Is this non-surgical treatment actually 100 percent reversible? Are there any side effects to removing lip fillers? And just how easy is it to remove the fillers? So we reached out to board-certified plastic surgeons to get to the full lowdown.

Lesson No.1: Not all lip fillers are fully reversible. According to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Rowe from Rowe Plastic Surgery, only hyaluronic acid-based fillers, such as the Juvéderm that Jenner used, are reversible. To remove hyaluronic acid-based fillers, dermatologists use an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which removes hyaluronic acid.

Lesson No.2: As with any treatment, there are risks with filler-remover including bruising, swelling, and it can potentially make your lips appear even thinner than they did pre-lip fillers. "[Hyaluronidase] removes both the injected and your own natural hyaluronic acid. The fear is injecting too much of the medication to remove the filler and inadvertently removing the patient's own natural hyaluronic acid derived fullness," Dr. Rowe shared.

While hyaluronic acid fillers last only between six to twelve months, they can cause permanent changes. “Most fillers are absorbed by the body in about a year. They do, however, leave 10 percent of their volume behind in the form of scar tissue, which translates into permanent fullness," Dr. Rowe added. So that's why Jenner's lips might still look fuller even though she removed her fillers. 

Lesson No.3: There may be permanent changes. The action of receiving frequent injections can also leave a long-lasting effect on your lips. "Repetitive filler injections can potentially stimulate your natural collagen production," explained Dr. Franziska Huettner from Plastic Surgery Group of NYC. "After the filler has been fully dissolved, it possible for the area to remain fuller and smoother," she said. 

Is Jenner done with lip fillers for good? That’s one questions we don’t have the answer to at the moment. Nonetheless, the stunning mom looks great with or without them.