What Is Filler Migration?
Filler migration occurs when hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers move from their original injection site to surrounding tissues. This can result in unnatural-looking volume distribution — the infamous "duck lips" or "filler moustache" that dominate social media cautionary tales.
However, what many patients (and even some practitioners) call "migration" is often a combination of several phenomena:
🧬 True Migration
Filler physically moves through tissue planes, typically due to improper placement depth, excessive volume, or high tissue mobility in the area.
💧 Hydrophilic Swelling
HA fillers absorb water (they're hydrophilic). Over time, they can swell beyond their original volume, creating the appearance of migration.
🎭 Tyndall Effect
Superficially placed filler creates a bluish discoloration under the skin, making the filler visible and often mistaken for migration.
Risk Factors
- Volume: Overfilling is the #1 risk factor. More is not always more.
- Injection Depth: Too superficial = visible lumps and Tyndall effect.
- Area: Lips and tear troughs have the highest migration rates due to constant muscle movement.
- Product Choice: Low-cohesivity fillers spread more easily than highly cross-linked products.
- Injector Experience: Board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons have statistically lower complication rates.
Prevention: The Golden Rules
- Choose your injector carefully — credentials matter more than price.
- Start conservatively — you can always add more at a follow-up.
- Avoid massaging the area for 48-72 hours post-injection.
- Follow aftercare instructions precisely. See our aftercare guide →
- Schedule follow-ups at 2 weeks to assess results before adding more.
Already experiencing migration?
Hyaluronidase can safely dissolve misplaced HA filler. Learn about the dissolution protocol.
Dissolution Guide →