Everything You Need to Know About the O-Shot and M-Shot
By: The Hidden Epidemic of Sexual Health and What We Can Do
Tempe 480.968.5673
Glendale 602.374.3374
Phoenix 602.441.3305
Chandler480.447.1165
Tempe 480.968.5673
Glendale 602.374.3374
Phoenix 602.441.3305
Chandler480.447.1165
When Dermal Filler Goes Wrong—There’s Hope Unfortunately, it’s a request we receive too often. Someone went to a med spa to plump their lips, contour their cheeks, or smooth lines and wrinkles, and their dermal filler was botched. Bad cheek filler (or lip or eye filler) is almost always the
Unfortunately, it’s a request we receive too often. Someone went to a med spa to plump their lips, contour their cheeks, or smooth lines and wrinkles, and their dermal filler was botched. Bad cheek filler (or lip or eye filler) is almost always the result of an unqualified injector. Less frequently, it’s the result of improper post-care.
At Valley Medical Weight Loss in Phoenix and Chandler, we’ve helped countless individuals correct poorly placed filler and restore their natural appearance. Thankfully, bad filler can be corrected before it dissolves naturally—with visible improvement in as little as 24 hours!
The team at Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa has seen it all. We define “fillers gone wrong” as anything that delivers results that leave you looking and feeling less than your best. Often, with more aesthetic concerns than you had before your filler. With modern fillers lasting between 6 months and 2 years, waiting until they dissolve naturally is too long for most.
Let’s explore some of our most common dermal filler correction requests.
Often referred to as marionette lines, this is the area where deep creases form that extend from the side of your nose to the corner of your mouth. The most common mistake in this area is over-injection. Even if the marionette lines are smooth, a botched treatment leaves the skin looking heavy, weighed down, or droopy.
A skilled injector understands how to position and distribute your filler appropriately to balance your facial features. This is of particular importance in those who are experiencing the facial volume loss that comes with the natural aging process.
Through clinical experience, we’ve observed that proper filler placement in this area requires understanding facial anatomy, natural aging patterns, and how to maintain facial harmony while addressing specific concerns.
Cheek filler is most often injected to minimize volume loss or to create the illusion of pronounced cheekbones. Bad cheek filler occurs when too much filler is injected or the filler is positioned in a manner that looks unnatural. This includes strong angles on one or both cheeks or an unnatural appearance from either or both the front and the side.
Another common mistake is over-plumping, often referred to as “pillow face”. If your intention was to plump up your face, but too much filler is used, your face will look unnaturally full. This can range from looking bloated to looking like you’ve put on a significant amount of weight.
The lips and the upper lip are the most frequently botched areas. The skin on and around the lips is thin and delicate. These areas can’t hold a lot of filler without looking unnatural, unless that’s the look you’re going for.
A skilled aesthetic injector understands the importance of the needle’s angle, how much is injected, how far apart it’s spaced, and how far into the lip’s dermal layers they should inject. They also understand that they must inject on and above the lips in a manner that enhances your natural contours—without overpowering your appearance.
Common Lip Filler Mistakes:
On the flip side, if you want your lips to look exaggerated, you need an injector who knows how to safely achieve the results you desire.
Bad cheek filler doesn’t only change the shape of your face, but it can create what’s known as “sunset eyes”. When too much dermal filler is injected into the cheeks or mid-face, it can cause the skin around your eyes to droop downward. This drastically changes your appearance.
Another common mistake is overfilling the under-eye area to the point that it eliminates the connection between the cheek and the lower lash line. This is most common if the wrong type of filler is used.
Last but not least, if the filler around the eyes is lumpy, it wasn’t injected properly. This might be one noticeable bump or a series of lumps.
Worst-case scenario—temporary or permanent loss of vision can occur if the filler is injected into the arteries. This is one of the many potential risks of going to an unqualified injector.
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we emphasize the critical importance of choosing a qualified, experienced injector to minimize these serious risks.
You could return to your initial injector, but if they didn’t properly inject your filler, they may not know how to correct it. Even if they can correct it, they’ve likely lost your trust.
If your dermal filler has you feeling more self-conscious than you were before it was injected, or you just don’t want filler anymore, schedule an appointment with Valley Medical. We’re a medically-licensed team of trained and tenured aesthetic injectors.
During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your filler and advise on the correction you require. If it’s been less than 2 weeks since your filler was injected, we’ll likely need to wait. Within the first 2 weeks, it’s not uncommon to experience bruising and swelling. As the swelling subsides, your results may look more natural.
If your results are still too pronounced, we’ll advise on your corrective treatment options.
Modern fillers last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. The thought of waiting it out is agonizing, but there’s no need to wait! Once your initial bruising and swelling have subsided, we’ll create a tailored strategy utilizing hyaluronidase injections for small treatment areas or Morpheus8 for bad cheek filler.
This enzyme rapidly degrades and dissolves hyaluronic acid-based fillers. It selectively targets hyaluronic acid, without harming surrounding tissues.
What to Expect:
You’re likely to have a bit of swelling after your corrective injection, but you’ll see visible results within 24 hours—and significant results within 48 hours.
You may require more than 1 corrective treatment to achieve the desired results.
Morpheus8 is most often utilized for rejuvenating the skin by remodeling, smoothing, and tightening. However, it can also be utilized for dissolving botched fillers on large treatment areas such as the cheeks.
How It Works:
Morpheus8 utilizes a combination of microneedling and radio frequency to rapidly degrade fillers. Results will take longer than hyaluronidase, but it may be the most effective option for the cheeks and face.
You’ll gradually start looking like yourself over the next 3 to 4 weeks.
The larger the treatment area and the more exaggerated or asymmetrical the results, the more likely you’ll require more than 1 corrective treatment.
If multiple sessions are required, your appearance will gradually improve. We’ll schedule a follow-up visit to assess your progress, and if needed, additional treatments to fine-tune your contours.
Through experience at Valley Medical Weight Loss, we’ve found that most individuals see significant improvement after 1-2 correction sessions, though complex cases may require more.
It depends. We tailor corrective treatments to the individual. In some cases, we will need to dissolve all or most of your filler. In other cases, we may be able to precision-target how and where we dissolve.
During your consultation, we’ll advise on which path is right to achieve your desired outcome. Some individuals want all filler removed, while others simply want adjustments to create a more natural appearance.
After bad cheek filler, over-plumped lips, or lumpy eye filler, you may be hesitant to reconsider dermal fillers. If you decide to give it another go, invest a bit more time in the selection process.
The tips below minimize the risk of painful, harmful, costly, and emotionally-disruptive consequences.
Legally, all aesthetic injectors must be licensed medical doctors, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants. If the person you’re considering won’t provide their credentials, don’t risk it.
Red flags to watch for:
Just because someone is licensed to give injections (of any kind) doesn’t mean they have the training to work with dermal fillers. So, inquire about their aesthetics training and how long they’ve been administering cosmetic injections.
Questions to ask:
Head online and read the medical spa’s client reviews. Read both positive feedback and successful outcomes as well as negative reviews. Also, ask for recommendations from trusted friends or family members who’ve had similar treatments.
Valley Medical is proud to say that we have over 1,000 5-star reviews!
Ask to see the before and after photos of other individuals undergoing the same treatment. Verify that these are actual patient photos, not the photos the dermal filler brand provides for marketing.
View some of Valley Medical’s patient photos here!
What to look for:
We’re all for being mindful of your spending, but your health and safety are paramount. While you may shop around, price must not be your primary deciding factor.
Once you verify the information above, schedule an in-person consultation. This will give you a feel for the practitioner and demonstrate their ability to listen to your unique needs—and personalize your treatment plan. During your consultation, inquire about their safety protocols and how to contact them if complications arise.
With hyaluronidase, you’ll see visible improvement within 24 hours and significant results within 48 hours. Morpheus8 takes 3-4 weeks for full results.
Most people experience minimal discomfort. We use topical numbing cream before treatment, and the injection itself is quick.
No. Hyaluronidase specifically targets hyaluronic acid without harming surrounding tissues. Morpheus8 actually improves skin quality while dissolving filler.
Hyaluronidase only works on hyaluronic acid-based fillers (the most common type). Other filler types may require different approaches or time to dissolve naturally.
Typically, we recommend waiting 2-4 weeks after dissolution before considering a new filler. This allows swelling to subside and gives us a clear canvas to work with.
Many individuals have successfully corrected botched fillers at Valley Medical Weight Loss. One person shared, “The team dissolved my overfilled lips in one session. Within two days, I looked like myself again. I was so relieved!”
Another told us, “I had terrible cheek filler that made me look unnatural. They used Morpheus8 to dissolve it and actually improved my skin texture at the same time. I’m so grateful!”
Valley Medical Weight Loss has been helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals for over 15 years, with more than 80,000 patients served across the Phoenix metro area. Our four convenient locations in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, and Chandler offer physician-supervised weight loss programs, advanced treatments, and personalized support—all with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. We believe in making effective weight loss accessible, affordable, and sustainable for everyone
If you live in the Phoenix area and want to have your botched filler reversed, reach out to Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa. We have locations in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, and Chandler.
We can dissolve filler that was improperly injected or filler you no longer want.
A botched aesthetic treatment is stressful. When and if you’re ready, we hope you’ll consider our medically licensed team for your next round of cosmetic therapies!
Visit us at any location:
Walk-In Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9am-4:30pm Sat: 8am-1:30pm Wed, Sun: Closed
Join our newsletter for expert insights on treating melasma, hyperpigmentation, and other skin concerns. Our medical aesthetic team shares practical advice to help you achieve clear, radiant skin.
Dermal Filler Services:
Corrective and Rejuvenation Treatments:
Advanced Facial Treatments:
Additional Resources:
By Dr. Samuel Zuniga, ND
Valley Medical Weight Loss | Chandler, Arizona
Unfortunately, it’s a request we receive too often. Someone went to a med spa to plump their lips, contour their cheeks, or smooth lines and wrinkles, and their dermal filler was botched. Bad cheek filler (or lip or eye filler) is almost always the result of an unqualified injector. Less frequently, it’s the result of improper post-care.
At Valley Medical Weight Loss in Phoenix and Chandler, we’ve helped countless individuals correct poorly placed filler and restore their natural appearance. Thankfully, bad filler can be corrected before it dissolves naturally—with visible improvement in as little as 24 hours!
The team at Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa has seen it all. We define “fillers gone wrong” as anything that delivers results that leave you looking and feeling less than your best. Often, with more aesthetic concerns than you had before your filler. With modern fillers lasting between 6 months and 2 years, waiting until they dissolve naturally is too long for most.
Let’s explore some of our most common dermal filler correction requests.
Often referred to as marionette lines, this is the area where deep creases form that extend from the side of your nose to the corner of your mouth. The most common mistake in this area is over-injection. Even if the marionette lines are smooth, a botched treatment leaves the skin looking heavy, weighed down, or droopy.
A skilled injector understands how to position and distribute your filler appropriately to balance your facial features. This is of particular importance in those who are experiencing the facial volume loss that comes with the natural aging process.
Through clinical experience, we’ve observed that proper filler placement in this area requires understanding facial anatomy, natural aging patterns, and how to maintain facial harmony while addressing specific concerns.
Cheek filler is most often injected to minimize volume loss or to create the illusion of pronounced cheekbones. Bad cheek filler occurs when too much filler is injected or the filler is positioned in a manner that looks unnatural. This includes strong angles on one or both cheeks or an unnatural appearance from either or both the front and the side.
Another common mistake is over-plumping, often referred to as “pillow face”. If your intention was to plump up your face, but too much filler is used, your face will look unnaturally full. This can range from looking bloated to looking like you’ve put on a significant amount of weight.
The lips and the upper lip are the most frequently botched areas. The skin on and around the lips is thin and delicate. These areas can’t hold a lot of filler without looking unnatural, unless that’s the look you’re going for.
A skilled aesthetic injector understands the importance of the needle’s angle, how much is injected, how far apart it’s spaced, and how far into the lip’s dermal layers they should inject. They also understand that they must inject on and above the lips in a manner that enhances your natural contours—without overpowering your appearance.
Common Lip Filler Mistakes:
On the flip side, if you want your lips to look exaggerated, you need an injector who knows how to safely achieve the results you desire.
Bad cheek filler doesn’t only change the shape of your face, but it can create what’s known as “sunset eyes”. When too much dermal filler is injected into the cheeks or mid-face, it can cause the skin around your eyes to droop downward. This drastically changes your appearance.
Another common mistake is overfilling the under-eye area to the point that it eliminates the connection between the cheek and the lower lash line. This is most common if the wrong type of filler is used.
Last but not least, if the filler around the eyes is lumpy, it wasn’t injected properly. This might be one noticeable bump or a series of lumps.
Worst-case scenario—temporary or permanent loss of vision can occur if the filler is injected into the arteries. This is one of the many potential risks of going to an unqualified injector.
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we emphasize the critical importance of choosing a qualified, experienced injector to minimize these serious risks.
You could return to your initial injector, but if they didn’t properly inject your filler, they may not know how to correct it. Even if they can correct it, they’ve likely lost your trust.
If your dermal filler has you feeling more self-conscious than you were before it was injected, or you just don’t want filler anymore, schedule an appointment with Valley Medical. We’re a medically-licensed team of trained and tenured aesthetic injectors.
During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your filler and advise on the correction you require. If it’s been less than 2 weeks since your filler was injected, we’ll likely need to wait. Within the first 2 weeks, it’s not uncommon to experience bruising and swelling. As the swelling subsides, your results may look more natural.
If your results are still too pronounced, we’ll advise on your corrective treatment options.
Modern fillers last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. The thought of waiting it out is agonizing, but there’s no need to wait! Once your initial bruising and swelling have subsided, we’ll create a tailored strategy utilizing hyaluronidase injections for small treatment areas or Morpheus8 for bad cheek filler.
This enzyme rapidly degrades and dissolves hyaluronic acid-based fillers. It selectively targets hyaluronic acid, without harming surrounding tissues.
What to Expect:
You’re likely to have a bit of swelling after your corrective injection, but you’ll see visible results within 24 hours—and significant results within 48 hours.
You may require more than 1 corrective treatment to achieve the desired results.
Morpheus8 is most often utilized for rejuvenating the skin by remodeling, smoothing, and tightening. However, it can also be utilized for dissolving botched fillers on large treatment areas such as the cheeks.
How It Works:
Morpheus8 utilizes a combination of microneedling and radio frequency to rapidly degrade fillers. Results will take longer than hyaluronidase, but it may be the most effective option for the cheeks and face.
You’ll gradually start looking like yourself over the next 3 to 4 weeks.
The larger the treatment area and the more exaggerated or asymmetrical the results, the more likely you’ll require more than 1 corrective treatment.
If multiple sessions are required, your appearance will gradually improve. We’ll schedule a follow-up visit to assess your progress, and if needed, additional treatments to fine-tune your contours.
Through experience at Valley Medical Weight Loss, we’ve found that most individuals see significant improvement after 1-2 correction sessions, though complex cases may require more.
It depends. We tailor corrective treatments to the individual. In some cases, we will need to dissolve all or most of your filler. In other cases, we may be able to precision-target how and where we dissolve.
During your consultation, we’ll advise on which path is right to achieve your desired outcome. Some individuals want all filler removed, while others simply want adjustments to create a more natural appearance.
After bad cheek filler, over-plumped lips, or lumpy eye filler, you may be hesitant to reconsider dermal fillers. If you decide to give it another go, invest a bit more time in the selection process.
The tips below minimize the risk of painful, harmful, costly, and emotionally-disruptive consequences.
Legally, all aesthetic injectors must be licensed medical doctors, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants. If the person you’re considering won’t provide their credentials, don’t risk it.
Red flags to watch for:
Just because someone is licensed to give injections (of any kind) doesn’t mean they have the training to work with dermal fillers. So, inquire about their aesthetics training and how long they’ve been administering cosmetic injections.
Questions to ask:
Head online and read the medical spa’s client reviews. Read both positive feedback and successful outcomes as well as negative reviews. Also, ask for recommendations from trusted friends or family members who’ve had similar treatments.
Valley Medical is proud to say that we have over 1,000 5-star reviews!
Ask to see the before and after photos of other individuals undergoing the same treatment. Verify that these are actual patient photos, not the photos the dermal filler brand provides for marketing.
View some of Valley Medical’s patient photos here!
What to look for:
We’re all for being mindful of your spending, but your health and safety are paramount. While you may shop around, price must not be your primary deciding factor.
Once you verify the information above, schedule an in-person consultation. This will give you a feel for the practitioner and demonstrate their ability to listen to your unique needs—and personalize your treatment plan. During your consultation, inquire about their safety protocols and how to contact them if complications arise.
With hyaluronidase, you’ll see visible improvement within 24 hours and significant results within 48 hours. Morpheus8 takes 3-4 weeks for full results.
Most people experience minimal discomfort. We use topical numbing cream before treatment, and the injection itself is quick.
No. Hyaluronidase specifically targets hyaluronic acid without harming surrounding tissues. Morpheus8 actually improves skin quality while dissolving filler.
Hyaluronidase only works on hyaluronic acid-based fillers (the most common type). Other filler types may require different approaches or time to dissolve naturally.
Typically, we recommend waiting 2-4 weeks after dissolution before considering a new filler. This allows swelling to subside and gives us a clear canvas to work with.
Many individuals have successfully corrected botched fillers at Valley Medical Weight Loss. One person shared, “The team dissolved my overfilled lips in one session. Within two days, I looked like myself again. I was so relieved!”
Another told us, “I had terrible cheek filler that made me look unnatural. They used Morpheus8 to dissolve it and actually improved my skin texture at the same time. I’m so grateful!”
Valley Medical Weight Loss has been helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals for over 15 years, with more than 80,000 patients served across the Phoenix metro area. Our four convenient locations in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, and Chandler offer physician-supervised weight loss programs, advanced treatments, and personalized support—all with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. We believe in making effective weight loss accessible, affordable, and sustainable for everyone
If you live in the Phoenix area and want to have your botched filler reversed, reach out to Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa. We have locations in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, and Chandler.
We can dissolve filler that was improperly injected or filler you no longer want.
A botched aesthetic treatment is stressful. When and if you’re ready, we hope you’ll consider our medically licensed team for your next round of cosmetic therapies!
Visit us at any location:
Walk-In Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9am-4:30pm Sat: 8am-1:30pm Wed, Sun: Closed
Join our newsletter for expert insights on treating melasma, hyperpigmentation, and other skin concerns. Our medical aesthetic team shares practical advice to help you achieve clear, radiant skin.
Dermal Filler Services:
Corrective and Rejuvenation Treatments:
Advanced Facial Treatments:
Additional Resources:
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am-4:30 pm
Saturday: 8am-1:30pm
Wednesday & Sunday: Closed
Med Spa: By appointment only