Markham, Ontario · Physician-performed

Filler Dissolving in Markham

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme used to safely dissolve unwanted or misplaced hyaluronic acid filler. Whether addressing overfilling, asymmetry, migration, lumps, or preparing for re-treatment, this procedure helps restore natural facial contours and provides a fresh foundation for future enhancement if desired.

Price

from $100

Appointment

30 minutes

Performed by

Dr. Mazzuca, MD

Location

Markham, ON

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Quick answer

Filler dissolving in Markham at Dr. Monique Mazzuca Aesthetics starts from $100 and is performed personally by a licensed physician (MD, CCFP) at 200 Cachet Woods Court, Suite 309, in a 30-minute appointment. Dr. Mazzuca injects hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid filler, to correct overfilling, migration, lumps, asymmetry or a bluish tint, or to clear old filler before re-treatment. The effect begins within hours, most of it is visible within 24 to 48 hours, and the final result is judged at about two weeks; some patients need a second session. Swelling and redness usually settle within a few days. It works only on hyaluronic acid fillers. New patients start with a $50 consultation.

What filler dissolving is

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar molecule found naturally in the skin, and it is the basis of most lip, cheek, under-eye, chin and jawline fillers. One of the main safety advantages of HA filler is that it can be reversed. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme, also found naturally in the body, that breaks hyaluronic acid down. It has been used in medicine for decades, for example to help other injected medications spread through tissue, and in aesthetic medicine it is the standard way to dissolve HA filler.

Patients come for filler dissolving for many reasons: a result that looks heavier than they wanted, filler that has drifted, a lump they can feel, an uneven result, or simply a wish to start fresh after years of treatment. Some have had filler at this clinic; many have had it elsewhere. Either way, the aim is the same as in all of Dr. Mazzuca's work: to restore natural facial contours and, if you wish, to give you a clean foundation for future treatment.

How hyaluronidase works

HA fillers are made of hyaluronic acid chains that are cross-linked into a gel so they last for months. Hyaluronidase breaks the bonds in those chains, turning the gel into smaller fragments that your body then clears naturally. It is injected directly into or around the filler that needs correcting, in small, targeted amounts.

The dose is not a fixed recipe. It depends on how much filler is present, how long it has been there, the type of product and the area. Some fillers are more resistant than others and may need more enzyme or a second session. Dr. Mazzuca generally starts conservatively and reassesses, because it is easier to dissolve a little more later than to replace what has been removed.

Two limits are important. First, hyaluronidase only works on hyaluronic acid. It does not dissolve collagen biostimulators such as Sculptra or Radiesse, or permanent fillers such as silicone. Second, the enzyme is not perfectly selective: it also breaks down some of the hyaluronic acid naturally present in your skin. That effect is temporary, as your body replaces its own hyaluronic acid, but it is one reason the area can look slightly flatter for a short time after treatment.

Filler dissolving in Markham: what it treats

Situations where Dr. Mazzuca may recommend dissolving:

• Overfilling: lips, cheeks or under-eyes that look heavy, puffy or "pillowy" rather than natural.
• Migration: lip filler that has spread above the lip border (sometimes called a filler moustache) or under-eye filler that has drifted.
• Lumps and irregularity caused by HA filler that you can see or feel.
• Asymmetry where one side has more filler than the other.
• A bluish tint where filler sits too close to the surface, most often under the eyes (the Tyndall effect).
• Persistent puffiness associated with under-eye filler.
• Preparing for re-treatment: clearing old filler so the area can be reassessed and, if desired, treated more conservatively.

Hyaluronidase is also the emergency treatment for vascular occlusion, a rare complication in which filler blocks blood flow to the skin. That is not something to book online: if you have recently had filler anywhere and notice sudden severe pain, or skin turning pale, grey, dusky or blotchy, contact your injector immediately, and if your vision changes, go to the nearest emergency department.

Not every lump is filler. Swelling, scar tissue, an inflammatory reaction or, rarely, infection can look similar and need different treatment. Dr. Mazzuca assesses the cause before injecting anything.

Who it suits, and who should wait

Good candidates are adults with hyaluronic acid filler they are unhappy with, whether it was placed last month or several years ago, and whether it was placed at this clinic or elsewhere. If you can, bring details of your previous treatment: the product name, the date, the area, the amount and where it was done. If those details are not available, Dr. Mazzuca will assess by examination and history and will explain any uncertainty.

Dissolving is not the right answer if the filler is not hyaluronic acid, or if the problem is actually swelling from a very recent treatment. Fresh filler is often still swollen for up to two weeks, and swelling can look like overfilling, so unless there is an urgent concern Dr. Mazzuca may suggest waiting before deciding.

Hyaluronidase is a protein, and allergic reactions, while uncommon, can occur. Tell Dr. Mazzuca about any previous reaction to hyaluronidase and about any allergy to bee or wasp stings, because hyaluronidase is a component of bee venom and cross-reaction is possible. She may perform a small skin test first. Non-urgent treatment is usually postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and if there is an active skin infection in the area. Dr. Mazzuca will also review your medications and supplements, since some can increase bruising or affect how well the enzyme works.

What the appointment is like

1. Assessment. Dr. Mazzuca examines and gently feels the area, reviews your treatment history and any photos, and confirms whether dissolving is the right answer. Sometimes a small amount of filler on the other side, or simply waiting, is the better choice.
2. Allergy screening. Your allergy history is reviewed and, where appropriate, a small test dose is placed and observed before full treatment.
3. Treatment. The enzyme is injected into the filler with a fine needle. It usually stings or burns briefly. The injections themselves take only a few minutes.
4. After treatment. The area may be gently massaged to help the enzyme spread through the filler. You are observed briefly, given written aftercare instructions and booked for a review if needed.

The visit is booked for 30 minutes. Most patients return to normal activities straight away, although the area is often swollen and red for a day or two.

When you see results, and how many sessions you need

Hyaluronidase begins working within hours. Most of the change is visible within 24 to 48 hours, and the final result is judged at about two weeks, once swelling has settled. Small, recent or soft fillers often dissolve in one session. Larger amounts, filler that has been in place for a long time, or more resistant products may need a second or third session, usually spaced a couple of weeks apart.

It is possible to reduce filler partially with small, targeted doses, but the enzyme is not precise enough to guarantee an exact amount is left behind. In some cases the more predictable route is to dissolve fully and rebuild conservatively. Dr. Mazzuca will discuss which approach suits your situation.

After dissolving, you will see how the area looks without filler, which can be a surprise if it has been treated for many years. Skin that has been stretched by heavy filler over a long period may not fully return to its earlier shape. If you want to re-treat, Dr. Mazzuca typically waits about two weeks so that swelling has gone and the area can be assessed accurately.

Downtime, side effects and risks

Expected effects are stinging during the injection, followed by swelling, redness, itching, tenderness and sometimes bruising for a few days. Swelling can make the area look larger before it looks smaller, so try not to judge the result in the first day or two.

Other possible effects include temporary flattening or hollowing if natural hyaluronic acid is also broken down, which usually recovers over the following weeks, and incomplete dissolving that needs another session. A local allergic reaction, such as more widespread swelling, itching or hives, is uncommon. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is rare, and it is one reason this treatment should be performed by a physician who screens for allergy and can recognize and manage a reaction. Infection is rare.

Aftercare

• Use a cold compress for swelling in the first 24 hours; do not press hard on the area.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, hot yoga and alcohol for 24 hours.
• Keep makeup off the injection points for the rest of the day.
• Do not book filler or other treatments in the same area until Dr. Mazzuca has reviewed the result, usually at about two weeks.
• Keep a note of what was dissolved and when, for your own records and for any future practitioner.

Contact the clinic if swelling, itching or hives spread beyond the treated area, or if the area becomes increasingly painful, hot or red. Difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, or feeling faint is an emergency: call 911.

Dissolving vs waiting, rebalancing or other treatment

Option	When it makes sense	Trade-offs
Dissolve with hyaluronidase	Lumps, migration, overfilling, a bluish tint, or starting over	Quick and effective; may need more than one session; temporary swelling; small allergy risk
Wait for the filler to break down	Minor concerns, or filler near the end of its expected life	No procedure, but HA filler can persist longer than expected and the concern remains meanwhile
Rebalance with filler elsewhere	Mild asymmetry where one side is under-filled rather than the other over-filled	Adds volume; not appropriate if the problem is too much filler
Medical management	Some inflammatory nodules, swelling or infection	Depends on the cause; not every lump is filler

If you would like to be re-treated after dissolving, Dr. Mazzuca plans a more conservative result, using lip filler or dermal filler in smaller amounts and, under the eyes, sometimes a non-filler approach through under-eye rejuvenation with PRF. Patients who prefer gradual change can consider collagen biostimulators such as Sculptra and Radiesse, which cannot be dissolved and are planned accordingly. Movement lines are often better treated with Botox than with filler, which avoids the issue altogether.

Why patients choose a physician

At this clinic the person assessing you and the person treating you are the same person, and that person is a licensed physician. Dr. Mazzuca is an MD with CCFP certification in family medicine and additional training in cosmetic medicine, facial anatomy, women's health, and longevity medicine. Treatment is not delegated.

Her stated approach is to emphasise "subtle, elegant results that refresh rather than transform, using the least invasive treatments necessary to achieve safe, natural, and lasting outcomes."

Dissolving filler well means distinguishing filler from swelling, scar tissue or infection, understanding where it was likely placed, choosing a dose for the product and area, and being ready to manage an allergic reaction. The same enzyme is the emergency treatment for vascular occlusion, so it belongs with a physician who is comfortable using it. Dr. Mazzuca regularly sees patients whose filler was placed elsewhere and treats them without judgement.

Booking, pricing and what happens next

Step	What it involves	Cost
1. Consultation	Facial and skin assessment, discussion of goals, customized plan	$50 (30 min)
2. Virtual option	Video consult if you are outside the Markham area	$20 (15 min)
3. Filler Correction & Dissolving	Treatment performed by Dr. Mazzuca	from $100 (30 minutes)

All appointments are booked online through the clinic's booking system, where current availability and pricing are shown before you confirm.

Filler dissolving with Dr. Mazzuca starts from $100. The final cost depends on the number of areas, the amount of filler and whether more than one session is needed; if a second session is required, each visit is from $100, so two sessions start from $200. Any re-treatment with filler afterwards is priced separately (lip filler from $500, dermal filler from $600). Cosmetic filler correction is generally not covered by OHIP.

Serving Markham and the Greater Toronto Area

The clinic is located at 200 Cachet Woods Court, Suite 309 in the Cachet Woods area of Markham, near Woodbine Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive, with parking on site. Patients travel from Unionville, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Aurora, Stouffville, Thornhill, North York, Scarborough and the wider GTA. If you are outside the area, a virtual consultation is available before you commit to an in-person visit.

Frequently asked questions

Every treatment on this page is booked through Dr. Mazzuca's secure online system. New patients begin with a consultation; returning patients can book the treatment directly.

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Monique Mazzuca, MD, CCFP. Last reviewed 2026-08-07.

This page is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for an in-person assessment. Results vary between patients, and every treatment carries risks that are reviewed with you before you consent. Suitability is determined by Dr. Mazzuca at your consultation.

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