Dermal fillers work wonders for turning back the hands of time and erasing the common signs of aging, especially if something more invasive isn’t in the cards. Although dermal fillers are known for their ability to volumize flat and hollow facial features and plump up fine lines, wrinkles, and folds, dermal fillers don’t last forever. Many people who choose dermal filler treatments often ask how long their dermal fillers last so that they can plan accordingly for this rejuvenating treatment.
Understanding How Long Dermal Fillers Last
Dermal fillers are a popular treatment for restoring volume to the face, smoothing out wrinkles, and enhancing facial contours. Some dermal fillers last longer than others, and their duration depends on several factors.
Temporary hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm last 6 to 18 months. Where the filler is injected will also impact its duration.Collagen-stimulating fillers like Radiesse and Sculptra can provide results that remain for up to two years due to their unique formulation, which creates new collagen in the skin. Each filler’s distinct composition, particle size, and crosslinked concentration of hyaluronic acid determines how long that specific dermal filler will remain.
Several factors influence the longevity of dermal fillers, which include:
- Metabolism
- Injection technique
- The amount of filler injected
- Where the filler is injected since areas of movement, like the lips, break down filler faster, whereas areas such as the temples and under the eyes are areas of little movement, so filler lasts longer
- Lifestyle choices
- Your skincare routine
Everyone is different, and your genetic predisposition and how your body reacts to and breaks down the filler also determine how long your filler lasts. Touch-up treatments are recommended to maintain the results, especially once the filler gradually disintegrates, which is normal. Regularly treating the same areas of the face with your dermal filler of choice often leads to improved longevity.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Dermal Fillers
If you’re looking to extend how long your dermal fillers last, there are a few tricks of the trade you can implement to help their effects stick around. Since everyone metabolizes fillers at a different rate, it’s best to do what you can to reduce your skin’s exposure to free radicals, which can hinder the health of your skin. Wearing sunscreen daily, using skincare products with antioxidants, limiting your exposure to light, and eating a healthy diet can all help to maintain how long your dermal fillers last while protecting your skin from free radical damage.
Unbeknownst to many, the sun can also harm your dermal fillers if you don’t protect your skin. UV rays can accelerate the rate at which dermal fillers, specifically hyaluronic acid fillers, break down. Plus, the sun can cause skin inflammation, which can lead to swelling and affect how long your fillers last.
You’ll also want to follow a well-rounded skincare routine that consists of good moisturizers to help the skin retain proper hydration and prolong the effects of your dermal fillers. Add retinol to your routine to help in skin cell turnover so that the skin is as healthy as possible.
Maintaining Realistic Expectations
Plenty of patients want to know precisely how long the results of their dermal filler will last. While most fillers last, on average, 6 to 18 months, it’s essential to have realistic expectations. To ensure you fully understand what the treatment can offer and what type of results you can expect, we recommend booking a consultation as the first step in your dermal filler journey.
Although dermal fillers can majorly improve the common signs of aging, it’s essential to recognize that you may need to couple them with other treatments to provide the correction you seek. Of course, your facial anatomy, the type of filler used, and where on the face the fillers are injected all play into how long your results will last. So, even if you are happy with the final results, they are not a permanent option and require maintenance sessions to maintain the results. Plan on getting touch-up treatments as early as six months after your initial appointment, depending on how long your injections last.
