Dermal Fillers for Nasolabial Folds: How Long Does It Last?

Fine lines and facial wrinkles are only normal as people age, but many people still want to get rid of them to maintain their youthfulness. Patients who want to eliminate these signs of aging can opt for a dermal filler treatment to replace the lost facial volume and smooth deep nasolabial folds. But unlike facial plastic surgery, these injectable dermal fillers only provide temporary anti-wrinkle results for a few months.

So how long does it take before nasolabial dermal filler results fade? This varies per patient depending on which nasolabial filler type was injected and how well they take care of their skin. But for most patients, these cosmetic fillers may last anywhere from 6 to 12 months before needing a maintenance treatment.

How Long Do Fillers Last on Treated Nasolabial Folds?

According to the 2020 ASPS Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, about 3.4 million soft tissue filler treatments were performed in the country alone. This minimally invasive anti-aging procedure doesn’t require cosmetic surgery to erase facial wrinkles and add facial volume to the cheeks, chin, and other treatment areas.

Facial fillers come in various types and brands with different active ingredients, textures, and formulations meant for different treatment areas. The most common ones are made of hyaluronic acid (like Juvederm and Restylane) to fill the wrinkles while minimizing the risk of serious complications.

But one thing that patients must know before getting dermal fillers for their deep nasolabial folds and other treatment areas is that the filler results are only temporary. It takes a few months for the hyaluronic acid and other filler ingredients to be fully absorbed by the body, causing the nasolabial folds to reappear.

a. How Fillers Work for Nasolabial Folds

Deep nasolabial folds are another reminder of aging for most people. These are the lines that run between the nose and the corner of the mouth. Although they’re a normal part of human anatomy, these facial creases become more visible with age as the skin loses its natural collagen and elastin.

When injected into the treatment area, the dermal filler injection instantly replaces a part of the lost facial volume there. The hyaluronic acid filler also absorbs water molecules in the injected area to add more volume over time. Additionally, the facial filler also stimulates natural collagen production in the nasolabial tissues to maintain its anti-aging results for longer.

The recommended dosage of nasolabial fillers depends on the patient’s anatomy and desired results, but most of them only need about 1 syringe per side per treatment session. The procedure may involve slight pain and discomfort, but some dermal fillers already come with lidocaine to make the treatment more comfortable for patients.

To achieve the best results, filler providers also recommend having dermal filler treatments for the lips, marionette lines, and smile lines.

b. How Long Before They’re Absorbed

HA filler injections are the most preferred option for erasing deep nasolabial folds because they’re easy to work with. Doctors may also dissolve the hyaluronic acid dermal filler using hyaluronidase if the patient isn’t satisfied with their results.

These dermal fillers naturally wear off over time as the body gradually absorbs them. To help patients out, here’s a quick guide to how long common hyaluronic acid fillers stay in the treatment area until the last drop is dissolved:

• Juvederm – Juvederm fillers are a group of hyaluronic acid fillers formulated for different treatment areas. Most injectors use Juvederm Vollure XC, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Juvederm Ultra Plus for removing deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Other Juvederm fillers that are part of the line include Juvederm Voluma XC and Juvederm Volbella XC. These fillers last for about 6 to 18 months.
• Restylane – Similar to Juvederm, Restylane is also a family of hyaluronic acid injections with different formulas for various treatment areas. The best ones to use for deep nasolabial folds are Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne. Other Restylane fillers that are part of the line include Restylane Contour, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk, and Restylane Kysse. These fillers may last up to 18 months.
• Belotero – Belotero is another brand of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers used for different treatment areas around the face. Belotero Balance works best for filling deep nasolabial folds and erasing severe smile lines around the mouth. These fillers usually last around 6 to 18 months.

Other filler types like PLLA, PMMA, CaHA, and fat injection treatments may last longer in the treatment areas. However, they’re not ideally used as a nasolabial fold or lip filler because they don’t provide the same safety and quality as hyaluronic acid injections.

c. What to Do if Filler Results are Gone

The treated severe facial wrinkle or deep nasolabial fold may start appearing in the injection sites again after a few months. This means that the injected dermal fillers have dissolved in the nasolabial area.

Patients don’t have to worry about filler absorption since the ingredients are biocompatible. Still, most patients are advised to return for additional injections every few months to help maintain their results for longer. Talk to your dermal filler provider about getting maintenance treatments when the nasolabial folds become visible again after a few months.

Are Multiple Filler Treatments Safe for Nasolabial Folds?

Dermal fillers are generally safe, as long as they’re injected by experienced providers and administered at the right time. However, some patients are still hesitant about getting them since they usually involve additional injections every few months.

There’s no limit to how many filler injections patients can get for their nasolabial folds, as long as they’re generally healthy with good skin laxity. Patients who want to limit their filler treatments can always ask their provider about different ways to prolong the filler results.

Possible Risks

Like any other cosmetic procedure, getting Restylane and Juvederm fillers also involve some mild side effects that patients should be aware of. It’s normal to experience mild bruising, pain, numbness, and swelling at the injection sites after the procedure. These symptoms usually subside after a few days as the treated sites heal, but make sure to contact a physician immediately if they persist or worsen.

In rare cases, some patients may develop serious complications like skin necrosis, vision impairment, and infection. To avoid these complications, always make sure to get your nasolabial dermal fillers from trusted dermatologists, plastic surgeons, or experienced providers.

Long-Term Effects

The long-term effects of multiple hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections aren’t explored well, but most of the available studies report that these fillers have no long-term health implications for patients who use them multiple times. Serious complications and bad filler jobs are often caused by inexperienced providers and subpar filler products.

What Affects Nasolabial Fold Filler Longevity?

Filler longevity refers to how long the injected dermal filler stays in the treatment area. Having a nasolabial fold filler that lasts longer means the patient only needs fewer maintenance injections. To make the fillers stay on the skin for longer, it’s crucial to understand the factors affecting their longevity first.

1. Type of Filler Used

Dermal fillers made of PLLA, PMMA, and CaHA usually stay in the treatment areas for longer, but they’re not the best choice for nasolabial folds. Most providers use hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero because they’re safer and easier to work with. But the problem with these fillers is that they only last about 6 to 18 months, which is shorter than other filler types.

In addition to the dermal filler’s active ingredient, it’s also crucial to consider the concentration and thickness of the hyaluronic acid filler. Thicker fillers are difficult to shape, but they generally last longer than thinner filler formulations.

2. Filler Placement

Dermal fillers can be injected near the surface of the skin or deeper. Shallow filler placements last longer, but they’re more likely to form lumps and discolorations if not properly injected. On the other hand, deeper filler placements look more natural but they disappear more quickly since they’re absorbed by the surrounding skin tissues.

3. Amount of Injected Filler

Most patients only need a small amount of dermal filler to improve their facial contours and erase deep nasolabial folds, but this also means their results might disappear more quickly. Injecting more fillers into the treatment areas help prolong longevity, but it might not look good on the patient’s anatomy. More fillers mean more distortion of the contours and slopes of the face.

Important Tips to Keep Your Filler for Longer

Aside from choosing the right filler type and injecting the right filler amount into the deep nasolabial folds, patients must also think of other ways to prolong the results of their nasolabial filler. Here are some important tips that can help you maintain your wrinkle-free skin and filler results for longer:

• Use high-SPF sunscreens to protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
• Maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
• Learn different stress management techniques.
• Develop a daily skincare routine based on your skin type using ingredients like retinoids, collagen, and hyaluronic acid.
• Follow the aftercare instructions prescribed by the provider for the first few days after the filler appointment.
• Go to the maintenance filler appointments recommended by the provider.

Goodbye to Deep Nasolabial Folds at Dr. Lanna Aesthetics

Nasolabial and lip filler treatments usually last about 6 to 18 months before they start fading. Since these treatments are safe and minimally invasive, patients can get multiple treatment sessions every few months to maintain their results for longer.

At Dr. Lanna Aesthetics, we offer high-quality hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to erase deep wrinkles and restore youthfulness for our patients. Thanks to our several years of experience in the industry, we’ve already mastered different injection techniques that allow us to deliver optimal results with every treatment.

Call us today to book an appointment.