How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

The skin will naturally sag and wrinkle as it ages but there are various treatments that can delay the aging process. Dermal filler treatments are a fantastic alternative to invasive forms of plastic surgery because, in a few quick injections, your face can look smoother and younger for a long period of time.

So long do dermal fillers persist after the injection? With proper aftercare and minimal damage to the skin, dermal fillers can last up to 18 months or even past 2 years. The duration of dermal fillers depends on your skin condition, age, lifestyle factors, skincare routine, and stress levels.

Do Dermal Fillers Last Long?

Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are absorbed by the tissues in the skin to tighten wrinkled and saggy areas and provide a fuller and youthful appearance. Depending on its base, the dermal filler will be depleted within 8 months to a year. However, they can go past its expected lifespan with a rigorous skin care routine and a healthy lifestyle. The dermal filler treatment can be re-done when all the filler has been metabolized.

Temporary fillers will be slowly diminished as the enzymes in the skin will break it down to simpler sugars, increasing collagen production in the treatment area. These dermal fillers will usually last for up to a year or longer, depending on the condition of the skin and the chemical base of the dermal filler. For example, synthetic fillers like calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid can last up to five years.

The full results of a dermal filler will appear 4 weeks after the treatment. It will begin to decrease within 6 to 8 months as the body will slowly return to its regular collagen production levels prior to the injection. If you are unsatisfied with the results of the treatment used with a hyaluronic acid filler, you may request a hyaluronidase injection to quickly break down the injected filler. Through this method, the effects of the dermal filler treatment will only last for 2 to 4 weeks.

How the Material Affects the Duration of Dermal Fillers

All dermal fillers use a synthetic biodegradable gel that holds the sugars and minerals in place. As the gel is metabolized by the body, so are its attached compounds that are later made into collagen. These compounds are based on naturally occurring chemicals like hyaluronic acid and calcium which are essential in maintaining skin volume, promoting skin elasticity, and hydrating the skin.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are a popular choice for injectable dermal fillers as the sugar molecule is already used in other skincare products. These come in cheek fillers like Juvederm Voluma XC and Restylane Lyft; lip fillers such as Juvederm Volbella XC, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Restylane Kysse; and facial fillers like Juvederm XC, Juvederm Vollure XC, Restylane Defyne, and Restylane Refyne.

The variance in product lines is based on viscosity levels and chemical makeup. Juvederm Voluma is the longest-lasting product in the Juvederm line, lasting up to 2 years with maintenance treatments. However, it cannot be applied to the lips because of its thick volume. It is designed to smoothen deep fine lines, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines.

A range of dermal fillers will be applied in a single treatment to target different areas across the face. Due to the metabolism of the body, some dermal fillers may start to fade faster than others. Thicker fillers meant for the cheeks are meant to counteract wrinkles caused by facial movement. If there is persistent excessive facial movement after the injection, the cheek filler dissipates faster than the lip filler or eye filler.

Why Are Some Dermal Fillers Permanent?

There are injectable dermal fillers that create permanent results by utilizing synthetic compounds. Along with collagen, it is composed of polymethylmethacrylate in the form of microscopic spheres. This will provide a consistent amount of volume and skin tightening for an indefinite period of time as the body cannot metabolize nor break down the compound.

These products are the most vicious and thickest dermal filler in the market. They are designed to completely stay within the treatment area once injected. So if there are any complications like infections, persistent side effects, or unsatisfactory results, it will require an extensive procedure to remove all of the filler in the treated area.

There are other semi-permanent dermal fillers that generally last longer than temporary fillers like HA fillers. Products like Radiasse use calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa)—a mineral found in the bone—to stimulate collagen production in the treated area, lasting upwards of 18 months or 2 years. Other filler bases include poly-L-lactic acid, a facial filler that can increase skin tightening by creating a natural “scaffolding” where collagen can be produced.

Temporary Dermal FIllers vs. Permanent Dermal Fillers

Temporary dermal fillers and semi-permanent fillers are made from natural biodegradable materials that are identical to what the body uses to maintain the skin. These can be made from collagen, hyaluronic acid, and calcium hydroxylapatite. Since the body uses the filler to create more collagen, its skin tightening results will only last for years and may require maintenance treatment after the initial injection.

However, this can be convenient if additional injections are needed to correct the treatment. This is why follow-up injections may be necessary after the initial treatment so the dermatologist can observe how your skin is adjusting to the filler. If you are prone to side effects, infection, and allergies as it is much easier to remove or adjust the dermal fillers. With a hyaluronic acid filler, a hyaluronidase injection will quickly and safely dissolve it, reverting any of the filler’s effects.

Meanwhile, permanent dermal fillers can provide lifelong facelifting benefits but come with various risks. Though maintenance treatments are not required to retain the filler’s anti-aging benefits, any issues that occur in the initial injection cannot be reversed without extraneous procedures like: infection, uneven or results, and persistent side effects. Additionally, permanent dermal fillers generally cost twice as much as temporary dermal fillers.

For most dermatologists, temporary dermal fillers are the primary choice for filler treatment. Both are quick, painless, and non-invasive skin treatments but having them permanently will run the risk of heavier and prolonged problems that may affect your quality of life. Temporary dermal filler offers enough leeway for adjustments to be made to provide the best natural-looking results of the treatment.

Aftercare Steps to Extend The Duration of Our Dermal Fillers

Given that temporary dermal fillers are the safest and most flexible option out of the injectable dermal fillers, it is important to take necessary steps to lengthen its anti-aging results. While the effects of the dermal filler treatment will subside overtime, these steps can increase filler longevity and efficacy.

1. Minimize Facial Movement

Wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging occur due to the aging process but can be produced with excessive facial movement and touching. These can create dynamic wrinkles that appear when the face is moved.

This should be avoided at all costs during the first two weeks after the dermal filler treatment as it may shift the location of the dermal filler, causing uneven developments in the skin. Avoiding putting makeup, wiping your face with a towel, and scratching the face two days after the treatment.

2. Avoid Damaging Your Skin

Damaging the collagen in the skin will increase wrinkles, sagging, and fine lines, thereby reducing the lifespan and benefits of the dermal filler treatment. Protect the results of the dermal filler treatment by avoiding increased levels of stress, sun exposure without a 45+ SPF sunscreen, and smoking. All these sources of collagen damage will accelerate the aging process of the skin.

3. Regularly Consult Our Expert Dermatologists

Without an expert eye, it is difficult to tell whether you have received the full effects dermal filler treatment and whether it can last more than a year. Maintenance treatments are essential to boosting the results of the dermal filler. They will also inform you the most effective ways you can increase the longevity of your filler specific to the condition of your skin.

Longer Lasting Dermal Fillers at Dr. Lanna Aesthetics

Dermal fillers are a fantastic way to refresh your skin in an instant. Though they are temporary, its results can quickly relieve any wrinkles, sagging, folds, and scarring without any period of downtime. Taking proper steps to properly preserve its effects so that you can retain a youthful appearance.

At Dr. Lanna Aesthetics, we combine in-depth dermatology expertise and high-quality dermal fillers to provide the most effective, effortless, and enduring filler treatment in NYC. Book a consultation online to begin receiving a world-class dermal filler treatment.