Which fillers last the longest? Can you make fillers last longer? Are there dermal fillers that last more than two years?
If you read our in-depth guide to dermal fillers, you already know why dermal fillers have become one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
But beyond restoring a youthful look, you probably also care about how long you get to 'see' those results.
In this article, we will answer these questions and address all the main factors that determine how long you get to keep those fantastic antiageing effects you get after a dermal filler treatment.
Let's get started:
Have you come across figures like "6 to 9 months" or "up to 2 years" when you do an internet search on: "how long do dermal fillers last?"
Not only are fillers categorized by the substance they are made from, but this is also the primary determinant of how long their effects will last.
For example:
The most common filler category is hyaluronic acid (HA) based fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance within the body that helps keep skin plump and hydrated.
HA fillers are soft and gel-like and are made with non-animal Hyaluronic Acid (HA). Most HA filler results typically last 6 to 12 months as the body gradually breaks down and absorbs all the filler particles.
Some popular HA filler brands include Intraline, Juvederm, Restylane and Belotero Balance.
On the other hand, you have Calcium Hydroxylapatite fillers, Poly-L-lactic acid fillers and Polymethyl Methacrylate fillers which last longer than HA fillers.
Why is this the case?
Calcium Hydroxylapatite fillers are microscopic calcium particles suspended in a smooth gel that's thicker than a HA filler. Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers stimulate the production of new collagen in turn, building a new connective tissue matrix of the skin.
After a while, the calcium particles are cleared from the body, but the new collagen continues to provide visible anti-ageing results for 12 to 18 months vs 6 to 12 months for HA fillers.
Currently, Radiesse is the only FDA-approved Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) filler.
Another dermal filler type is Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers, the most popular brand being Sculptra.
Sculptra works similarly to Radiesse. However, its collagen stimulating capability is more robust. Higher and more sustained collagen production levels mean its results are longer-lasting (up to 2-5 years).
Unlike HA filler treatments which are one-and-done—you only need one treatment appointment to produce your ideal results—PLLA filler procedures call for a series of 3 consecutive sessions, about 6 weeks apart.
Also, its anti-ageing effect is not immediate. Instead, noticeable results will appear gradually over the treatment course and the months that follow.
Next, we have Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) fillers, another collagen stimulating filler. Bellafill, formerly known as Artefill, is the only FDA approved Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) filler.
It's composed of primarily bovine collagen and a small number of unabsorbable microspheres, which your body can't break down and absorb over time. These microspheres, also called polymethyl methacrylate, stimulate collagen production in the skin.
As long as the polymethyl methacrylate is present in your skin, it will continue to encourage your body to produce natural collagen and ultimately strengthen the underlying structure of your skin.
While not necessarily permanent, Bellafill lasts a very long time (8-10 years).
However, getting Bellafill is not all roses! Unlike all HA fillers, which can be reversed, the other fillers, though longer-lasting, are irreversible.
If you are unhappy with your result, you just have to wait until the body reabsorbs the filler. But no one has 8 years to live with the undesirable result!
This means you'll probably have to get Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) filler surgically removed from your face.
What else influences the longevity of a filler?
While the type of filler largely influences its longevity, like most things in life, it's never that simple.
That's why it's not surprising that all dermal filler brands give wide ranges of how long they expect their dermal fillers to last. Multiple other factors will determine precisely how long it will take before your next visit to your injector.
Amount of correction done
The amount of filler used also influences how long a filler last. For example, cheek filler injection with 2 syringes of Intraline M4 Plus will have a longer-lasting effect than a single syringe of Intraline M4 Plus. You have to consider the risk of overfilling, so injecting more filler is not always possible.
In addition to the amount of filler, regular treatment of the same area of the face with filler leads eventually to better longevity. For example, lips treated for the first time with filler may last 4-6 months. However, with regular treatment, the same filler may last longer.
Area treated
Generally speaking, fillers injected into the temples and under the eyes tend to last the longest, while lip fillers last the shortest time. These differences in longevity are most likely due to the amount of motion in the treated area.
Frequent movement can cause the filler to break down faster and diminish the longevity of your result. Since the lips and mouth move a lot, you'll probably need a follow-up treatment in these areas sooner.
Genetics
If you've been reading any of our dermal filler or botox posts, you'll know that genetics plays a very big role in how your skin ages and responds to non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
Every patient's body metabolizes fillers differently. Intraline for Men may last 8 months in the nasolabial folds in one male patient, while another patient with slower metabolism may see results lasting 11 months.
Get dermal fillers to last longer
While you can't stop the ageing process, there are several things you can do to slow it down drastically. These steps will, in turn, contribute to your dermal filler results lasting a while longer.
Make skincare a priority
Many people wrongly assume that getting a dermal filler treatment done is a free pass from their daily skincare routine. This couldn't be further from the truth!
To extend the results of your filler treatment, you need to make maintaining your skin health a top priority. If Botox and fillers are like exercise, then at-home skincare is like a healthy diet.
You can get a good result with one, but focusing on both will always be better.
Make suitable lifestyle changes
One of the worst things you can do for the health and appearance of your skin is:
- Consuming tobacco products
- Drink excessive alcohol
- Have a poor sleep schedule
- Manage stress poorly
These can accelerate the ageing process and worsen telltale signs of ageing. If you fall into any of these categories, make positive lifestyle changes and your skin will thank you.
The older you get, the more critical it is to pay attention to the health of your skin. Starting at the age of 25, your skin's production rate of collagen starts to decrease significantly.
Therefore, you need to make sure you're getting plenty of skin-boosting nutrients in your diet or through supplements.
All these changes are not only good for your overall health but will also positively impact how long your facial fillers last.
Even if it's just gaining a few extra weeks before you have to go repeat filler treatment, it will make an immense difference in the long run.
Wear sunscreen
Though a part of skincare, this one deserves a section of its own. Other than age, one of the most common reasons behind the development of wrinkles is overexposure to UV light. One of the best things you can do to keep premature ageing at bay is to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every time you go outside.
It's crucial that you wear broad-spectrum sunscreen because some sunscreens do not protect your skin from both UVA & UVB rays. It should also have an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 35, but more protection is always better. Check out Dr Aesthetica #1 recommended sunscreen.
Combine your Dermal Filler with a Botox treatment
Combining Botox and dermal fillers can be quite beneficial as it allows you to treat different types of wrinkles simultaneously.
Botox relaxes dynamic wrinkles (caused by repeated facial movements like squinting and frowning) while dermal fillers smooth out static wrinkles (which are visible even when the face is at rest).
More than that, using both anti-ageing treatments together can also prolong the results of treatment. Botox relaxes muscle movement, which allows the filler to be less likely to break down as quickly.
At Dr Aesthetica We Genuinely Care About You
Quality service is more than providing a dermal filler treatment, being done with it and moving on to the next patient. We want you to feel empowered and confident.
We will listen to you and handle you with utmost care on every step of your transformation journey; from the moment you step into our clinic for consultation, to the actual treatment and the follow up afterwards.
Take a moment to learn more about what sets Dr Aesthetica from the rest
