16 Apr How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
Dermal fillers are one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the world. According to Statista, there were 4.3 million hyaluronic acid treatments worldwide in 2022, second only to botulinum toxin at 9.2 million treatments. Hyaluronic acid is the most widely used and therefore most well known dermal filler on the market today, although there are many other formulations.
The duration of treatment results, how long dermal fillers last, is a question that most clients ask of a medical aesthetics doctor/injector during a consultation. This isn’t an easy question to answer and the practitioner often has to qualify their responses or use “averages” based on the filler manufacturer’s stated averages and the doctor’s own experience. The inexactness of the answer isn’t because the practitioner is being evasive; it’s because there are many factors that influence the duration of dermal filler treatment results, including:
- Type of dermal filler used
There are many dermal filler brands each having different formulations which can influence the duration of results. - Amount of filler injected
Using a larger volume of filler can increase results duration, although doctors must follow the filler manufacturer’s recommendations. Doctors must also consider the effects of “overtreating” an area, which can result in an unnatural appearance. More is not necessarily better! - Location of dermal filler injections
Some areas of the face respond better to fillers than others. Cheeks, forehead, chin and jawline, lips and mouth all respond well to fillers though results duration will vary. - The patient’s anatomy
Individual bone structure, skin thickness and muscle movement can all influence the quality and duration of treatment results. - Severity of concern(s) being treated
The severity of folds, wrinkles, and sagging skin (lost facial volume) influence both the result and how long the dermal filler lasts. - Skin health and lifestyle
Smoking, sun damage and skin health (elasticity, hydration, texture) may influence the results and their duration. - The doctor’s knowledge and technique
The filler injector’s knowledge of the filler used, understanding of facial anatomy, and injecting skill and precision can significantly influence the quality and duration of dermal filler treatment results.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers, also called “injectable fillers”, are gel-like soft tissue fillers that are injected beneath the skin to restore lost facial volume, fill wrinkles, creases and folds, and refine facial contours.
Many dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, although other filler substances are used. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body “where it acts as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues”, according to WebMD. Dermal filler treatments are non-invasive, well tolerated, and provide immediate results. Some clinics market dermal fillers as a “lunch hour treatment” because treatment sessions often take less than an hour.
How Long Do Different Types of Dermal Fillers Last?
There are many different types of injectable fillers, each with unique formulations and indications (recommended uses). The table below shows the most popular filler brands, typical treatment areas, and results duration as stated by the manufacturer.
| Injectable Filler Brand | Treatment Area(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Juvéderm Voluma XC | Chin | Up to 1 year |
| Cheeks | Up to 24 months | |
| Juvéderm Ultra XC | Lips | Up to 1 year |
| Juvéderm Vollure XC Juvéderm UltraPlus XC |
Marionette lines, nasolabial folds (a.k.a. “smile lines/laugh lines”) | Up to 18 months |
| Juvéderm Vollbella XC | Undereye hollows | Up to 1 Year |
| Juvéderm Volux XC | Jawline | Up to 1 year |
| Redensity 2 | Undereye hollows | At least 12 months |
| Restylane Defyne | Nasolabial folds, chin | Up to 1 year |
| Restylane Refyne | Facial wrinkles, folds | Up to 1 year |
| Restylane Lyft | Cheeks, facial wrinkles and folds, hands | Cheeks: up to 1 year Wrinkles, folds, hands: 6 months |
| Restylane Silk | Mouth wrinkles | Up to 6 months |
| Restylane and Restylane-L | Facial wrinkles, folds | Up to 18 months |
| Revanesse Versa | Nasolabial folds; oral commissures; marionette lines; and mental crease | Up to 1 year |
| Revanesse Lips | Lips | Up to 1 year |
| Radiesse | Facial wrinkles, nasolabial folds, back of hands | Up to 1 year |
| Sculptra | Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin at cheeks and jawline | 1 – 2 years |
| Bellafill | Nasolabial folds and acne scars | Nasolabial folds: up to 5 years Acne scars: up to 12 months |
Study Suggest Dermal Fillers Last Longer Than Previously Thought
While fillers are fairly long lasting, they may last even longer than was previously understood. A 2021 study by Mobin Master “Hyaluronic Acid Filler Longevity and Localization: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidence” used MRI to track the location, distribution and complications of hyaluronic acid fillers. As described in this Cosmetic Physicians College of Australia press release, the study “involved MRI scans of 14 patients over a period of approximately 16 months. From the study, one patient even had significant hyaluronic acid 12 years after treatment. The results of this study raise awareness of the unexpected longevity of hyaluronic acid and correlate with similar coincidental findings by Cosmetic Physicians”.
Book a Dermal Filler Treatment at Halcyon Cosmetic & Skin Clinic
If you’re curious about how injectable fillers can improve your appearance, read about injectable dermal filler treatments at Halcyon Cosmetic & Skin Clinic. Book a free, no-pressure consultation with our doctor. Our clinic is located in Port Moody and convenient to people who live in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.
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