How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last? Everything UK Patients Need To Know

Types of Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injectable substances used to enhance facial features and smooth wrinkles. There’s a variety of types available, each formulated with different ingredients like hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), or calcium hydroxylapatite. These materials work by plumping up the skin, restoring volume, and minimizing the appearance of lines and folds.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps retain moisture and provide volume to the skin. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common type of dermal filler used today. They work by attracting and binding water molecules, effectively plumping up the skin and smoothing wrinkles.

These fillers typically last between 6 months to 2 years, depending on various factors such as the individual’s metabolism, lifestyle, and the area being treated.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is another type of dermal filler made from microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite crystals suspended in a gel. This biocompatible material stimulates collagen production, leading to long-lasting volume restoration and wrinkle reduction.

CaHA fillers generally last longer than hyaluronic acid fillers, with results typically lasting for 12-18 months or even longer in some cases.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) Fillers

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers are a unique type of dermal filler that works by stimulating collagen production rather than simply adding volume like hyaluronic acid.

• PLLA is gradually absorbed by the body over time, prompting the skin to produce its own collagen, which helps restore volume and smooth wrinkles.
• Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, PLLA results are long-lasting, often lasting for 18 months to 2 years or even longer.

Multiple treatment sessions spaced several weeks apart are typically required to achieve the desired results with PLLA fillers.

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

Dermal fillers offer a non-surgical way to enhance facial features and minimize wrinkles. These injectable substances come in various types, each with unique properties and longevity. Understanding how long dermal fillers last is essential for making informed decisions about your aesthetic goals and treatment expectations.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Dermal fillers are injectable substances used to enhance facial features and smooth wrinkles. There’s a variety of types available, each formulated with different ingredients like hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), or calcium hydroxylapatite. These materials work by plumping up the skin, restoring volume, and minimizing the appearance of lines and folds.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps retain moisture and provide volume to the skin. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common type of dermal filler used today. They work by attracting and binding water molecules, effectively plumping up the skin and smoothing wrinkles.

These fillers typically last between 6 months to 2 years, depending on various factors such as the individual’s metabolism, lifestyle, and the area being treated.

1. Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is another type of dermal filler made from microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite crystals suspended in a gel. This biocompatible material stimulates collagen production, leading to long-lasting volume restoration and wrinkle reduction.
2. CaHA fillers generally last longer than hyaluronic acid fillers, with results typically lasting for 12-18 months or even longer in some cases.
3. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers are a unique type of dermal filler that works by stimulating collagen production rather than simply adding volume like hyaluronic acid.
4. PLLA is gradually absorbed by the body over time, prompting the skin to produce its own collagen, which helps restore volume and smooth wrinkles.
5. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, PLLA results are long-lasting, often lasting for 18 months to 2 years or even longer.

Multiple treatment sessions spaced several weeks apart are typically required to achieve the desired results with PLLA fillers.

Dermal fillers offer a non-surgical way to enhance facial features and minimize wrinkles. These injectable substances come in various types, each with unique properties and longevity. Understanding how long dermal fillers last is essential for making informed decisions about your aesthetic goals and treatment expectations.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers are a type of dermal filler known for their longer-lasting results compared to hyaluronic acid fillers. These fillers contain microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite crystals suspended in a gel, which stimulate collagen production. This process leads to a gradual and natural volume restoration, effectively reducing the appearance of wrinkles and lines.

CaHA fillers typically last for 12-18 months or even longer in some individuals. The longevity can vary depending on factors like individual metabolism, lifestyle choices, and the treated area.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) Fillers

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers are a unique type of dermal filler that stimulates collagen production rather than simply adding volume like hyaluronic acid fillers do.

PLLA is gradually absorbed by the body over time, prompting the skin to produce its own collagen, which helps restore volume and smooth wrinkles. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, PLLA results are long-lasting, often lasting for 18 months to 2 years or even longer.

Multiple treatment sessions spaced several weeks apart are typically required to achieve the desired results with PLLA fillers.

Factors Affecting Filler Longevity

The longevity of dermal fillers can vary depending on a number of factors. These factors include the type of filler used, the individual’s metabolism, lifestyle, and the specific area being treated. Understanding these variables is crucial for patients seeking to achieve desired aesthetic outcomes and manage expectations regarding treatment duration.

Age and Skin Elasticity

Dermal fillers offer a non-surgical way to enhance facial features and minimize wrinkles. These injectable substances come in various types, each with unique properties and longevity. Understanding how long dermal fillers last is essential for making informed decisions about your aesthetic goals and treatment expectations.

The longevity of dermal fillers can vary depending on a number of factors. These factors include the type of filler used, the individual’s metabolism, lifestyle, and the specific area being treated. Understanding these variables is crucial for patients seeking to achieve desired aesthetic outcomes and manage expectations regarding treatment duration.

1. Type of Filler: Different dermal fillers are formulated with different ingredients and have varying lifespans. For example, hyaluronic acid fillers typically last between 6 months to 2 years, while poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers can last for 18 months to 2 years or even longer.
2. Individual Metabolism: A person’s metabolic rate can influence how quickly their body breaks down the filler material. Individuals with faster metabolisms may see results fade sooner than those with slower metabolisms.
3. Lifestyle Factors: Sun exposure, smoking, and certain skincare products can affect filler longevity. Protecting your skin from the sun and adopting healthy habits can help prolong the effects of dermal fillers.
4. Treatment Area: Fillers placed in areas subject to more movement or expression, such as around the mouth or eyes, tend to last shorter periods compared to areas with less movement, like the cheeks or jawline.

Lifestyle Factors

Dermal fillers are injectable substances used to enhance facial features and smooth wrinkles. There’s a variety of types available, each formulated with different ingredients like hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), or calcium hydroxylapatite. These materials work by plumping up the skin, restoring volume, and minimizing the appearance of lines and folds.

The longevity of dermal fillers can vary depending on a number of factors. These factors include the type of filler used, the individual’s metabolism, lifestyle, and the specific area being treated. Understanding these variables is crucial for patients seeking to achieve desired aesthetic outcomes and manage expectations regarding treatment duration.

1. Type of Filler: Different dermal fillers are formulated with different ingredients and have varying lifespans. For example, hyaluronic acid fillers typically last between 6 months to 2 years, while poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers can last for 18 months to 2 years or even longer.
2. Individual Metabolism: A person’s metabolic rate can influence how quickly their body breaks down the filler material. Individuals with faster metabolisms may see results fade sooner than those with slower metabolisms.
3. Lifestyle Factors: Sun exposure, smoking, and certain skincare products can affect filler longevity. Protecting your skin from the sun and adopting healthy habits can help prolong the effects of dermal fillers.
4. Treatment Area: Fillers placed in areas subject to more movement or expression, such as around the mouth or eyes, tend to last shorter periods compared to areas with less movement, like the cheeks or jawline.

Treatment Area

The longevity of dermal fillers is influenced by a number of factors. One key factor is the type of filler used. Hyaluronic acid fillers are common and typically last between 6 months to 2 years. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers, which stimulate collagen production, can last for 18 months to 2 years or longer. Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers, known for stimulating collagen, generally last 12-18 months.

Individual metabolism plays a role as well. People with faster metabolisms may see results fade sooner than those with slower metabolisms. Lifestyle factors like sun exposure and smoking can also affect longevity. Protecting your skin from the sun and adopting healthy habits can help prolong the effects of dermal fillers.

The specific area being treated also influences filler longevity. Areas prone to movement, such as around the mouth or eyes, tend to have shorter-lasting results compared to areas with less movement, like the cheeks or jawline.

Maintenance Treatments

Dermal fillers offer a non-surgical approach to enhance facial features and minimize wrinkles by plumping the skin and restoring volume. These injectable substances come in various types, each with unique properties and durations of effect. Understanding how long dermal fillers last is essential for making informed decisions about aesthetic goals and treatment expectations.

Top-Up Appointments

Maintenance treatments, also known as top-up appointments, are necessary to maintain the results of dermal filler injections over time.

• These top-up treatments involve injecting additional filler material into the treated area to replenish what has been gradually absorbed or broken down by the body.
• The frequency of maintenance appointments depends on several factors, including the type of filler used, individual metabolism, lifestyle, and the specific area treated.

Hyaluronic acid fillers, for example, typically require top-up treatments every 6 to 18 months, while poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers may only need refreshers every 18 months to 2 years or longer.

Learn more about dermal fillers for volume restoration with Dr. Laura Geige at It’s Me & You Clinic