How Long Do Facial Fillers Last?
It’s inevitable: as we age, our faces lose subcutaneous fat, and our skin begins to stretch. This , of course, leads to pesky fine lines, wrinkles and sagging. While lifestyle and genetics may play a role in how quickly you age, Father Time always wins in the end. And that’s where facial fillers come in
Facial fillers are a safe, effective and nonsurgical way to augment and sculpt the face, smoothing out wrinkles and restoring a youthful fullness to the face. Our clients enjoy dramatic results with little or no downtime, and they leave looking rested and refreshed (but never overdone).
Because there are many options to choose from, our clients often ask us which facial filler lasts the longest. The standard advice is that different fillers last anywhere from between 6-18 months. So you can just follow whatever the label says, right? Wrong!
You can’t always trust what the ‘standard’ duration time for a facial filler is, because patient factors play a very important role in their longevity. That’s why it’s best to work with an experienced Master Injector who is willing and able to closely with you, to come up with the best possible treatment plan for your unique needs, genetics and lifestyle.
To understand how long facial fillers last, let’s first explore how they work.
Why Can’t Facial Fillers Last Forever?
Dr. Dheshnie is skilled in augmenting and sculpting clients’ faces with dermal fillers, including:
- Lip plumping
- Cheek enhancement
- Nose shaping
- Scar improvement
- Temple lift
- Jawline lift
- Brow lift
But they say ‘nothing lasts forever,’ and at least when it comes to facial fillers, that is certainly true. Fillers are made with hyaluronic acid (HA), which is something your body makes naturally. And because your body makes HA naturally, it also breaks it down naturally. So slowly, over time, your body will break down and rid your body of the filler.
And when the filler is all gone, so are all the beautiful plumping effects. At this point, you’ll start to see wrinkles again. But don’t worry – you can simply be retreated.
How Long Do Facial Fillers Last?
Most fillers are marketed as lasting between 6 months, 12 months, or 18 months, and we offer options of each variety at our clinic. But these lifespans are just estimates. Patient factors play a very important role in the breakdown of HA. Depending on how their body reacts to treatment, what works for one person may not work for another.
Further complicating things, other factors like medication, exercise, and strength training can cause the HA to break down much quicker.
So it always takes some trial and error to see which filler works best for the individual (and any aesthetician who tells you otherwise is just trying to make a quick sale).
Then there’s also the fact that some areas have to be built up over time. It’s never the case that a single injection is all you need. We have to work up to creating the best version of ourselves.
But don’t let that discourage you! Facial fillers create stunning results when used properly, and, like we’ll cover below, there are complementary treatments and lifestyle choices that can help increase their lifespan.
We also offer our clients unique membership packages that can make this investment much easier.
How To Make Your Facial Filler Last Longer
One of the best ways to make your facial filler last longer is to make all those healthy lifestyle choices that also prevent wrinkles. That means eating a healthy diet, reducing stress, and exercising regularly.
It’s also incredibly important to stay out of the sun as much as possible, and always wear sunscreen (here are 3 effective mineral sunscreens that don’t create a whitecast).
In addition, for my clients who like to be proactive in their anti-aging regimen, I like to suggest supplementing fillers with other noninvasive treatments. Namely, fillers can be combined with the following treatments:
- Mesotherapy – with a potent combination of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and plant extracts, mesotherapy rejuvenates and tightens skin. By using micro-injections to break down scar tissue and stimulate collagen production, it helps reduce the signs of aging. Learn more here.
- Botox – the cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, this is an injectable that temporarily reduces or eliminates fine lines or wrinkles. Botox can be used in conjunction with dermal fillers for a completely smooth, relaxed and natural appearance.
- Microbotox – also called mesobotox or baby Botox, this treatment infuses Botox into the skin cells using a micro-needling technique. The needle is as fine as a single strand of hair, and the result is an incredibly natural, lifted look with no downtime. Learn more here.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) – This safe anti-aging treatment can effectively treat scars, minimize wrinkles and pores and leave your skin looking plumper and more refreshed. During the PRP procedure, platelet-rich plasma is taken from your own blood. We spin it in a centrifuge to concentrate and isolate platelets, and then inject it into the desired area using micro-needling techniques. From dark under-eye hollows to sagging facial skin, platelet-rich plasma treatments can dramatically regenerate aging and damaged cells. Learn more about the many benefits of PRP here.
Our founder Dr. Dheshnie is a Master Injector who is committed to providing her clients with the latest and best aesthetics and cosmetics in downtown Vancouver, BC. As such, she works with clients to create an individualized plan to achieve their best possible results. Contact us to book an appointment or learn more.