How Long Are Those Fillers Going to Last?

Before you invest in injectable fillers, it’s only natural to want to know how long the results will last. After all, when you know what you can expect in terms of results, you can decide whether the fillers are worth the cost or you want to shop around for another option.

Several variables determine how long fillers last. Those variables include the ingredients, the site of the injection and the individual patient. Some people’s bodies process fillers faster than others, meaning the results don’t last for the same length of time. When deciding on an injectable filler, here’s how you can estimate how long it’s likely to last.

What Is the Filler Made from?

Fillers can be made from a variety of ingredients. One of the most popular ingredients by far is hyaluronic acid, a type of sugar naturally produced by the body. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that makes your skin look plump and cushions your eyes and joints. As you get older, your natural production of hyaluronic acid diminishes, which can contribute to the development of certain lines and wrinkles and to a loss of volume in your lips and cheeks.

The Juvederm family of fillers are all made from hyaluronic acid. Depending on the thickness of the injectable gel, these fillers can provide results that last anywhere from six months to two years. Usually, thinner hyaluronic acid fillers last for the shortest amount of time.

Another ingredient found in injectable fillers is calcium hydroxylapatite. It’s the active ingredient in Radiesse, an injectable that’s used to fill in deep creases and lines. Calcium hydroxylapatite is similar to a substance that’s found in human bone. It’s heavier than hyaluronic acid, which allows it to fill in deeper creases.

The ingredient also works in two stages, which can mean that it lasts longer than a typical hyaluronic acid filler. It provides instant volume and lifts the skin right after it’s injected. It also helps to spur the production of collagen, meaning lines and wrinkles stay filled in even after the initial filler has worn off. The results from a treatment with Radiesse can often last anywhere from 18 to 24 months.

Where Are the Fillers Injected?

The treatment area can also influence how long your results last. For example, traditional Juvederm, injected into the nasolabial folds, might provide results for about nine months. Injected into the lips, the same filler can provide results for around six months.

But Juvederm Volbella, which is formulated specifically for use in the lips, can deliver results that last as long as 12 months. Juvederm Voluma, which is meant for use in the cheek area, can provide results for up to two years.

Are Any Fillers Permanent?

Fillers such as Juvederm and Radiesse are considered temporary because their results last for up two years. There are more permanent filler options out there, which usually provide results for up to five years.

Often, permanent or semi-permanent fillers aren’t recommended to people looking to fill in lines or add volume. One reason for this is that your body will continue to change as the years go on. Your bone structure and facial structure might change with time. If you have semi-permanent or permanent fillers in place, there is a chance that they won’t change or evolve with your body, which can have a negative effect on your appearance.

Although it can seem like a drag to have to reschedule repeat injections, going the temporary route when it comes to fillers is often the best option.

What If You Want to Get Rid of Your Fillers?

It might be the case that after getting fillers, you decide you don’t like them. Depending on the type of filler you choose, you might be able to reverse the treatment rather than having to wait for the injectable to wear off.

Hyaluronic acid fillers can easily be dissolved by the provider who administered the injection. They simply inject a special enzyme into the location where you got the filler. The enzyme dissolves the filler, returning you to your original appearance.

One reason to reverse your fillers is if you got too much. For example, maybe you wanted to add volume to your lips, but now feel that your provider overcorrected or added too much volume.

Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique, in Houston Texas, has been providing injectable fillers and other non-surgical aesthetic treatments to patients for more than 25 years. To learn more about the fillers we offer, call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation.