There are a few factors that can help you decide which type of injectable is the right one for you. The type of wrinkles you’re concerned about, the ingredients found in the injectable, and how long the results will last are all important considerations when picking one. Although how long the results from a filler lasts might seem like a small consideration, it can make a big difference when you are trying to time your injectables.
3 Months
The injectables that last for the least amount of time are the neuromodulators, such as Dysport and Botox. These injectables typically provide results that last for about three months. Along with having the shortest duration, neuromodulators also typically need more time to work than dermal fillers. Since the injections work by preventing specific muscle movements and easing the lines created by those movements, it can be take about a week before the wrinkles you’ve had treated fade.
Although Botox and Dysport last for the shortest amount of time, it is possible to keep up the results for a longer duration. If you time your injections so that you receive a new course of Botox or similar before the initial results have fully worn off, no one will be able to know the difference.
6-12 Months
Fillers made from hyaluronic acid, such as Belotero and Juvederm, tend to last anywhere from six to 12 months. Unlike Dysport or Botox, hyaluronic acid fillers are used to add volume to certain wrinkles, helping to minimize their appearance. Most hyaluronic acid fillers are FDA approved for use in treating the nasolabial folds, or the lines that stretch from the mouth to the nose. Many surgeons use the fillers to treat a variety of other concerns on the aging face, from filling in hollows under the eyes to adding volume to the lips.
A variety of factors determines exactly how long a filler made from hyaluronic acid will last. Often, the more movement there is the area reduces the duration of results. For that reason, fillers used to augment the lips typically last for less time than fillers used to cover up lines or wrinkles. In contrast, when a filler is used to fill in hollow under the eyes, a patient might be able to see results for as long as a year.
One Year or More
Several fillers provide results that last for more than year. Although most hyaluronic acid fillers give results for a year or less, an exception can be made for Juvederm Voluma. That’s because Voluma is quite different from the other hyaluronic acid fillers available.
For one thing, it plays a different role. While the other fillers are designed to minimize wrinkles, Voluma is designed to add volume to the cheek area. It’s meant to be a non-invasive, non-surgical alternative to cheek implants. The hyaluronic acid found in Voluma is quite different from the substance found in other fillers. It’s a smooth, thick gel that provides lift and volume. Results from Voluma can last for as long as two years.
Other fillers that last for more than a year are made from completely different ingredients, which is part of the reason why they last for so long. For example, Radiesse is made from calcium hydroxyapatite, a heavy ingredient that is also found in human bone.
When injected into the skin, Radiesse works in two ways. First, it provides instant volume, minimizing wrinkles and lines right away. Second, it stimulates the production of collagen in the dermis, creating a support system for the skin. The stimulated collagen production allows the injectable to keep working, long after the initial ingredient has worn off. For many people, the results from a treatment with Radiesse last for more than one year.
Like Radiesse, Sculptra injections also stimulate the production of collagen in the skin and provide results that last for up to two years. But, unlike Radiesse and other fillers, Sculptra needs some time to work. The results appear gradually, over the course of several months, and usually, over the course of several injections. Typically, injections are spaced about a four weeks apart and take place over three months. The goal of Sculptra is to add volume to the cheek area.
Since most injectables can be repeated, how long they last might not be as important a consideration as what they treat and how well they work. But, if you know that you have a big event in a month, the duration of results can impact what injectable you choose. The same is true if you have an event coming up in several months, as you might want to get a treatment well in advance, so that you can see how the results will look.
Dr. Jessica Kulak, an aging face specialist at the Naderi Center in Virginia and Maryland, offers patients a variety of injectable options. To learn more about each one and for guidance in picking the one that best meets your needs, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kulak today. Call (703) 481-0002 for an appointment in Virginia or (301) 222-2020 for an appointment in Maryland.
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