From plumping your cheeks to reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, it might seem as if there is nothing injectable fillers can’t do. Although fillers offer a lot when it comes to facial rejuvenation, they do have one drawback. Their results aren’t permanent.
In fact, there is a great deal of variation when it comes to how long different fillers will last. Some provide results for just a few months, while others can last for years. Read on to take a look at some of the filler options out there, learn more about what they do, and find out how long you can expect them to last.
Juvederm XC
Juvederm XC is a hyaluronic acid filler that can reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and vertical lines around your lips. The injectable can even fill in deep lines and wrinkles on the face. Although exact results can vary from person to person, Juvederm can last for up to 12 months.
Juvederm Volbella
The Juvederm product line actually includes an entire family of hyaluronic acid fillers. Each product in the family has a specific role. While Juvederm XC is meant to treat lines and wrinkles, Volbella was developed to plump up the lips, adding volume, improving contour, and helping to smooth fine lines around the mouth. Like XC, the results from Volbella can last for up to one year.
Juvederm Voluma
The thickness of a dermal filler is one feature that influences how long it will last. Juvederm Voluma is one of the thickest dermal fillers available. It’s also the first one designed to add volume to the cheek area. Because of its thickness, Voluma takes longer to break down as compared to other Juvederm products. It can provide results for up to two years.
Perlane (aka Restylane Lyft)
Restylane Lyft, formerly known as Perlane, is another hyaluronic acid filler that is used to smooth the appearance of the nasolabial folds and other facial wrinkles. The injectable is also FDA-approved for adding volume to the cheek area and for restoring volume to the backs of the hands.
How long the results from Restylane Lyft last depends on the area being treated. The injectable can smooth lines and wrinkles in the nasolabial folds and restore volume to the hands for up to six months. When used to add volume to the cheek area, results can last for up to one year.
Radiesse
Radiesse works differently than other dermal fillers and is made from different ingredients. The main ingredient in Radiesse is calcium hydroxylapatite, which is similar to the material that makes up human bones. The injection works in two phases. First, it adds volume to the treated area, helping to smooth lines and wrinkles. Next, it stimulates collagen production, so that results last even after the initial injection has worn off.
Results from Radiesse can last for a year or longer.
Restylane
Like Juvederm, Restylane is a family of injectable fillers, each one targeting a specific area. Restylane can be used to smooth wrinkles by the nose and mouth or to add volume to the lips. Results can last from six months to one year.
Sculptra
Sculptra is made from poly-l-lactic acid and is an injectable filler that is in a class by itself. It helps to rejuvenate the face by filling in deep creases and lines and by restoring volume to the cheek area.
While most other fillers provide results that are visible immediately, Sculptra works more gradually. Treatment requires a series of injections, spaced several weeks apart. The filler works by encouraging the body to produce collagen, a protein that helps to lift and firm the skin. Results from Sculptra can typically last for up to two years.
Belotero
Belotero is another filler made from hyaluronic acid, but it is different from Juvederm and Restylane. The injectable is thinner and finer than other options, making it a good pick for delicate areas of the face, such as around the mouth or near the eye area. Results typically last for about six months.
Can You Make Your Fillers Last Longer?
Although you can expect most fillers to last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the product, there is actually a lot of room for variation. Two people can get the same filler at the same time and have a different experience when it comes to their results.
Several factors, beyond the product that is used, can affect results. For example, your body’s metabolism can play a role. If you have a fast metabolism, you might notice that your results disappear more quickly.
How you handle the treated area can also affect the longevity of your results. If you put pressure on your face (such as by sleeping on your stomach) or constantly push on or touch the treated area, you might notice that the results fade more quickly than expected.
The location of the treatment also affects the results. Fillers in high-movement areas like the lips often wear off more quickly than fillers in the cheeks, for instance.
If you are interested in making your fillers last for as long as possible, your best option is to schedule maintenance treatments. You can get touch-ups of Juvederm, Belotero, or any other filler every so often to keep your face looking youthful and rejuvenated. You can talk to your facial plastic surgeon to find out when to schedule touch-up treatments.
Dr. Shervin Naderi is a facial plastic surgeon who specializes in injectable fillers and nasal surgery at his practice in Virginia. To learn more about the fillers he offers at his practice, call 703-481-0002 (Reston, VA Office) or 301-222-2020 (Chevy Chase, MD) to schedule a consultation. You can also contact us online for more information.
The post How Long Will Your Fillers Last? appeared first on Plastic Surgery | Chevy Chase, MD & Town Center, VA.