If you want good skin, then you need to start with a good skincare routine. But, unfortunately, there comes a point when skincare creams and products will reach their full potential.
And this isn’t always when you are happy with the end result. If you want smooth and young looking skin with very little wrinkles, you might find yourself turning to plastic surgery. More specifically, dermal fillers.
Making the decision to have dermal fillers is no small task and you will likely find yourself with lots of questions before you choose to do this.
One of the most important questions likely being, ‘how long do dermal fillers last?’.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a deep look at dermal fillers in order to answer this question. So, to find this out (and lots more), keep on reading.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
First things first, let’s take a look at what dermal fillers are. Dermal fillers are a type of injectable filler that is most commonly used in the face and lips.
The filler itself is injected into the soft tissue at different depths, in order to add extra volume to the face, augment facial features and remove wrinkles.
These different uses combined, mean that dermal fillers can help restore a smoother look to the face.
Once upon a time, Botox was the primary way to prevent wrinkles from appearing on the surface of the face. But now, dermal fillers are just as popular.
This is mainly because the effects of dermal fillers last longer than the effects of Botox – even if the filler itself breaks down more quickly.
As you will expect from what we have just said, dermal fillers are temporary. There are lots of different types of fillers within the category of ‘dermal fillers’, and because of this, different fillers will last for different lengths of time.
One of the most common places to get dermal fillers is in the lips. This is primarily because it can make them appear more plump.
It is also common to get dermal fillers in the chin and also in the areas of the face most affected by wrinkles.
So, let’s take a look at how long dermal fillers last.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
Let’s answer the big question that you have been waiting to know the answer to: ‘how long do dermal fillers last?’.
Like we have said, the length of time that your dermal fillers will last will depend on the specific type of filler that you have injected. But, generally speaking, dermal fillers will last for anywhere between 6 and 18 months.
After the first 6 to 18 months, the filler itself will begin to break down (as it is supposed to). The rate at which it breaks down will differ depending on the type of filler that you have had injected.
The filler that you have had injected will also alter the time for which the effects of the filler will last.
With some fillers, the effects will still last even after the filler has begun to break down. This is something to bear in mind when considering which filler to get.
While the average time that dermal fillers last is 6-18 months, this can run a lot longer. In fact, some fillers can last anywhere between 2-5 years.
The length for which it will last, entirely depends on the specific filler your doctor has chosen. But is there anything else that can affect the longevity of your dermal fillers? Let’s take a look.
What Affects How Long Dermal Fillers Last?
As we have said, the primary thing that affects how long dermal fillers last is the type of filler that is used. Different fillers will be made using different ingredients, and these ingredients will have different shelf lives.
But, this isn’t the only thing that will impact how long your dermal fillers last. So, let’s take a look at some of the other factors that will impact this.
The other main factors that will impact how long your dermal fillers will last include how much filler you have injected, where that filler is injected and the speed at which your body metabolizes the filler.
Generally, the first two factors are true for everyone, but the speed at which your body breaks down the filler is totally unique to you.
Even though dermal fillers generally last between 6 and 18 months, they actually begin to break down within the first few months of being injected into your face.
In most cases, the degradation process is very slow, and because of this, you likely will not notice them breaking down for quite some time.
What Happens When Dermal Fillers Wear Off?
When it comes to dermal fillers, one of the major horror stories is what happens when dermal fillers wear off. This isn’t really a horror story, but a lot of people are so fearful of this that they continue to top off their dermal fillers as soon as they begin breaking down.
This act only adds to the unknown horror about what happens when dermal fillers wear off, so let’s take a look.
There is really nothing to worry about. In most cases, your face simply returns to the way that it was, prior to the filler injection.
So, your lips will return to their natural plumpness and your pre-treatment wrinkles will reappear. Fillers do not stop your face from aging, so you might find that you naturally have more prominent wrinkles than you did prior to treatment.
The main reason people have concerns about what their face will look like post-dermal filler is because this treatment will stretch the skin.
Fillers are injected to fill out the skin to give it a smoother appearance. To do this, they must stretch the skin slightly.
This tends to create fear in some people that their skin will appear saggy once their filler wear off. However, in most cases, this does not happen.
Instead, the skin will recover and revert to its natural state once the filler wears off. So, it is understandable that you might be concerned about this because there are some concerns surrounding bad dermal fillers.
Do Different Dermal Fillers Last Different Lengths?
Yes, as we have said, different dermal fillers do last different lengths. This is why it is so important that you take the proper consultation time with a doctor before beginning this treatment.
By doing this, you will be able to tell your doctor everything that you want from the fillers and they will advise you on what option is the best for you.
To help put this into perspective for you, here are some of the top brands of dermal fillers and their expected lifetime:
- Juvederm Voluma – Around 2 years if a top-up treatment is given after 1 year.
- Juvederm Vollure – Around 12-18 months on a single treatment.
- Juvederm Ultra/Ultra Plus – Up to 12 months if top up treatment is delivered between 6-9 months.
- Bellafill – Lasts up to 5 years on a single treatment.
- Radiesse – Around 1 year on a single treatment.
- Restylane Silk – Between 6 and 10 months on a single treatment.
This is just a handful of some of the most popular brands of dermal fillers on the market. To find which type of filler is best for you, do your own research and then speak to your doctor to get their opinions.
Dermal fillers aren’t a cheap treatment, so it is best to speak to your doctor to confirm that the treatment is worth your money before you proceed.
Summary
As you can see, dermal fillers are a very popular way to transform the way that your face looks both by creating fullness in areas, and reducing wrinkles.
These combined can make your face appear smoother and younger, which is something that many people desire.
Generally speaking, the majority of dermal fillers last between 6 and 18 months, with many requiring top-ups to prolong the effects of the filler.
There are also some dermal fillers that can last up to 5 years. So, it is best to consult with your doctor to find out which brand is the right one for you.