Our award-winning aesthetics expert, Amish Patel, answers a few popular questions about dermal filler treatments, including how long dermal filler injections last and whether the types of filler used make a difference.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are the only facial fillers we use at the clinic. We only use popular brands with the best safety records. Not only are our choice of dermal filler brands the most biocompatible for the client, but they are also the easiest to dissolve, should clients wish to change their look in the future. All face fillers are a gel-like substance that fills lost volume in the facial anatomy, helping to boost collagen production and tackle areas such as hollowing tear troughs, deepening nasolabial folds and dynamic wrinkles across the face.
Hyaluronic acid gels are one of the more popular dermal filler choices for aesthetic treatments. Still, there are other types of facial fillers on the market, some of which have a longer lifespan.
Hyaluronic acid fillers last between six and twelve months, depending on the client and the area injected. Fillers with a longer lifespan of two to five years include poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers and PMMA, or polymethyl methacrylate. However, the latter cannot be easily dissolved, so it’s a matter of waiting until the filler has worn off, which can depend on each individual client’s lifestyle factors.
This varies from client to client and the area of the face injected, but as a general rule of thumb, you might be looking for a top-up every 6 – 12 months. I usually ask clients to contact me when they feel they see a change in their injectable treatment so we can book a person-to-person consultation and review whether they would like to reinstate their dermal fillers.
Yes. Once you stop having cosmetic procedures, the results will reduce and leave your face as it would have looked before ever having had fillers. Having said that, if you have been having a lot of filler, for example, in the cheeks and lips over a long period of time, there is a chance that the skin will not reduce back to your ‘natural’ state, which is why you should always adopt a more natural look and not follow facial trends which change over time. You also need to consider what looked good in your twenties would not suit a more mature face, so these are careful considerations when having invasive procedures.
This is an important topic, as there are other factors to consider. Firstly, the client’s realistic expectations, the individual’s lifestyle and even genetics. Some clients have faster metabolisms, which can affect the longevity of the results, as can excessive sun exposure, poor diet, age and smoking or vaping. It’s also essential to consider how active the area of the face is with facial expressions, as this will also impact the duration of results, with less movement, meaning longer-lasting results.
Your aftercare is also essential, so avoiding strenuous activities immediately after treatment and avoiding steamy environments and steam rooms are also recommended to avoid breaking down the filler, so follow your qualified practitioner’s post-treatment advice carefully.
One of the most common dermal filler procedures we see at the clinic, hyaluronic acid-based fillers in this area last between twelve to eighteen months. Keeping the skin hydrated by incorporating a professional skincare routine, drinking plenty of water and avoiding extended sun exposure can increase the length of time. Cheek fillers add volume, which instantly reinstates a more youthful appearance and, in some more mature cases, can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles across the cheeks.
Lip fillers can last between six and nine months and are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures at our flagship Kent clinic, with clients wanting natural-looking results in this area. As we age, our lip volume naturally reduces, so choosing lip fillers allows us to increase facial volume but should be considered as part of a broader approach to rejuvenating the whole face. This area is one of the most sensitive, so we use numbing creams ahead of this non-surgical cosmetic treatment to help the client feel more comfortable. We recommend using ice packs after treatment to control any bruising or swelling.
Jawline fillers can last between nine and twelve months; you can read more about them in our blog post, How To Get Rid Of Jowls With Fillers. Jawline fillers can give you a more snatched jawline, and by carefully injecting botulinum toxin into the jawline, we can further improve a sagging jawline. Facial volume loss from the mid-face can impact the contour of the jawline, so we often will look to combine cheek filler simultaneously to improve results.
Chin hyaluronic acid dermal fillers tend to last a long time, between nine and twelve months and are thicker fillers, which increases the filler’s lifespan. These filler options also give the skin structure, improve skin elasticity, and are great wrinkle fillers for ageing chins. A subtle improvement in this area with chin fillers can also benefit more mature clients with bone recess and volume loss.
Under-eye fillers, otherwise known as tear-through fillers, can last between nine and twelve months and are a quick refresh for dark shadowing under the eye caused by the natural ageing process. An experienced aesthetic practitioner should only undertake this treatment to ensure you are a suitable candidate for this particular cosmetic enhancement.
This is one of the more high-risk areas for injecting due to the complex network of blood vessels. So, it’s imperative you choose a medical professional with expertise and knowledge in this area. Injectable fillers for this area are a different consistency to, say, lip filler material and are of a thicker consistency. Nose fillers can last anywhere between 9 months to two years, but with some clients, we have seen up to five years.
If you are considering having dermal fillers, choose an experienced professional. Problems such as lumps, bumps, andasymmetry can be avoided by choosing a medical practitioner with experience and expertise.