Your filler fund has reached its goal, you’ve picked out the best injector near you, and now you’re finally ready to hit the treatment chair and bring your dream version of yourself to life. But there’s one question you still need answered (the very question that probably brought you to this blog post!): How long can I expect my dermal filler results to last?
Our injectors have the answer! Read on to learn everything you need to know about your filler timeline, from what affects your look’s longevity to how often you can expect to be back for touch-ups.
How Long Will My Dermal Filler Results Last?
Filler results can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the product. Here’s a quick look at how long you can generally expect your results to last. Keep in mind every person’s experience is unique—more on that later.
| Filler | Approximate Results Timeline |
| JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC & JUVÉDERM® Ultra Plus XC | 12 months |
| JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC | 12 months |
| JUVÉDERM VOLLURE ® XC | 12 to 18 months |
| JUVÉDERM VOLUMA XC® | 24 months |
| Restylane® Refyne & Restylane® Defyne | 12 months |
| Restylane-L® | 5 to 7 months |
| Radiesse® | 12 months |
| Sculptra® Aesthetic | 24+ months |
Not sure which formulation is right for you? Take our quiz!
Why Do Dermal Fillers Wear Off Over Time?
When your volume starts to gradually fade, it’s because your body is metabolizing the filler’s hyaluronic acid (HA) and harmlessly reabsorbing the water content. With non-HA fillers like Sculptra® Aesthetic, your body’s boosted production of collagen is slowing down, and you’re no longer producing extra volume.
In both cases, the process happens gradually over the course of several months. You won’t be left with juicy lips one day and a pencil-thin pout the next. You also won’t lose any natural volume you had initially, so you won’t have to worry about your features looking thinner or flatter than they were before.
What Affects the Longevity of Dermal Fillers?
Three main factors affect how long your fillers last:
- Your metabolism: The faster your body metabolizes things, the quicker your fillers will dissolve.
- Your filler formulation and volume: As mentioned above, different fillers have different expected lifespans. The more viscous the filler, the longer it will take for your body to break it down.
- Your treated area: Fillers dissolve faster in areas with lots of movement. For example, the fillers in your lips will probably fade more quickly than the fillers in your tear troughs.
How To Make Filler Results Last Longer
There’s not much you can do to extend your filler results other than following up with maintenance treatments. Our metabolism and natural facial movements aren’t exactly in our control.
You can, however, follow your injector’s recommendations for which fillers to use in which areas. Softer fillers such as VOLBELLA® are flexible enough to move with your lips, whereas firmer fillers such as VOLUMA® hold a bone structure-like shape even as they start to break down. This will give you a bit more mileage out of your results. (But mostly, it’ll buy you some time to schedule your next touch-up!)
My Fillers Haven’t Fully Faded Yet. Can I Still Get a Touch-Up?
Yes! You don’t have to wait for them to wear off—you can always add volume. That’s one of the reasons we recommend erring on the subtle side if you’re new to fillers.
It’s not uncommon for people to get maintenance treatments about halfway through their fillers’ lifespan when they notice a decline in volume. For most people, this adds up to about 2 treatments a year.
Do I Have To Wait for My Fillers To Dissolve, or Can I Have Them Reversed?
You can have your HA fillers (JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®) dissolved at any time with an injection of an enzyme called hyaluronidase. It works within just days, and injectors should always have it on hand in the rare case you experience a complication and need your fillers gone stat. Hyaluronidase hit the spotlight in 2018 when Kylie Jenner spoke up about having her lip fillers dissolved in favor of a subtler look.
You can’t have Sculptra® dissolved, but it’s rare for people to have a sudden change of heart after these injections. It takes several sessions for most people to build up their ideal results, so it’s easy to stop before you overdo it and feel the need to hit rewind.
Of course, our injectors go above and beyond to prevent any post-injection regrets by talking with you in-depth about your goals, walking you through each step of the process, and making sure you leave our office feeling amazing about the way you look.
Let’s Get Started
Want to learn more about dermal filler timelines? Get in touch by calling (916) 844-4913 or requesting a consultation online. Our experienced dermal filler specialists are happy to meet with you at our El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Folsom, Roseville, and Sacramento, CA, locations.
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