When it comes to reducing wrinkles and creating smoother, younger-looking skin, there’s only so much over-the-counter skin care products can do. That’s why some people turn to dermal fillers.
If you’re considering fillers, but want to know more about how long they’ll last, which one to choose, and any potential risks, this article can help answer those questions.
What do dermal facial fillers do?
As you get older, your skin begins to lose elasticity. The muscles and fat on your face start thinning, too. These changes can lead to the appearance of wrinkles and skin that’s not as smooth or full as it used to be.
Dermal fillers, or “wrinkle fillers” as they’re sometimes called, can help address these age-related issues by:
smoothing out lines
restoring lost volume
plumping up the skin
According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, dermal fillers consist of gel-like substances, such as hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid, that your doctor injects beneath the skin.
Dermal filler injections are considered a minimally invasive procedure that require minimal downtime.
How long do the results typically last?
Just like any other skincare procedure, individual results will vary.
“Some dermal fillers can last for 6 to 12 months, while other dermal fillers can last 2 to 5 years,” says Dr. Sapna Palep of Spring Street Dermatology.
The most commonly used dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a natural compound that aids in the production of collagen and elastin.
Consequently, it also gives your skin structure and plumpness, as well as a more hydrated look.
How Long Do Fillers in the Face Last?
The longevity of a dermal filler depends on several factors, including which filler is injected, the location on the body it is injected into, and the patient’s individual metabolism. Hyaluronic acid fillers tend to offer more immediate results, but they don’t usually last more than a year.
Some other fillers, like Sculptra and Bellafill, offer results that develop more gradually but last longer. We work with patients to select the best fillers for their cosmetic needs, and we often inject a combination of fillers for optimal results.
How Do Dermal Fillers Under the Eyes Work?
Sometimes the hollowness under the eyes is enough to create a shadowed effect or darkening under the eyes. This effect can become more pronounced as fat in the face begins to decline and the cheeks sink, creating even more under-eye hollowness.
Dermal fillers can be used to fill in under-eye hollows, eliminating any dark shadowing that depression may have been causing. They can also be used to smooth away under-eye bags.
Patients using dermal fillers under eyes usually have an injection on the cheeks as well as in the under-eye area so that the face remains in balance. Each patient’s situation is different, but deeper injections sometimes work well under the eyes, because a deeper injection lifts the tissues above it resulting in a more natural effect.
But over the last few months, Dr Gavin Chan has started to question how long dermal fillers actually last. This trailblazing enquiry began when he noticed patients who had tear trough dermal filler treatment a few years ago came back from follow up dermal filler treatments. Many of them came in worried that they had puffy bulges under their eyes, with some patients putting it down to the natural ageing process.
After seeing this pattern occurring a few times, Dr Gavin Chan decided to research why this was happening. He hypothesised that maybe there were dermal fillers still present that created the bulging eye bag appearance. To see if this was the case, he used hyaluronidase (a dermal filler dissolver) and almost miraculously the eye bulges disappeared.
While Dr Gavin Chan knew it could be dermal filler present (sometimes after 6, 7 or 8 years) he needed to have scientific proof. Some dermal filler brands estimate that fillers only last 6 to 12 months, so Dr Gavin Chan decided to refer his patients for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan to his colleague Dr Mobin Master (MBBS FRANZCR). Dr Mobin Master is qualified in both Radiology and Cosmetic Medicine and was the perfect Doctor to investigate these types of dermal filler issues. Dr Mobin Master explains, “I think MRI is an underused tool in Cosmetic Medicine. Using this tool enables us to see exactly where the dermal filler is present in the lips, cheeks and eye areas.”
How Long Do Dermal Filler Results Last?
If you’re interested in dermal fillers, you’re not alone – thousands of men and women are discovering how these anti-aging injections can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around the face and hands. Dermal fillers can even be used to add volume to key facial areas like the cheeks and lips. These anti-aging injections can easily be incorporated into any skincare regimen for smooth, hydrated, and younger-looking skin.
Dermal Filler Results
But when it comes down to it, how often will you have to undergo dermal filler cosmetic injections? How long do dermal filler results last?
The answer is that it depends on the type of dermal filler you’re using. Some dermal fillers can last for six to twelve months, while other dermal fillers can last up to five years.
Most dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a natural compound that aids in the production of collagen and elastin. Hyaluronic acid also helps skin absorb water, which helps it look brighter, more hydrated, and firmer. The thicker the hyaluronic acid gel, the more volume you can expect to see at the injection site. For example, dermal fillers for lip augmentation have thinner gels (to provide best results possible), while dermal fillers for cheek augmentation are naturally thicker and designed to last longer.
Dermal Filler Treatment in Atlanta
As a rule of them, here’s how long you can expect results to last for, depending on the type of brand you use:
Juvederm Ultra & UltraPlus – nine to twelve months
Juvederm Volbella – six to twelve months
Juvederm Voluma – one to two years
Sculptra – one to two years
At Skin Cancer Specialists, P.C. & Aesthetic Center, our dermatologists are skilled in delivering the most natural results with dermal fillers. To learn more about which dermal filler is the right one for you, schedule a consultation at Skin Cancer Specialists, P.C. & Aesthetic Center in Cartersville, GA today.
