DermEffects: Dr. Wei Jing Loo
1560 Hyde Park Road
London, ON N6H 5L5
Medical Inquiries: (519) 472-2929
Cosmetic Inquiries: (519) 472-8686
Fax: (519) 472-8484
Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last? A Comprehensive Guide

Woman with clear skin (model) holding hands up to her face.

Dermal fillers are a popular treatment option, whether you want to enhance your facial features or combat signs of aging. When injected by an expert, they can create attractive contours, restore youthful volume, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles and lines. If you’re considering getting filler injections, knowing how long the results should last is helpful.

In this blog post, we’ll answer the question “How long do fillers last in different areas of the face.” But first, we’ll look at factors that can affect the duration of the results.

What Affects the Longevity of Fillers?

Besides the specific treatment area, the type of filler used affects how long your results last. The most common fillers, such as JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, and TEOSYAL® products, are made with hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance naturally found in the body that retains moisture. Specialized fillers within these product lines designed to treat specific concerns may also last longer or shorter than others.

These volumizing fillers differ from another category of fillers called biostimulators, which trigger collagen production for longer-lasting results. Only HA fillers, however, can be reversed if a patient isn’t satisfied with the results. You can read this previous blog post to learn more about fillers.

In addition to the type of filler used, various factors affect how long your dermal fillers will last, including:

  • The injector’s experience and expertise: A skilled injector can affect the filler’s durability and aesthetic results.
  • Skin quality: The thickness and elasticity of your skin, along with your age, play a role in how long your results last.
  • Metabolism: People with higher metabolisms break down fillers faster. Frequent high-intensity workouts can also cause fillers to break down more quickly.
  • Lifestyle and skincare routine: Smoking, sun exposure, and poor skin care accelerate the breakdown of fillers. A healthy lifestyle and proper skin care using medical-grade products can help prolong their effects.

How Long Fillers Last in Different Areas

Fillers are effective in many areas of the face. In the upper face, fillers can be used in the tear troughs—the deep grooves and dark circles under the eyes. Fillers often add volume to the cheeks and cheekbones to improve the appearance of lower wrinkles and restore the youthful appearance of the cheeks. When placed in the thin and deeper wrinkles of the lower face and around the mouth and jowls, fillers create more fullness and reduce the appearance of sagging and aging.

For younger patients who want to enhance their appearance, fillers can contour the cheeks, jawline, and nose and add volume to the lips.

Here’s a look at how long fillers typically last in different areas:

Tear Troughs

Fillers in this region typically last between 6 to 12 months.

Cheeks

Using a hyaluronic acid filler such as JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® creates results that can last 12 months. Patients can seamlessly maintain the results by scheduling touch-up treatments once per year.

Smile Lines (Nasolabial Folds)

Smile lines, also known as nasolabial folds, are the creases that extend from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth. Dermal fillers in this area typically last from 6 to 12 months with touch-up treatments. The exact duration can vary based on the filler type and the specific characteristics of your skin.

Lips

Lip fillers are among the most popular in our practice and elsewhere in Canada and the US. According to the American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), injectors performed more than 1.3 million lip augmentation procedures in 2022. Lip augmentation with fillers usually lasts between 6 to 12 months. Lip fillers tend to metabolize faster because the lips are highly mobile, and the filler breaks down more quickly.

Marionette Lines

These lines extend from the corners of the mouth down to the jawline. Dermal fillers in this area typically last 6 to 18 months, similar to smile lines. Again, the longevity of the results depends on the type of filler and individual factors.

Temples

Hollow temples are a sign of aging that is often overlooked. Filler injections restore volume and can last anywhere from 12 to 24 months. The extended duration is because the temple area experiences less movement, so the filler degrades more slowly.

As a proud winner of a Consumer Choice Award, our team understands the versatility of dermal fillers and how they are an effective and quick way to add volume to your face or contour your features. If you want to rejuvenate your face with fillers, request a consultation or call us at  (519) 472-2929  to schedule an appointment.

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