Cosmetic injectables such as dermal fillers and BOTOX® are often our patients’ first experience with aesthetic treatments. They arrive at our med spa in Lexington or Louisville, KY, with several questions. One of the most common is how long they can expect dermal fillers to last.
This is a great question, but it’s one that doesn’t have a single answer. That’s because the duration of the results depends on the type of filler used, the treatment area, and many other factors.
What Are the Benefits of Fillers?
Youthful faces have a cherubic appearance. As we age, however, we gradually lose volume, creating a sunken, hollowed-out look. Wrinkles and other lines develop with the deterioration of fat and bone density. Targeted injections of dermal fillers restore volume, smoothing wrinkles and folds that can make you appear older than you are.
Besides these anti-aging benefits, fillers can also create attractive contours and fuller lips, and fillers can even be used for nonsurgical rhinoplasty.
Different Types of Fillers
The number and types of fillers continue to expand as research leads to products formulated specifically for certain treatment areas. Several years ago, for example, JUVÉDERM® produced a workhorse filler that injectors used for multiple areas. Now, JUVÉDERM has a menu of fillers that target specific needs. The same is true of Restylane® and other manufacturers.
The benchmark for how long fillers last is set when the FDA approves a specific product. Our expert injectors use these guidelines, along with their experience, to create customized treatment plans for our patients.
The active ingredient in most fillers is hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance that is found naturally in the skin. JUVÉDERM and Restylane products, along with BELOTERO BALANCE®, are examples of HA fillers. Hyaluronic acid is also used in the RHA collection of dermal fillers, but the formulation is unique because the fillers adapt to the changing expressions of your face.
Most JUVÉDERM and Restylane fillers last 6 to 12 months. Products such as JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® and Restylane Lyft®, however, often continue producing results for up to 2 years. They are used to restore volume in the area of the cheeks and are injected deeper into the skin than other fillers.
Other Types of Fillers
When considering how long fillers last, it’s important to know that some fillers continue producing results even after the duration of the filler itself. The reason? Certain fillers stimulate the production of collagen in the treatment area, meaning the results outlive the product.
These fillers include Radiesse® and Sculptra® Aesthetic.
Instead of hyaluronic acid, Radiesse uses calcium hydroxylapatite spheres suspended in a gel carrier to stimulate collagen production. This collagen production can improve the appearance of deep nasolabial folds, sunken cheeks, and bony hands.
Sculptra also stimulates the natural production of collagen using a substance called poly-L-lactic acid. The results emerge more gradually than the almost-immediate outcomes produced by HA fillers, but they tend to last 2 years or more.
Getting the Most Out of Fillers
As with any aesthetic treatment, the skill and experience of the provider is the most important factor for getting the desired results. Patients considering dermal fillers at our Lexington or Louisville, KY, or Floyd’s Knob, IN, med spa locations choose CaloSpa® because we consistently exceed expectations with the quality of the results. That’s one of the reasons the readers of LEO Weekly chose CaloSpa as one of the best day spas of 2021. To request a consultation, use the online form or call our Lexington location at (859) 269-2256.
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