Lip fillers are a popular way to add volume and definition to the lips. Injectable fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, are commonly used to restore volume and create a fuller, more youthful appearance. But how long do lip fillers last?The answer depends on the type of filler used and where it is placed on the body. Most fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a natural compound that helps the production of collagen and elastin.
Fillers that use hyaluronic acid can last from three months to more than two years, according to Dr. Sapna Palep of Spring Street Dermatology. Lip fillers begin to degrade during the first few months after the injection. But fillers have the ability to absorb water, making visible results stay the same for about 6 months.
Lip fillers last from 6 months to a year, depending on the type of filler used. Fillers will need to be retouched to maintain results for a longer period of time. For lines and wrinkles closer to the skin, the doctor may choose a thinner product to fill the contour and soften the skin. These products can be metabolized more quickly and will last 6 to 12 months. In areas of the face with more movement, such as the lips, for example, the constant movement of the muscles breaks down and dissolves the filler at a faster rate, and fillers tend to disappear faster in these more active areas. Juvederm Volbella is commonly used to add subtle volume to the lips and will generally last 6 to 8 months. Additional injections may be continued to maintain their appearance based on the advice of the professional administering the injections.
Non-invasive procedures, such as fillers, are attractive because they are quick and have minimal downtime. Lips are generally the exception, as fibrotic tissue is prone to build up during sequential lip filler treatments. The doctor may use a needle to inject small amounts of anesthetic into the mouth to numb the upper and lower lips. Excessive UV exposure can cause certain types of fillers to break down more quickly, causing your body to absorb them sooner than you'd like. Despite the availability of many lip augmentation methods, hyaluronic acid lip fillers are still the most popular method, as they are effective and soluble with bioengineered hyaluronidase if the final results are not desired. Even so, that doesn't mean that the lip filler (or the filler in any other high-motion area) suddenly or drastically fades. Researchers seek to someday create a filling that is not only soluble, safe and natural, but also requires a return maintenance visit each season. Dermal fillers won't give you a permanent volume pout; instead, you can expect results to last between 3 and 12 months.
Deep fillers can be used to contour the face, creating a more defined jawline, chin, or cheekbone to provide more structure and improve the shape of the face. A surgical lip lift shortens the distance between the upper lip and nose to turn the upper lip outward, creating the illusion of increased lip volume. This means that injectable fillers will slowly fade over time, usually after no more than a year for most people. The skin of the mouth and lips will return to its normal appearance without sagging or stretching. Most lip fillers used today are made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural sugar molecule that attracts water. Ultimately, it's important to remember that dermal fillers only provide temporary transformation and that there is no quick-fix solution to make lip injections last longer.
