What Are Dermal Fillers?
Injectable dermal fillers lift the soft tissues of the face and tighten the epidermal layer for a natural facelift without surgery. These treatments have evolved a long way from the collagen replacement treatments of the past. One of the most important considerations many people have when choosing this treatment is how long the effects will last. While there are many variables involved in answering this question, our talented team at Athena Plastic Surgery in Stuart, FL are experts at formulating a treatment program that will get you the longest-lasting results possible.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
At one time, collagen replacement treatments were one of the only dermal filler options available, and they were relatively short-lived. Today, there are a variety of ingredients used in contemporary fillers that allow them to last much longer than ever before. These new filler options include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, and poly-L-lactic acid.
Everyone’s body tolerates and metabolizes dermal fillers differently, so it is difficult to say precisely how long each will last. However, a variety of factors can influence your treatment’s longevity, such as lifestyle, injection volume, location of treatment, and the experience levels of the medical professional administering treatment. Some dermal fillers have been shown to last up to two years, and getting regular touch-ups can further enhance your results.
How Dermal Fillers Work
There are several types of dermal fillers, and they come in different consistencies. Thicker fillers are injected into the deeper layers of the skin, where they hold fast and resist migration to other areas of the face. Thinner fillers are injected in more fragile areas of the face, such as the lips. The goal of dermal fillers is to improve the appearance of facial contours by augmenting lost collagen.
The process is proven safe, and often completed in less than an hour. There is minimal downtime and most people can resume normal activities immediately. There are several types of dermal fillers.
Longevity of Dermal Fillers Offered at Athena Plastic Surgery
Radiesse
Radiesse is a calcium hydroxyapatite-based filler that is FDA approved to treat moderate to severe wrinkles and folds in the face, including the nasolabial folds (the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth). This product is biocompatible and is offered with or without lidocaine, an anesthetic to help minimize any discomfort. With proper maintenance, your Radiesse treatment will last up to a year or longer.
Juvederm
Juvederm products use hyaluronic acid, a humectant that attracts and holds water in the skin. The formulas in each product target a different area of the face and have been proven to lift soft tissues and enhance facial contouring. They are specifically created to counter common problem areas around the eyes, cheeks, nose, lips, and chin. Since hyaluronic acid is naturally by the body, these products are generally well-tolerated.
Juvederm Voluma
Voluma product is a thicker formulation than its counterparts, so it resists migrating to surrounding areas and stays in place longer. This thickness also gives it longevity, having been shown to last up to two years. It is used in the mid-face area, including the cheeks, nose, and nasolabial folds (the skin from the side of the nose to the mouth).
Because it is a thick, viscous gel, it is injected more deeply than other fillers. This reduces the chances of over-correcting, as the gel stays in place and tends not to migrate. The added volume to the skin remains longer and saves money, as fewer office visits are needed.
Juvederm XC
This product is designed to smooth and plump high-mobility areas near the mouth and nose. It instantly augments moderate to severe facial lines and wrinkles for noticeable results right away. Research shows this product will remain in place for up to a year.
Belotero
Like Juvederm, Belotero is a hyaluronic acid-based product. As we age, we produce less and less of the hyaluronic acid on our own. Add that to the UV exposure and environmental damage we accumulate over time, and that plump, hydrated appearance we once enjoyed essentially disappears. Belotero restores elasticity in lip lines, marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and corners of the mouth.
Restylane
Restylane is another hyaluronic acid product that lifts and supports underlying facial tissues by hydrating and volumizing contours. Results are immediately noticeable as hyaluronic acid instantly plumps the skin for restored elasticity and flexibility. The Restylane family of products are among some of the longest-lasting products, ranging from six to 18 months.
Sculptra
This product may not give the immediate results shown by its counterparts, but Sculptra has been proven to last for two years or even longer. It is an injectable poly-L-lactic acid product and works by stimulating collagen production over time, gradually replacing lost collagen and correcting sunken, hollow areas in the face. It lifts and fills nasolabial folds and facial contours over a period of several treatments for a more global return to supple, elastic skin.
Factors Affecting the Duration of Your Results
Regular touch-up or maintenance treatments can help maintain the restored volume achieved with dermal fillers. However, it is important to note that several factors can affect the duration of results, including the severity of collagen loss, the patient’s lifestyle, the location of treatment, injection volume, skin damage, and experience of the administering professional.
Severity of Collagen Loss
Those who have deep, sunken hollows or severely sagging skin may need more product to achieve the desired results. This may require more office visits and likely more maintenance treatments, but you are still likely to see dramatic results. Dr. Lipschitz and his team are experts at recommending combination treatments and skin care techniques that will help you get the most from your treatment.
Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle choices can challenge your treatment, shortening its longevity. High stress levels cause hormonal changes that can affect the condition of your skin. In addition, smoking and excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure (such as tanning beds or too much sun) can speed the aging process. Taking special care of your skin and general health will ultimately maximize your treatment results.
Location of Treatment
The mouth and lips are marked by continuous activity as they sustain frequent stretching and folding of the skin. High-mobility areas such as these cause injectable products to break down and get metabolized more quickly. More static areas (like the nose) will maintain results longer because they experience less muscle movement. This is why companion products target different areas of the face.
Injection Volume
Much like how treatment location makes a difference in the way product is broken down in the tissues, injection volume affects this as well. The more product injected into the skin, the more it will resist breaking down. Conversely, the less product injected, the more quickly it will get metabolized. Our talented medical staff can formulate an individualized treatment plan that will optimize the amount of product needed for your desired results.
Skin Damage
It stands to reason that damaged or more mature skin may take more treatments to achieve optimal results. It is important to take extra special care of your skin in the weeks prior to your treatment. The more damaged your skin, the less quickly it will rebound, so it is imperative that you have your skin in its most pristine condition possible. Avoiding damaging activities such as bleaching, waxing, and tanning will help your treatment results last longer.
Professional Experience
The quality of how a treatment is administered plays almost as big a role as the treatment itself. For the longest-lasting results, it is important that you find a qualified professional with substantial training and experience in administering injectable dermal fillers. Our doctors at Athena Plastic Surgery take great pride in delivering the highest quality patient care possible.
Things You Can Do to Prolong Your Results
Regular Maintenance
Regular touch-ups will extend your results and condition your skin to more effectively respond to the treatment. Some research shows that long-term use actually creates permanent beneficial changes to the skin and stimulates its own natural collagen production. Therefore, it makes sense that the more product your skin receives, the longer its effects will last.
Wear Sunscreen
Avoiding UV light and its detrimental effects on the skin is essential to getting the most from your treatment. Radiation exposure undermines the benefits of dermal fillers. It can shorten the longevity of your treatment and cause your skin to age more quickly. Extend your treatment results by protecting your skin as much as possible from harsh outdoor elements sun exposure.
Minimize Stress
Stress releases chemicals, such as cortisol, which accelerate the aging process. This results in increased age spots, lines, and wrinkles on the skin. Working toward introducing more stress-relieving activities into your life (such as exercise and relaxing hobbies) and prioritizing getting the right amount of sleep will help your skin recover more quickly from damage.
Prioritize Your Skincare
Skincare isn’t just about what you put on your skin – it’s also about what you put in it. Developing a consistent skincare routine will mean that you don’t detract from the effects of your treatment, but rather give it the support it needs. Making sure that the skin receives the nutrients and hydration it needs is a necessary component of any treatment plan. Dr. Lipschitz can make recommendations for products and companion treatments that will maximize your results.
Prioritize Your Health
Just as important as taking good care of your skin is taking good care of your general health. Eating nutritious meals, getting rest, and managing your work-life balance will keep stress hormones in check and give your body the resiliency it needs. In addition, avoiding alcohol and regulating your blood pressure is not only good for your body, but it also helps minimize any irritation, swelling, or redness you may experience from injectable filler treatments.
Dermal Fillers Have Proven Results
Injectable fillers have been proven effective over years of research. Cosmetic professionals continue to rank them at the top of their recommendation lists. Due to their track record of long-lasting results with low risk and minimal downtime, they remain a popular and safe alternative to cosmetic surgery.
Long-Term Benefits
Collagen treatments of the past typically only lasted three to six months. Newer technologies allow dermal fillers to resist breaking down in the body, giving them longer-lasting effects. In addition, research shows that consistent use of these products can actually stimulate the body’s own collagen production and make permanent positive changes to the skin.
Non-Intrusive
Injectable fillers are generally well-tolerated, and the needles used are very fine and highly accurate over a small surface area. These qualities make this treatment non-invasive, despite being injectables. Treatments require little to no downtime, and most patients can resume normal daily activities immediately.
Call Us Today
Don’t let aging skin be a source of discomfort and self-consciousness. Restore your confidence and turn back the clock on your skin with injectable dermal filler treatments. You are just a phone call away from younger-looking, more vibrant skin. Contact Dr. Lipschitz and his qualified team at Athena Plastic Surgery in Stuart, FL to schedule your consultation today.
