Face fillers are injected into the skin to smooth wrinkles and add volume. This treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that is temporary and reversible.
Most fillers are hyaluronic acid-based and will gradually fade with time, allowing you to decide if you’d like to continue treatments. But some patients prefer permanent fillers, especially if they have significant facial volume loss and want more dramatic results.
Is there a permanent face filler?
Whether there is a permanent face filler is a question that many of my patients ask. Usually, my answer is no.
But some people do need permanent fillers for the long term to help restore volume loss or address skin divots, such as pockmarks. These can be difficult to remove with surgery or steroid injections.
Another concern is the risk of developing granulomas, which are hard lumps that may develop at the injection site. This can happen if the permanent filler is injected into an artery that supplies a part of your face or eye.
For those looking for a long-lasting solution to facial wrinkles, I often recommend semi-permanent fillers, such as poly-L-lactic acid or poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA), which last longer than temporary fillers, like hyaluronic acid. These fillers are FDA-approved and safe to use. They are also effective in treating deeper nasolabial folds, correcting laugh lines, and augmenting thin lips. Depending on the area treated, you can expect these fillers to last anywhere from 12 months to 5 years or more.
What happens when fillers wear off?
Dermal fillers can be a great option for patients who want to address their facial aesthetic needs. They can reduce wrinkles and fine lines, as well as increase the volume of aging skin to make it more youthful.
Some fillers are also designed to increase the body’s production of collagen, which can have a positive effect on your appearance long after the filler has faded away. This is because they can improve your skin’s elasticity and hydration, as well as reduce wrinkles and other signs of age.
However, many patients are worried that they will be left with sagging skin after receiving fillers. This is usually not an issue, as most dermal fillers do not stretch the skin out or cause it to sag, but rather, as the filler starts to fade away, the skin recovers and returns to its original state.
Some patients have also been concerned that they might experience granulomas from their filler. This is not the case with good quality hyaluronic acid fillers, which are virtually devoid of this side effect.
How long do fillers last?
How long your facial filler lasts depends on several factors, including the type of filler, its formulation, and how quickly your body metabolizes it. But, if you follow the recommendations of your provider and take good care of yourself, you can expect your results to last a few years.
The most common types of face fillers are hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, which are made from a biodegradable gel. These products typically last from 6 to 18 months, depending on the area treated and your body’s metabolism speed.
Other fillers are synthetic substances, which are not absorbed by the body. They include poly-L-lactic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite, which are FDA approved.
Hyaluronic acid and poly-L-lactic acid can be used for a variety of purposes, but they are commonly used to smooth out smile lines and plump thin lips. The polylactic acid filler Sculptra can also boost the appearance of deep facial wrinkles, and results can last 2 years or more.
What are the risks of fillers?
Dermal fillers are used to smooth wrinkles and restore volume to sagging skin. They are an effective and popular way to improve your appearance.
However, there are risks with fillers and you should be aware of them before you decide to have them injected into your face. These can range from mild and common to rare but serious.
A filler is a gel or liquid that is injected under the skin using a syringe. This breaks the skin's barrier and allows the filler to reach the deeper layers of your skin.
Risks include bruising and infection. To minimise this, the treatment should be carried out in a clinically clean environment with sterile products.
Another risk is that the filler may be injected into your blood vessels instead of under your skin, which can block the flow of blood and cause damage to your tissues.
To reduce this risk, make sure you choose an experienced practitioner or doctor who understands facial anatomy and can be trusted to inject in the right area. They will also be able to give you advice on how to avoid bruising after your treatment.
