As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen, which can radically alter one’s face. Cheekbones drop lower, the skin begins to crease and sag, whilst the lips flatten and shrink. For many, lip fillers can help to turn back the clock, as they soften and plump up the lips to create a youthful smile. But how long do these results last for, and what can we do to maintain them for as long as possible? 

The Types of Lip Filler

The Type of lip filler that is injected during the procedure can influence the longevity of the results. There are several different types of lip filler that can be used during a lip augmentation treatment, such as: 

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is the most popular type of lip filler that is used today, and the results that it produces depend on the brand of the substance that is used. Most brands (such as Restylane and Juvaderm) produce results which last for approximately six months. However, some brands of hyaluronic acid can produce results which last longer, such as Volbella, which can last for a year, or Vollure, which can produce results for up to eighteen months. 

Calcium Hydroxyapatite

Calcium hydroxyapatite is a different type of lip filler which is often referred to under its brand name, Radiesse. This filler consists of a mineral-like compound which exists naturally in our teeth and bones. It can plump and define the lips for a maximum of eighteen months. 

Poly-L-lactic Acid

Poly-L-lactic acid is a lip filler that is made from man-made materials. This type of filler is used over the course of several separate appointments, which take place every few months. Once the course of treatments is over, the results will last for roughly two years.

Polymethylmethacrylate Beads

Finally, some lip fillers are made from polymethylmethacrylate beads. These beads are made from plastic, which means that they cannot be broken down and absorbed by the body. Consequently, this type of filler produces semi-permanent results. 

How Long Does Lip Filler Last For?

Over time, the body breaks down and absorbs lip fillers, causing the results of the treatment to fade. This typically takes between six to twelve months to occur. To prevent your lips from shrinking back to their original size, patients must have their lips topped up every six months to a year.

How long does 1ml lip filler last?

The effects of a lip filler treatment are determined by the amount of filler that is used. Roughly speaking, higher volumes of filler produce bigger lips which last longer than when a smaller volume of filler is injected. This is because it takes the body longer to break down and absorb a large amount of filler than a small amount of filler. 1ml is a relatively small volume of filler, and it will typically produce results that last for six months. 

Factors that Affect the Longevity of the Results

In addition to the amount of filler that is injected, there are various other factors that can affect the lifespan of your augmented lips, such as: 

   1. Hydration

If you have had hyaluronic acid injected into your lips, it is important to drink a healthy amount of fluids. This filler volumizes and defines the lips by binding to water, which means that the effects will last longer if stay hydrated. 

   2. Stress

When you’re stressed, your body releases extra hormones, and these can quicken the rate at which the body breaks down and absorbs the lip filler. Although stress is an inevitable part of life and difficult to avoid, try to avoid activities that might trigger feelings of anxiety. Additionally, consider reducing stress through mindfulness, yoga, or gentle exercise. 

   3. Skin Care: 

Moisturizing and caring for your skin can help to maintain the effects of a lip filler treatment. Try to establish a skincare routine that you can repeat every morning and evening. 

   4. Excessive Sun Exposure

Ultraviolet (UV) light causes damage to your skin and can quicken the disappearance of augmented lips. Try to minimize your exposure to UV by limiting the time that you spend in bright sunlight, and by wearing protective sun creams when you are exposed. 

   5. Regular Treatments

The most effective way to maintain the results of a lip filler treatment is to have regular, ‘top-up’ treatments every six to twelve months. 

Do Lip Fillers Last Longer the Second Time?

No, lip fillers do not last longer after a second treatment. Every subsequent lip filler treatment will produce results that last approximately as long as they did following the first treatment. 

What Makes Lip Fillers Dissolve Faster?

As we mentioned earlier, stress and excessive sun exposure can accelerate the rate at which your fillers fade away. You can also slow down the rate at which your fillers dissolve by avoiding strenuous exercise in the first few weeks following the treatment, as rigorous activity increases your metabolism, which, in turn, quickens the pace at which your fillers are broken down. 

If you are dissatisfied with your augmented lips and want them to dissolve quickly, you can arrange to have your fillers dissolved at the clinic. In these cases, a specialist injects hyaluronidase into the volumized lips. Hyaluronidase is a natural substance, that your body produces to break down the fillers. By injecting additional hyaluronidase into the lips, the fillers can be dissolved quickly. Following the hyaluronidase injections, It typically takes three to four days for the lips to return to their normal size. 

Ultimately, the type of lip filler that you choose, as well as the amount of filler that is injected, will have the greatest impact on how long the effects of the treatment last. Altering one’s lifestyle (by minimizing stress, for example, or avoiding the sun) can increase the longevity of the results for a short time, but the fillers will eventually dissolve. The only way to maintain the results of the treatment indefinitely is to have a standing appointment, so that the fillers can be regularly topped up, allowing you to keep your volumized lips for as long as you wish. 

About the Author

Dr Suhail Alam

Dr Alam is devoted to providing high quality, holistic, patient centred care designed to make patients look and feel their best. He has a specialist interest in Hair Restoration Surgery and Regenerative Medicine.

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