Injectable treatments continually dominate the list of the most popular nonsurgical aesthetic procedures. It’s easy to understand why: Both neuromodulators (e.g., BOTOX and Dysport) and dermal fillers (e.g., JUVÉDERM and Restylane) contribute to smooth skin and a vibrant, youthful appearance.
These treatments can work so successfully together that they’re often referred to as a “liquid facelift” for the amazing nonsurgical transformations they can achieve. Despite their age-defying prowess, however, injectables can only provide temporary results—though these can be maintained with regular follow-up treatments.
If you’ve ever wondered how long BOTOX and fillers last, this guide to the longevity of injectable treatments has you covered.
Neuromodulators
This type of injectable treatment interrupts the nerve signal to the muscle, preventing it from contracting. As the muscle softens and relaxes, dynamic wrinkles (lines resulting from facial expressions) will smooth and fade for a more serene, youthful, and rested appearance.
BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport®, & Daxxify®
Before & After Photos
BOTOX Gummy Smile
Two of the most popular neuromodulators are BOTOX and Dysport. As we cover in a related blog post, these injectables share many of the same properties but differ in a couple of ways:
- Potency: BOTOX is 3x more concentrated than Dysport, meaning that fewer units are needed for treatment.
- Diffusion: Dysport spreads more readily, making it ideal for treating larger areas, such as the forehead.
- Time to Results: Given the faster diffusion of Dysport, results can be seen as soon as 2-3 days after the injection, while BOTOX takes 7 to 10 days for full effect.
When it comes to how long the results last, a few factors need to be considered. Dysport is designed to smooth forehead wrinkles, while BOTOX has been approved for multiple areas of the face. Finer injection sites (such as around the eyes or vertical lip lines) will generally hold improvements for longer than larger areas will.
Neuromodulators typically last 3-4 months before a touch-up treatment is required. However, BOTOX can last up to 6 months in those smaller facial areas.
Dermal Fillers
Where BOTOX and Dysport relax muscles to alleviate wrinkles, dermal fillers, including Restylane products, RADIESSE, Sculptra, and the family of JUVÉDERM fillers, add volume beneath the skin to fill in fine lines and add shape and definition to areas of the face and lips.
Dermal Fillers
Before & After Photos
How long do dermal fillers last? Much longer than you’d think! Depending on the specific filler(s) used, you can enjoy your results anywhere between 6 months and 2 years. Some of the most popular treatments include:
- JUVEDERM – This hyaluronic acid-based filler targets nasolabial folds (smile lines) but can be used to address wrinkles and volume loss throughout the face. It can last 6-12 months, based on where it is used.
- JUVEDERM VOLUMA XC – A thicker gel formula of the HA filler, this dermal filler is specifically formulated for the cheeks and can last up to 2 years.
- JUVEDERM VOLBELLA XC – This version has a lower concentration of hyaluronic acid, making it ideal for subtle, natural-looking lip enhancement and wrinkle smoothing around the mouth. It generally lasts for 12 months.
- JUVEDERM VOLLURE – VOLLURE is the first FDA-approved dermal filler for moderate-to-severe wrinkles. Like the original JUVEDERM, it works particularly well on minimizing nasolabial folds and can last 12-18 months on average.
- Restylane – Add volume to the lips and softness to folds and wrinkles with hyaluronic acid. Results typically last about a year, depending on the treated area.
- Restylane Refyne – This hyaluronic acid filler is designed to help soften moderate lines and wrinkles on the lower face.
- Restylane Defyne – Like its siblings, Defyne is an HA filler, but is designed especially for deeper lines on the lower face.
- Restylane Kysse – Created with XpresHAn Technology™, Kysse provides natural-looking lip augmentation without impeding expressions.
- Radiesse – This filler is made up of calcium-based microspheres that promote collagen growth for naturally firmer and more youthful skin. Patients can enjoy the results for 12-18 months.
- Sculptra Aesthetic – Similar to RADIESSE, this filler stimulates collagen growth to restore fullness over time. It uses poly-L-lactic acid to counteract facial hollowing and fine lines and lasts up to 2 years.
What Can Affect My Results?
Several factors can influence the longevity of your BOTOX and dermal filler results, including:
- Your metabolism – Some patients’ bodies will naturally process injectables more quickly than others.
- Your treatment areas – denser, less animated areas of the face (such as the cheeks) are likely to hold results longer than those that experience more active use (such as the lips).
- Type of treatment – Fillers last longer than neuromodulators as they physically add volume under the skin and—in the cases of RADIESSE and Sculptra—promote collagen growth for ongoing improvements.
- Your injector’s training and skill – How experienced and knowledgeable your injector is can significantly affect the success of your cosmetic outcomes. Overfilling an area, for example, can stretch the skin and lead to diminishing returns later on (aka filler fatigue).
Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics is proud to be a national training facility to educate doctors on the best ways to administer injectables. We always recommend choosing a board-certified dermatologist over a med spa for cosmetic treatments involving needles or lasers (read our related blog post to learn why).
As you can see from our before and after photo gallery, the best, most natural, longest lasting, and repeatable results come from medical professionals with an advanced understanding of facial anatomy and years of training and experience.
Our nationally recognized team of dermatologists creates customized treatment plans for every patient so that they can enjoy the most flattering results every single time. If you are interested in what BOTOX or dermal fillers can do for you, please request a consultation or call us at (214) 631-7546.
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