How Long Does It Take to See the Results of Fillers?

There are many cosmetic treatments and procedures that can enhance your appearance. Before resorting to invasive surgeries, consider minimally invasive injectable treatments that are also effective but require less downtime aren’t as drastic. For instance, if you’re looking to restore facial volume, fill-in creases, and reconstruct the contour of your face, dermal fillers are a great solution.

So how long does it take to see the results of dermal fillers? Because dermal fillers add volume to your face, the changes are instantly visible after your procedure. However, it can take several weeks for the fillers to fully settle. Here’s what you should know.

Learn More: What Are the Side Effects of Juvéderm Fillers?

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How Long Does It Take to See Filler Results?

Once dermal fillers are injected around your face, the volume of your facial features increases instantly. This means you can see a difference in your appearance as soon as you finish the treatment.

However, it can take between two to four weeks for the dermal filler to fully set in. This can depend on the injection site and treatment area, as well as the type of filler you’ve opted for. Not all of the dermal filler will settle into your skin, so if you think the results after your procedure are fuller than you expected, give it some time to settle to see the final results.

How Long Will My Filler Last?

How long your filler lasts can vary on a number of factors. The main factor is the dermal filler substance you choose, and there’s a wide variety of dermal fillers to choose from. Some dermal fillers can last as little as six months, while other fillers can last for several years before they start to lose their effect. Use the table below as a guideline for how long fillers can last depending on the type of filler used.

Dermal Filler Brand	Filler Materials	How Long Does It Last?
Juvederm	Synthetic hyaluronic acid	6 months to 2 years, depending on the type of Juvederm product you get (Juvederm Ultra, UltraPlus, Vobella, Voluma, etc.)
Restylane	Non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid	5 to 12 months, depending on the type of product you get (Restylane Defyne, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk, etc.)
Belotero	Hyaluronic acid	6 to 12 months
Radiesse	Calcium hydroxyapatite	12 months
Sculptra	Poly-L-lactic acid	1 to 2 years
Bellafill	Polymethyl methacrylate microspheres	5 years
Autologous fat injections	Fat that’s extracted from your own body and processed into a filler substance	Lifetime

Each filler can treat different problem areas on your face. Here’s a guide on which dermal filler is best to handle the areas you want to treat:

Problem Area & Treatment	Best fillers to use
Tear troughs – fill in the crease to remove shadows	Juvederm, Restylane, fat injections
Drooping cheeks – lift and enhance its appearance	Restylane
Marionette lines – fill in the creases	Juvederm, Belotero, Restylane
Thin lines due to natural shape or old age – plump lips through fillers	Juvederm and fat injections
Acne scars – fill in the depressed areas	Juvederm, Bellafil, Radiesse
Chin wrinkles – smoothen the bumps	Juvederm, Belotero, Restylane, Radiesse
Vertical lip lines (lipstick lines) – fill in the lines and depressed areas	Belotero, Restylane
Nasolabial folds less than a year old	Juvederm, Belotero, Restylane, Radiesse
Nasolabial folds older than one year	Sculptra and Bellafill
Wrinkles like frown lines, brow furrows, and other expression lines	Botulinum toxin injections may be the best cosmetic procedure to treat these kinds of wrinkles.

It’s best to get your dermal fillers from an experienced medical provider. During your initial consultation, your medical provider can recommend which filler is best for the results you want to achieve. They should take factors like your current medical conditions, which areas you want to treat, and your history with dermal fillers to help determine the right path to take.

Side Effects of Fillers

After your filler injections, you may experience some side effects for several days up to two weeks. Most of these symptoms are common after filler treatments and are the effects of your injection. For the most part, there’s no need to visit your doctor to treat these symptoms as they can go away within a few days. They can also be managed with home remedies and over-the-counter pain relievers.

Common Side Effects

Some of the common side effects patients may experience around the injection site include the following:

Redness and swelling
Bruising
Itching, irritation, and rashes
Minor pain or discomfort

Most of these symptoms are your body’s reaction to the injection procedure, similar to the symptoms common during other injection treatments. Bruising is a common side effect of injections because there’s a chance of the needle damaging capillaries in your dermal layer.

These symptoms can fade within a few days after your dermal filler treatments, while bruising can take up to two weeks to fully clear up. In the meantime, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses, and other home remedies to help you manage your symptoms.

Dermal fillers require little to no downtime, so you can proceed with your daily routine. However, avoid strenuous activities for a few days after your injection as this can increase your blood pressure and cause bruising. Because the symptoms are very minor, there’s no need for emergency medical attention.

When to See a Doctor

In rare cases, you may experience more serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Common side effects that last longer than 2 weeks – if your symptoms persist, you should consult your doctor.
Skin infections – there are three ways to develop a skin infection on the treatment area during and after your procedure. You will need to see a doctor to get a prescription for topical or oral antibiotics to treat your infection.
- First, you can develop a skin infection if the injection sites were not sterilized correctly. This can be avoided by getting your filler treatments done by a reputable medspa.
- Second, you should not have any active bacterial infections like acne, psoriasis, or eczema near your treatment area during your treatment. If you have an active infection, there could be a risk of contaminating your dermal filler needle, which can penetrate your skin and cause internal infection.
- Third, after your injection, you should avoid touching your face – especially around the injection site. Touching can cause bacteria in your hands to transfer to your face and cause an infection.
Allergic reaction – during your initial consultation, your provider will ask questions to determine if the ingredients of a particular dermal filler is safe for you. In case there is a risk of allergies, they may recommend a different type or brand of filler to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. But if you experience an allergic reaction after your treatment, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Blurred vision and partial vision loss – in rare cases when a provider accidentally injects dermal filler into an artery or blood vessel, it can cause temporary or permanent blindness. However, the chances of this happening are very low as dermal filler injections only penetrate your body up to the dermal layer. To reduce the chances of experiencing this, get your dermal injections from an experienced medical professional.

Maintaining Your Fillers

Over time, your body will gradually metabolize your dermal filler substances. That’s why hyaluronic acid fillers have a shorter lifespan compared to fillers made with synthetic polymer materials like polymethyl methacrylate.

Though there are no surefire ways to extend your filler’s lifespan, there are ways to maximize the effects of your fillers. This is by avoiding practices that can degrade your fillers and practicing habits that won’t affect them. These can include:

Avoid UV exposure. Prolonged sun exposure can cause premature skin aging, which can negate the effects dermal fillers can have when your skin loses more elasticity because of sun exposure.
Use anti-aging skincare products. Dermal fillers can treat signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and lost fat volume. On top of this, the right skincare products can nourish your skin and give you a rejuvenated, youthful appearance.
Get follow-up treatments. Some dermal fillers require touch-up treatment sessions to maintain your appearance.
Practice stress management techniques. Unnecessary stress can accelerate the aging process and cause your skin to age. Avoid stressful situations or practice ways to unwind and destress frequently.

Get Natural-Looking Fillers at Aesthetica MI

woman receiving an injection of dermal fillers in her face preformed by a medical doctor

Dermal fillers are a great cosmetic treatment for adults who want to restore volume, appear naturally younger, and restructure their face without resorting to more invasive methods. The results are instant, but it can take up to 2 weeks for the fillers to really set in and give you the appearance you want to achieve.

At Aesthetica, our team of experienced medical professionals can help you achieve a younger, fresher look. We use the highest-quality products and practice the latest innovations in our field. Consult with the best providers in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and get the natural-looking results you want now.