How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last? Duration, Cost & What to Expect

Summary

Choosing dermal fillers is no longer just about instant volume— it’s about longevity, value for money, and partnering with a reputable dermal-fillers clinic that will look after you long-term. Below you’ll find a deep-dive into how long dermal fillers last, why different products behave differently in the skin, what a typical patient journey looks like, and, crucially, the real-world prices you can expect to pay at KONCEPT Medical Clinic in Kingston. By the end you’ll understand the science, the numbers and the practical steps that help every syringe go further.

Search the phrase “dermal fillers near me” and you’ll find hundreds of options promising plump lips, sculpted cheeks, and a rejuvenated jawline within minutes. Yet the first question most patients ask in the clinic remains: How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last? Closely followed by, “How much will it cost, and is it worth it?” This detailed guide answers both, blending peer-reviewed data with real-time aesthetic prices from KONCEPT Medical Clinic, your local Aesthetic and medical clinic in Kingston, renowned for evidence-based care and transparent pricing.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable gels placed beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth wrinkles, or enhance facial contours. Most modern fillers are based on hyaluronic acid (HA), a molecule that occurs naturally in our connective tissue. Others, such as calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic aci,d or PMMA (polymethyl-methacrylate) microspheres, work by stimulating collagen for longer-term structural support. The choice of material directly influences durability, feel, and price—concepts we’ll unpack throughout this article.

Average Duration: How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

Typical time range: six months to two years or more. This window reflects typical HA-based fillers in high-movement zones (think lips or perioral lines) at the shorter end, and collagen-stimulating products in low-movement areas (temples, cheeks) at the longer end.

Duration varies because of:

• Filler chemistry – molecule size, cross-link density, and particle composition all affect degradation.
• Treatment area – lips move constantly, while cheeks remain more static, slowing down the breakdown.
• Patient factors – metabolism, exercise intensity, smoking status, and skincare habits.
• Injector technique – depth, volume, cannula vs. needle, and product layering.

Think of filler longevity as a sliding scale, with product choice and lifestyle influencing the needle’s direction.

Duration by Filler Type

Filler Type	Example Brand Names	Typical Duration
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)	Juvéderm®, Restylane®	6–18 months (cheek indications with Juvéderm Voluma reported up to 24 months)
Calcium Hydroxylapatite	Radiesse®	12–18 months — “a year or more in many patients”
Poly-L-lactic Acid	Sculptra®	Progressive collagen stimulation with results lasting up to 2 years
PMMA (semi-permanent)	Bellafill®	Up to 5 years, the only FDA-approved 5-year filler

 

Why the Spread?

• HA fillers are gradually reabsorbed by enzymes called hyaluronidases. Cross-linking slows this, but activity peaks in dynamic areas.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid are biostimulators—they trigger fibroblasts to lay down fresh collagen that outlives the carrier gel.
• PMMA microspheres remain indefinitely; your immune system encapsulates them, making Bellafill semi-permanent.

Duration by Treatment Area

Area	Typical Longevity
Lips	6–12 months
Cheeks	12–24 months
Nasolabial folds	12–18 months
Under-eye (tear trough)	Up to 12 months
Jawline / Chin	12–24 months
Hands	9–18 months

 

These ranges assume HA fillers. Switching to Sculptra for the cheeks or Bellafill for smile lines can significantly extend the lifespan beyond two years.

Before Treatment

• Comprehensive consultation at KONCEPT Medical Clinic with a medical practitioner.
  When you arrive, our reception team ushers you into a private consultation suite instead of an open waiting room. Your GMC-registered practitioner spends 30 minutes mapping facial anatomy, explaining the risks and benefits, and answering all your questions. Expect to leave with a personalised “Treatment plan” PDF, emailed the same day, which summarises recommended product choices, projected longevity, and a phased treatment plan if multiple areas are involved.
• Discussion of aesthetic goals, filler type, cost, and expected duration.
  We use a mirrored “goal-setting” exercise: you describe the look you want, then the clinician holds a handheld mirror and gently manipulates tissues so you can preview realistic outcomes. Together, you decide between HA options (e.g., Juvéderm Volift for lips) or collagen stimulators (e.g., Radiesse for hands). A transparent quotation, itemised by syringe and inclusive of follow-up, is printed and signed off before any treatment proceeds.
• Medical history review; photographs for records.
  Our GMC-registered practitioner inquires about autoimmune conditions, allergies, previous injectables, and current medications to identify any potential contraindications and allergies. High-resolution photos, front, oblique and profile—are captured under colour-calibrated lighting so progress can be objectively tracked at your review visit. Data are encrypted on a UK-based server compliant with GDPR and CQC guidelines.
• Numbing cream or local anaesthetic for comfort.
  A numbing cream is applied for 15–20 minutes if required. Meanwhile, you can ask to relax with noise-cancelling headphones and choose from a playlist of calming soundscapes.

After Treatment

• Mild swelling or bruising for 2–5 days (lips can swell up to 30 % immediately post-inject).
  We can provide a chilled gel pack, arnica, and a QR code linking to post-care instructions. Expect swelling to peak at 24 hours and recede steadily.
• Results are visible immediately for HA fillers; Sculptra develops gradually over 4–8 weeks.
  Your clinician will provide immediate mirror results and then schedule a complimentary “check-up” at two to four weeks. If you choose Sculptra, we book staged sessions every four weeks and photograph collagen maturation with the same calibrated setup to document subtle changes.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, and extreme heat for 24 hours.
  You’ll leave with a printed “Post Treatment care” explaining these restrictions—handy for the gym or hot yoga studio. After the first day, light cardio is acceptable, but we suggest postponing high-intensity interval training for 48 hours to minimise vascular flushing.
• Sleep on your back, head elevated, on the first night to reduce pressure.
  If elevation feels awkward, wedge two regular pillows beneath your mattress topper for a subtle incline.

Factors That Affect How Long Fillers Last

1. Filler Type

• Hyaluronic acid fillers (e.g., Juvéderm®) last 6–18 months.
• Longer-lasting fillers, such as Radiesse or Sculptra, can last up to 2 years or more.

2. Treatment Area

• High-movement areas (e.g., around the mouth) tend to break down faster.
• Less mobile areas (e.g., cheeks, jawline) hold fillers longer.

3. Age & Skin Condition

• Younger skin with good elasticity may retain fillers for a longer period.
• Thinner or sun-damaged skin might experience faster breakdown.

4. Metabolism & Lifestyle Habits

• Faster metabolism can cause fillers to break down more quickly.
• Smoking, sun exposure, and poor diet can accelerate filler absorption.

5. Regular Touch-Ups

• Filler results gradually fade, and maintenance treatments help prolong the effects.

6. Injector Expertise

• Experienced injectors ensure precise placement for optimal results and longevity.

Type of filler used:

• Cross-linked HA lasts longer than soft hydrating gels.

Because cross-linking chemically “ties” individual hyaluronic-acid chains together, the resulting gel is denser, more cohesive, and markedly more resistant to breakdown by naturally occurring hyaluronidase enzymes. Think of it as a tightly woven net versus a loose mesh—the tighter net holds its shape far longer.

Highly cross-linked fillers, such as Juvéderm Voluma or Restylane Contour, are therefore chosen for mid-face lifting, where durability is prized. In contrast, softer, low-cross-link HA (for example, Juvéderm Volbella) is preferred for delicate lip hydration, where flexibility matters more than lifespan.

Beyond HA, calcium-hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic-acid formulations stimulate your collagen, extending effects well past the carrier gel’s life. In short, chemistry is destiny: the more structurally robust the molecule, the longer it can resist enzymatic attack and mechanical stress.

• Depth and area of injection:

Deep periosteal injections face less mobility and slower metabolism.
Placing filler directly onto bone (the periosteum) shelters it from high-motion superficial muscles and from the superficial lymphatic network that drains metabolic by-products. This deeper plane also has a lower temperature and reduced vascularity, further slowing enzymatic activity.

Conversely, superficial dermal or submucosal injections—such as those used for smokers’ lines or lip vermilion—sit in tissues that stretch, compress, and heat dozens of times every minute, thereby fast-tracking resorption. Anatomical thickness matters too: the cheek’s malar fat pad is broad, while the under-eye tear-trough is thin; the same product lasts markedly longer in the former simply because it is better protected.

• Facial movement:

Constant smiling, talking, or chewing can accelerate resorption in the perioral zones.
Each smile or bite exerts shear forces that fragment filler particles and stimulate circulation, delivering more hyaluronidase to the area. Studies using MRI have shown a 20–30% faster volume loss in the lips compared to the nasolabial folds with identical HA products.

Even involuntary habits—such as lip-pursing while concentrating, chewing gum, or playing wind instruments—compound this effect. By contrast, regions like the temples or lateral jawline move minimally; fillers there enjoy a comparatively “quiet” environment and therefore a longer half-life.

• Metabolism & lifestyle:

High-intensity workouts, fast metabolisms, and smoking can shorten longevity.
People with lower body-fat percentages and high basal metabolic rates clear exogenous substances, including HA gels, more quickly. Vigorous cardio increases core temperature and boosts micro-circulation, effectively “washing” the filler bed with enzyme-rich plasma. Nicotine, meanwhile, constricts blood vessels but also raises oxidative stress, degrading collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA) alike.

Chronic sun exposure, high-sugar diets, and inadequate sleep elevate systemic inflammation—another accelerator of tissue turnover. Small lifestyle shifts—switching some HIIT sessions for Pilates, quitting smoking, wearing SPF 30 daily—can add several months to your results.

• After-care practices:

Proper skincare, hydration, and sun protection help preserve results.
In the first 48 hours, icing and head elevation minimise inflammation that could otherwise prompt faster gel breakdown. Long-term, generous water intake keeps HA molecules fully hydrated and volumised. Broad-spectrum sunscreen blocks UV-driven free radicals that chew through collagen scaffolding around the filler, while antioxidant-rich serums (vitamin C, resveratrol) provide an extra defence.

Gentle lymphatic massage, only if advised by your clinician, can improve integration without displacing product. Finally, timely maintenance appointments—small top-ups at the 50–60% fade mark—stabilize results, allowing each syringe to “hand off” to the next and avoiding the feast-and-famine cycles that shorten overall longevity.

Signs Your Filler Is Wearing Off

• Wrinkles or shadowing begin to re‑emerge.
• Subtle loss of contour, especially at the lateral cheek or vermilion border of the lips.
• Makeup starts to sit in fine lines again.
• Photographs appear less plumped than early post‑treatment shots.
• The time since the last treatment approaches the product’s lower-range lifespan—a nudge to schedule a maintenance session.

How to Make Dermal Fillers Last Longer?

1. SPF 30 + daily – UV accelerates collagen breakdown.
2. Hydration – HA is a humectant; good water intake keeps gels juicy.
3. Gentle facial massage only under clinician guidance** – aggressive rubbing can disperse filler.
4. Balanced lifestyle – minimise smoking and limit excessive cardio marathons that raise metabolic turnover.
5. Regular maintenance appointments – small top‑ups before full dissipation maintain the scaffold and reduce the cost per year.

When to Get a Top‑Up or Maintenance Session

Most patients book appointments at 6–12 months for lip enhancement, 12–18 months for mid-face volumizing, and 18–24 months for structural cheek or jawline work. If you’re using Bellafill®, you may not need a repeat visit for approximately five years; however, you should still attend annual reviews to monitor collagen deposition and facial harmony.

Cost of Dermal Fillers

Transparent pricing cements trust. Below are the current online prices (June 2025) for KONCEPT Medical Clinic, one of the leading dermal fillers services in Kingston, London:

Treatment Area	Price (From)
Lip Filler	£349.99
Cheek Contouring	£399.99
Nasolabial Folds / Marionette Lines	£449.99
Chin Contouring	£499.99
Jawline Contouring	£499.99
Temple Volumisation	£499.99
Tear Trough (Under-eye)	£599.99
Non-surgical Full-Face Lift (8-Point Lift)	£1,499.99
Dermal Filler Dissolving (Hyalase)	£499.99

 

Why do prices vary?

Product choice, syringe volume, and practitioner expertise all influence the final quote. A subtle lip hydration session may use 0.5 mL, whereas a structural cheek lift might require 2 mL of a thicker HA gel.

*Tip: Factor longevity into your budget. A £399.99 cheek filler lasting 18 months averages approximately £22 per month, comparable to a daily cappuccino, but with a significantly bigger confidence boost.

Final Thoughts

Longevity is a team effort between science, injector skill, and your own after‑care. By choosing an experienced dermal fillers clinic like KONCEPT Medical Clinic, understanding product lifespans and adhering to sensible maintenance, you’ll maximise every drop of dermal filler, maintaining natural, camera‑ready contours for as long as possible.

FAQ

• What fillers last up to five years?

KONCEPT Medical Clinic does not use Bellafill® (PMMA) due to UK regulatory concerns. We recommend Sculptra® and Radiesse®, which provide visible results for 2+ years by stimulating collagen production, offering a balance of longevity, safety, and reversibility.

• Which lasts longer, Botox or dermal fillers?

Botox lasts 3–4 months, while dermal fillers can last 6 months to 5 years, depending on the type. Fillers like Juvéderm® last 6–18 months, while Sculptra® and Radiesse® can last up to 2 years or more.

• Can you use both together?

Yes, Botox and dermal fillers are often used together for a balanced, longer-lasting result—Botox for wrinkles and fillers for volume restoration.

• What happens when dermal fillers wear off?

Fillers gradually fade without sudden collapse. Hyaluronic acid breaks down naturally, while collagen stimulators slowly remodel your own collagen for a subtle, soft return to baseline.

• How often should you get dermal fillers?

Review treatments every 6–9 months for lips and 12–18 months for mid-face. Semi-permanent fillers may only need touch-ups every few years, but annual assessments help maintain a natural result.