Dermal fillers are a very popular choice for all kinds of cosmetic treatments in the UK. We can use them for everything from filling in lines and wrinkles to performing a non-surgical nose job. If you’re considering any of these dermal filler treatments then you’ll probably be wondering how long you can expect the results to last.

What Are Dermal Fillers?
The dermal fillers that we use at Dermadoc are made from a material called hyaluronic acid. We all have naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in our skin, so it is very safe to use.
Hyaluronic acid is important for our skin because it helps to retain moisture and stimulate the production of collagen, which is essential for skin elasticity. The amount of hyaluronic acid in our skin tends to decline with age. The loss of hyaluronic acid is one of the reasons why our skin can become duller, more uneven, and wrinkled as we get older.
We can address these problems by injecting a hyaluronic acid filler into your skin. The hyaluronic acid will retain moisture and encourage more collagen production, which will improve the health and appearance of your skin. In addition to boosting your hyaluronic acid levels, the filler will also add some extra volume. It can be used to fill in lines, reduce sagging or to reshape your features.
However, because hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance, our bodies do have the ability to break it down. In youthful skin, the old hyaluronic acid would be broken down and replaced with new material. As we get older, our bodies become less good at replacing the hyaluronic acid that is degraded. The same thing happens with the hyaluronic acid in the dermal fillers. It will slowly be broken down by our bodies, eliminating the results of the treatment.
How Long Will Dermal Fillers Last?
Dermal fillers aren’t permanent because the material they are made from will gradually be broken down by our bodies. How long this takes will depend on various factors, including:
- The quality of the dermal filler brand that was used
- The density of the filler (thicker fillers are used to create certain types of effects, thinner ones are needed for fine lines or delicate areas like the lips to prevent lumps)
- How much filler was injected?
- Individual differences in how fast the hyaluronic acid is broken down and how well your skin responds to the treatment (for example, by producing more collagen)
You will be able to get more personalised advice on how long the treatment is likely to last during your initial consultation at the Dermadoc clinic. However, as a general rule you should expect the effects of most dermal fillers to last for about 12-18 months:
- Fillers with a very thin consistency may only last for 6-9 months. They are generally used for very delicate treatment such as smoothing away fine lines, especially in sensitive areas such as around the lips.
- Most Juvederm and Restylane fillers can be expected to last for at least a year. You might have products such as Juvederm Ultra 2 and 3 for treatments such as filling in lines around your mouth or forehead.
- The thickest dermal fillers such as Juvederm Voluma can last for about 2 years. These are mainly used for treatments such as cheek, chin or nose augmentation.
Benefits of Non-Permanent Cosmetic Treatments
One of the key differences between surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments is how long the effects will last. Surgery can produce permanent results, but that doesn’t always make it the best option. There are some very good reasons to choose a less permanent treatment instead:
- You can test out the effects without having to make a permanent commitment. If you decide that you don’t like the results then you can ask us to do things differently next time. You can even decide to give up on fillers completely, for example if you want to try a different types of treatment instead.
- You don’t have to get all the filler added at once. It’s easy to put in more filler if you decide that you want more volume, so you can gradually increase the amount until you achieve the desired effect.
- The treatment can be adjusted as your skin changes. For example, the type of amount of filler can be adjusted if your lines get deeper or you notice new signs of ageing appearing.
- The effects will last long enough to make the treatment worthwhile. Dermal fillers can be injected in just 10-15 minutes, but the effects can last for about a year. You can have top-up treatments to maintain the effects, but you shouldn’t need to do this very often. Visiting the clinic every 6-12 months is usually enough to keep your skin looking its best.
Dermal fillers aren’t a permanent treatment, but this can actually be a good thing. Rather than having to live with the results of cosmetic surgery, you can change your mind at any time. You’ll be able to enjoy results that last for many months, but which can be adjusted whenever you want. Everyone is different, but most of us can expect our fillers to last for about a year.
If you’ve had dermal fillers before, how long did the results last for you?