How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last and Can They Be Reversed?
Dermal fillers offer visible results with little downtime, but they are not permanent. How long they last depends on the product, the area treated and the patient. And because most fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, they can also be reversed if needed. Here is what to expect.
What Affects the Longevity of Dermal Fillers?
- The type of filler and its properties, such as HA concentration and cross-linking.
- The area treated: mobile areas lose filler faster.
- The volume and depth of the injection.
- Metabolism, age and lifestyle, including sun exposure, smoking and intense exercise.
Our article on HA filler longevity explains these factors in detail.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last by Area?
<h3>Cheeks</h3>
Cheek fillers are placed deep, in an area with little movement, and often last from about twelve to eighteen months, sometimes longer with firmer gels.
<h3>Lips</h3>
The lips move constantly when speaking and eating, so filler there breaks down faster, usually within six to twelve months.
<h3>Under the Eyes</h3>
Tear trough fillers use small amounts of soft gel placed deep. Because the area moves little, results often last around a year, sometimes longer. See our article on tear trough filler.
Overview of Filler Types and Their Durability
- HA fillers (JUVÉDERM®, RESTYLANE®, BELOTERO®, TEOSYAL®, REVANESSE®): generally six to eighteen months.
- Calcium hydroxylapatite (RADIESSE®): often around a year or more.
- Poly-L-lactic acid (SCULPTRA®): up to about two years after a full treatment series.
- Skinboosters: shorter, with regular maintenance sessions.
See our article on types of dermal fillers.
Can Dermal Fillers Be Reversed or Dissolved?
HA fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, an enzyme injected by a professional into the treated area. The product breaks down within hours to a few days. This allows an unsatisfactory result, lumps or migration to be corrected, and it is used urgently in case of vascular complications. Biostimulators cannot be dissolved this way, which is why they require careful planning. See our article on whether fillers dissolve naturally.
When Should You Refresh or Top-Up Your Fillers?
- When you notice the result starting to fade, before the product has completely disappeared.
- Often every six to twelve months for the lips and every twelve to eighteen months for the cheeks.
- At a follow-up appointment, so the injector can assess what remains before adding more.
Clinics can find all products in our dermal fillers category.
References
Buhren, B. A., Schrumpf, H., Bölke, E., Kammers, K., & Gerber, P. A. (2018). Standardized in vitro analysis of the degradability of hyaluronic acid fillers by hyaluronidase. European Journal of Medical Research, 23(1), 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-018-0334-9
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, April 8). Dermal fillers: What they are, types, benefits & side effects. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22667-dermal-fillers
Hannan, C., & Lindberg, S. (2021, November 15). How long do dermal fillers last? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-filler-last
Kroumpouzos, G., & Treacy, P. (2024). Hyaluronidase for dermal filler complications: Review of applications and dosage recommendations. JMIR Dermatology, 7, e50403. https://doi.org/10.2196/50403
McKeown, D. (2025, April 9). How long do fillers last? The longevity of dermal fillers. Dr. Darren McKeown. https://www.drdarrenmckeown.com/filler/how-long-do-fillers-last/
