Discover how long modern lip fillers can last and whether permanent options are worth considering
Discover how long modern lip fillers can last and whether permanent options are worth considering
Full, plump lips have long been considered a sign of youth and beauty. But what if nature hasn’t gifted you with an enviable pout? Or the passage of time has left your lips thinning and losing definition? You don’t have to settle for lips you’re not satisfied with.
Advances in dermal filler technology have put long-lasting, natural looking lip enhancement within reach. Keep reading as we provide an insider’s guide to today’s lip augmentation options and what to know before taking the plumper pout plunge.
What Exactly Are Lip Fillers and How Do They Work?
Lip fillers are injectable treatments primarily made up of hyaluronic acid, a naturally hydrating substance found in the skin. When expertly injected by an experienced provider, fillers can add volume, shape and definition to the lips and mouth area.
They work by “filling” in wrinkles and creases, restoring a smoother, plumper appearance. Lip fillers are administered via a quick series of tiny injections to precisely contour the lip line and boost volume.
Are Lip Fillers Permanent, or Do They Fade Over Time?
One of the most common questions patients have is how long the results of lip fillers will last. Lip filler is not considered permanent. The smooth plumping effects are temporary as the hyaluronic acid fillers are gradually broken down and absorbed by the body over months.
But when properly administered by a specialist like Dr. Donna D’Alessio of Montville MedSpa & Pain Center, a lip filler treatment can deliver six months to a year of luscious, kissable lips before starting to dissipate.
The leading brands of hyaluronic acid lip fillers on the market include Juvederm, Versa, and RHA. All are designed to provide gradual and natural looking augmentation. The average duration of lip fillers depends on individual factors like metabolism and skin type, but typically lasts:
- 6-8 months without touch up treatments
- Up to 12 months with periodic maintenance or touch up injections
- Optimally 1-1.5 years with consistent maintenance
This means that while lip fillers are not permanent, they can provide long-lasting enhancement when properly maintained over time.
Discover the long-lasting benefits of lip fillers with Montville MedSpa & Pain Center
Can Certain Lip Fillers Become Permanent After Multiple Sessions?
While no lip filler is strictly permanent, repeated injection sessions over time may enable patients to maintain results longer with carefully spaced touch ups using hyaluronic acid fillers.
On the other hand, Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been used for decades for long-term filler in some parts of the world, but has not been approved by the FDA for use in lips.
A few key points:
- Consistent touch ups every 6-9 months over 2-3 years may extend the duration the filler lasts in lips
- “Stacking” filler, or getting injections before previous filler has fully dissipated, can prolong a smooth augmented effect in some patients
- Take care not to overfill the lips with multiple syringes per session as this carries higher risk of an unnatural “duck lip” look
- In rare cases, some filler particles may remain encapsulated in the lips for years after initial injection
The longest lasting options for permanent lip enhancement are:
Lip Implants
Lip implants are solid, silicone implants that are surgically inserted under the skin to physically increase lip fullness. This is considered a permanent option, though implants may need to be replaced every 10-15 years.
Lip implants pose greater risks than other options, including infection, implant shifting, asymmetry, numbness, scarring, and extrusion where the implant breaks through the skin. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort can last for several weeks following the surgery. Multiple procedures are typically required to achieve the desired look.
Lip Lift Surgery
A lip lift, also known as a bullhorn lip lift, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims to shorten the space between the nose and lips. This is achieved by removing a strip of skin above the upper lip and reattaching the skin.
While the results of a lip lift are permanent, there are risks of scarring, nose asymmetry, lip asymmetry, numbness, bleeding, infection, and altered dental function. Lip mobility may be restricted after surgery and complete wound healing can take several months. The lips may look unnaturally tight at first but relax over time.
Fat Transfer/Grafting
Fat grafting or fat transfer injects fat harvested from other areas of your body into the lips and around the mouth. The procedure involves liposuction to take fat from places like the thighs or abdomen, processing the fat, and then injecting it into the lips in small amounts.
Some of the injected fat is eventually reabsorbed by the body, so several procedures spaced apart may be necessary to achieve full results. The effects can last upwards of 5 years but graft survival is unpredictable. There is minimal downtime with this option.
Risks include uneven results, cysts, infection, and rejection of the fat by the body. Touch-up injections may be required to maintain the desired appearance.
While these options offer the potential for permanent results, they involve more invasive treatments with higher risks than injectable fillers. Montville MedSpa provides a safer range of lip filler options for stunning yet impermanent enhancement.
Experience the potential for extended results with carefully spaced touch-ups using hyaluronic acid fillers at Montville MedSpa & Pain Center
Why Might Someone Choose Permanent Lip Filler Over Temporary Options?
For individuals seeking a permanent solution to thin or aging lips, permanent procedures may be appealing to avoid regular touch ups required by temporary fillers. Potential motivations include:
- Achieving “set it and forget it” results that last for years without reapplication
- Eliminating need for periodic maintenance treatments over time
- Amortizing higher initial costs for potentially greater long term value
- Restoring natural lip contours permanently after a traumatic facial injury
What Should I Consider Before Deciding Between Permanent and Non-Permanent Lip Filler?
As you consider lip filler options, keep the following factors in mind:
- Non-permanent fillers offer more flexibility to adjust or dissolve the filler gradually if desired. Permanent options cannot be simply reversed.
- Temporary fillers carry lower risk of complications and require less downtime. Permanent augmentation may pose greater risks.
- While permanent fillers don’t require regular touch ups, maintenance appointments with non-permanent fillers enable better fine tuning of results over time for ideal rejuvenation.
- Multiple sessions with a temporary filler allow lips to be augmented gradually for the most natural look.
- Non-permanent fillers are generally more affordable as a starting point for subtle enhancement.
Ultimately, temporary fillers allow for the safest introduction to the benefits of lip fillers for kissable, pillowy lips.
How Do I Maintain the Results of a Non-Permanent Lip Filler?
To make temporary lip fillers last as long as possible, be sure to:
- Follow all aftercare instructions from your provider to speed healing and reduce risk of complications. This includes icing, avoiding strenuous activity, and skipping makeup for 24 hours.
- Stay hydrated and use lip balms and treatments to keep your lips moisturized. Dry flaky lips will hasten filler dissolution.
- Apply a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before sun exposure to protect your lips. The sun can degrade filler.
- Schedule timely touch up and maintenance appointments within 6-9 months to sustain that plump polished look. Consistent touch ups are key!
- Avoid smoking, which impedes circulation and can shorten how long your filler results last.
- Manage stress levels through yoga, meditation or other relaxing activities. Filler tends to break down faster when facial muscles repeatedly contract.
With proper care and maintenance over time, lip fillers can deliver their smoothing, rejuvenating magic for a year or longer!
Keep your lips looking plump and polished for longer with our expert aftercare tips and timely touch-up appointments at Montville MedSpa & Pain Center
Express Your True Beauty with Montville MedSpa’s Lip Filler Expertise
Dr. Donna D’Alessio and the specialists at Montville MedSpa & Pain Center offer the latest non-permanent dermal fillers to help you achieve your dream lips. All treatments are administered in a luxury spa environment by credentialed experts who put your safety first.
Through fillers like Juvederm Voluma and Revanesse Versa, Montville MedSpa’s cutting edge procedures enhance the natural contours of your lips and mouth for eye-catching yet extremely subtle results.
Contact us today to schedule a personalized consultation and reveal your most alluring smile.
Call or text us at (973) 834-6887!
