How Long Do Fillers Last? By Area and by Product
Medical Director Dr Sin Yong explains how long dermal fillers last by area and product, why it varies, and how filler is reviewed before more is added at IN Eternity Clinic.
WhatsApp to Enquire →Key facts ↓Hyaluronic acid fillers often last around six to eighteen months, depending on the product and area: shorter in the lips, which move constantly, and longer for firmer gels placed deep on bone. Collagen stimulators such as CaHA, PCL and PLLA build structure gradually and were followed for 12 to 25 months in trials, but cannot be dissolved. See dermal fillers in Singapore.
- Lips: a meta-analysis found 91% of people still responding two months after hyaluronic acid lip filler, 74% at six months and 46% at twelve months [2].
- Midface: in a randomised trial of a volumising hyaluronic acid gel, 85.6% improved at six months and nearly half kept their correction for 24 months [1].
- CaHA: in a 12-month split-face trial in the nasolabial folds, 79% of folds treated with CaHA were still improved, against 43% with a hyaluronic acid filler [3].
- PCL: in a 24-month randomised trial, improvement was sustained in about nine in ten patients at 12 months, and one formulation held through 24 months [4].
- PLLA: in a randomised trial of 233 people, poly-L-lactic acid improvements were reported up to 25 months after the last treatment [5].
Why do some fillers last longer than others?
Three things decide it: the product, the place and the person. Hyaluronic acid gels are broken down by the body over months; firmer gels placed deep on bone generally last longer than soft gels in areas that move all day. Collagen stimulators work differently: their particles prompt your own tissue to lay down collagen, so the effect builds gradually and what remains is partly your own tissue.
The person matters too. Metabolism, facial movement, weight change and sun exposure all affect how a result holds. That is why trial figures describe groups, and why the same product can last a different time in two faces. Individual results vary.
How long does filler last in the lips, under-eyes and cheeks?
Mobile, thin-skinned areas tend to be shorter. In a meta-analysis of hyaluronic acid lip augmentation, 91% of people were still responding at two months, 74% at six months and 46% at twelve months [2]. In deeper, quieter areas a firmer gel can hold longer: in a randomised trial of a volumising hyaluronic acid gel for the midface, nearly half of those treated kept their correction for 24 months [1].
| Area | Usually used here | How long it tends to last |
|---|---|---|
| Lips | Soft hyaluronic acid, small amounts | Often around six to twelve months; 46% still responding at a year in pooled studies [2] |
| Under-eyes (tear trough) | Soft hyaluronic acid only, usually by cannula | Often around nine to eighteen months |
| Cheeks and midface | Firmer hyaluronic acid, CaHA or PCL along the bone | Nearly half kept correction at 24 months in one hyaluronic acid trial [1] |
| Nasolabial folds | Cheek support first; a little fold filler if still needed | Trial data for CaHA, PCL and PLLA run 12 to 25 months [3][4][5] |
| Chin, jawline, nose | CaHA (Radiesse), PCL (Ellansé) or firm hyaluronic acid | Varies with the area, amount and how mobile the tissue is |
How long do collagen stimulators last compared with hyaluronic acid?
Collagen stimulators were followed for longer in trials. In a 12-month split-face trial in the nasolabial folds, 79% of folds treated with calcium hydroxylapatite were still improved at 12 months, against 43% treated with a hyaluronic acid filler [3]. A polycaprolactone trial found improvement sustained in about nine in ten patients at 12 months, and the longer-lasting formulation held through 24 months [4]. Poly-L-lactic acid improvements were reported up to 25 months after the last session in a randomised trial of 233 people [5].
Longer is not automatically the right choice. Hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with hyaluronidase; CaHA, PCL and PLLA cannot, so a result that is not right has to be waited out or managed. This is why collagen stimulators are placed conservatively, and why hyaluronic acid is preferred where reversibility matters most, such as the lips and under-eyes.
| Product family | How it works | Follow-up in trials | Can it be dissolved? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid | Gel adds volume where placed | Lips to 12 months [2]; midface to 24 months [1] | Yes, with hyaluronidase |
| CaHA (Radiesse) | Gel support, then collagen around microspheres | 12-month split-face trial [3] | No |
| PCL (Ellansé) | Gel support, then collagen around microspheres | 24-month randomised trial [4] | No |
| PLLA (Sculptra) | Little day-one volume; collagen builds over a course | Up to 25 months [5] | No |
How is filler reviewed before more is added at IN Eternity Clinic?
Filler often lasts longer than it looks. Some product can remain after the visible effect has softened, and overfilled faces build over years when a little more is added each time an area looks deeper. So each visit starts with a fresh assessment rather than a routine repeat, and existing filler is mapped before anything new is placed.
After treatment, hyaluronic acid shows on the day and settles over one to two weeks, with a review at two to four weeks; collagen stimulators build over months. A doctor injects after an in-person assessment with Dr Sin Yong. See dermal fillers, Sculptra vs Radiesse vs Ellansé and how long aesthetic treatments last.
What Dr Sin Yong looks for
- Whether a hollow is lost volume, which filler can support, or descended tissue, which suits lifting.
- Filler already in place: which product, where and when.
- How mobile the area is, which shapes product choice and how long it is likely to last.
- Whether reversibility matters most, which favours hyaluronic acid.
- Signs of overfilling or product lasting longer than expected, before anything is added.
General clinical observations used at consultation; they describe what is checked, not any individual result.
Frequently asked questions
How long do dermal fillers last?
Hyaluronic acid fillers often last around six to eighteen months, depending on the product and area. Collagen stimulators such as CaHA, PCL and PLLA build structure gradually and were followed for 12 to 25 months in trials. Individual results vary.
How long do lip fillers last?
Often around six to twelve months, because the lips move constantly. In pooled studies, 74% of people were still responding at six months and 46% at twelve months.
How long does under-eye filler last?
At IN Eternity Clinic under-eye filler often lasts around nine to eighteen months, varying between people. Earlier filler is checked before more is added.
Which filler lasts the longest?
In trials, collagen stimulators such as PLLA, PCL and CaHA were followed for longer than many hyaluronic acid fillers, but they cannot be dissolved. Longer-lasting is not automatically the right choice for every area.
Why did my filler wear off quickly?
Movement, a soft gel in a mobile area such as the lips, a small amount and individual metabolism can all shorten how long filler appears to last.
Can filler last longer than expected?
Yes. Some product can remain after the visible effect softens, which is why each visit starts with a fresh assessment and existing filler is mapped before more is added.
Book an assessment
IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210. By appointment with Medical Director Dr Sin Yong. Monday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm. WhatsApp or call +65 8815 3008. At IN Eternity Clinic a consultation fee applies, and it is waived if you go ahead with any medical treatment; the fee is S$120.
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References
- Jones D, Murphy DK. Volumizing hyaluronic acid filler for midface volume deficit: 2-year results from a pivotal single-blind randomized controlled study. Dermatol Surg 2013;39(11):1602-1612. doi:10.1111/dsu.12343
- Czumbel LM, Farkasdi S, Gede N, et al. Hyaluronic acid is an effective dermal filler for lip augmentation: a meta-analysis. Front Surg 2021;8:681028. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2021.681028
- Moers-Carpi MM, Tufet JO. Calcium hydroxylapatite versus nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid for the correction of nasolabial folds: a 12-month, multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, split-face trial. Dermatol Surg 2008;34(2):210-215. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.34039.x
- Moers-Carpi MM, Sherwood S. Polycaprolactone for the correction of nasolabial folds: a 24-month, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Dermatol Surg 2013;39(3 Pt 1):457-463. doi:10.1111/dsu.12054
- Narins RS, Baumann L, Brandt FS, et al. A randomized study of the efficacy and safety of injectable poly-L-lactic acid versus human-based collagen implant in the treatment of nasolabial fold wrinkles. J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;62(3):448-462. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.07.040
These sources describe mechanisms and general evidence. They are not a promise of any individual result; suitability is decided at an in-person assessment.