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A woman in her late forties looking in a hand mirror in soft daylight, representing how long aesthetic treatment results last, at IN Eternity Clinic, Singapore
Results · Longevity · Ten Treatments · Doctor-Reviewed · Orchard Road

How Long Do Aesthetic Treatments Last?

What the studies report, and what changes it.

Fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, skin boosters, biostimulators, HIFU, Ultherapy, Thermage, thread lifts and lasers, compared in one place. Every figure is a commonly reported range from published studies, reviewed by Medical Director Dr Sin Yong.

WhatsApp to Enquire →Key facts ↓
10
Treatments compared
20
Studies cited
Varies
Between people
Review
Not a calendar
Assessed and planned by Dr Sin Yong, Medical Director · MBBS (NUS) · MRCS (Edinburgh) · MSc Aesthetic Medicine (London) · MSc Practical Dermatology (Cardiff) · Designated DEKA Centre of Excellence
In short

How long an aesthetic treatment lasts depends on what it does. Anti-wrinkle injections wear off as nerve signals recover, commonly within a few months. Hyaluronic acid fillers are absorbed over months to around two years, depending on area. Collagen-building treatments fade gradually. Laser hair removal and scar resurfacing tend to hold longest. Every figure here is a published range and varies between people.

Reviewed by Dr Sin Yong, Medical Director, IN Eternity Clinic · Updated
Key facts
  • Shortest: anti-wrinkle injections and soft fillers in mobile areas such as the lips.
  • Middle: hyaluronic acid fillers in quieter areas, skin booster courses, HIFU, Ultherapy and Thermage.
  • Longer: biostimulators (Sculptra, Radiesse, Ellansé), laser hair removal courses and scar resurfacing.
  • Biggest influences: the area treated, the product, sun exposure, weight change, smoking and age.
  • Figures: commonly reported ranges from the studies cited; not confirmed for any individual, and reviewed at follow-up.
  • Consultation: S$120, waived with any medical treatment. IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza.
Why it varies

Why do some aesthetic treatments last longer than others?

How long a result lasts depends less on the brand than on what the treatment does. Each of three broad mechanisms fades differently.

“Lasting” also means two things: how long the product is present, and how long you can still see a difference. The second is shorter, because the face keeps changing, and Singapore’s year-round sun shortens many of the results below.

At a glance

How long do aesthetic treatments last? A summary table

The ranges below are commonly reported figures from published studies, not IN Eternity Clinic’s promise. Results vary between people, and where no study gives a dependable figure we say so.

Commonly reported figures from the studies cited. Not a promise of any individual result; how long yours lasts is reviewed at follow-up.
TreatmentWhat it doesHow long results usually lastWhat shortens or extends it
Hyaluronic acid fillersRestore volume with a gel that can be dissolvedDepends on area: fold correction often still present at six months [1]; a cheek volumiser up to two years in some people [2]Shorter: lips, mobile areas. Longer: deep placement, firmer gels
Anti-wrinkle injectionsRelax the muscles that crease the skinCommonly a few months; in a frown-line trial, about four months in many patients [3]; jaw slimming changes more slowly as the muscle reduces in bulk [4]Shorter: strong muscles, small doses
Skin boosters (Profhilo, Rejuran, Juvelook)Improve hydration and skin qualityBuilt with a course, then maintained; Profhilo was studied over 16 weeks [5]Shorter: sun, smoking. Longer: completing the course
Biostimulators (Sculptra, Radiesse, Ellansé)Prompt collagen to rebuild supportAmong the longer-lasting injectables; trials followed results for 12 to 25 months [7][8][9]Shorter: weight loss, sun. Longer: full course
HIFU and UltherapyHeat deep layers to tighten and liftBuilds over months; most studies report short-term follow-up only [12], and an early series reported six-month results [11]Shorter: heavier, looser skin
ThermageRadiofrequency heating of the dermisBuilds gradually as collagen remodels [13]; how long it holds variesShorter: marked laxity
Thread liftsReposition tissue with dissolvable threadsEvidence for lasting lift is limited [14]Shorter: heavy tissue, movement
Pico laser for pigmentationBreak up pigment for the body to clearCleared spots can stay clear [15]; new pigment forms with sun, and melasma commonly returns [17]Shorter: sun, heat, hormones
Laser hair removalDisable hair folliclesLong-term reduction after a course [18]; some finer regrowth is commonShorter: hormonal areas such as the chin
RF microneedling and CO2 for scarsRemodel scar tissueImprovement in texture is usually long-lasting [19][20]Shorter: new acne, ageing
Dermal fillers

How long do dermal fillers last? It depends on the area

Hyaluronic acid fillers are cross-linked gels the body breaks down slowly. Firmer gels placed deep on bone generally last longer than soft gels in mobile areas. In a classic trial on the folds beside the mouth, correction was still present in most patients at six months [1]; in a two-year trial of a cheek volumiser, correction lasted up to two years in some people [2]. These are figures for specific products, not a forecast.

Visible correction can soften before all the gel has gone, so adding filler on a schedule risks layering product. Amounts are reviewed before more is added; overfilled faces are seen at filler correction. The full guide is dermal fillers in Singapore.

Anti-wrinkle injections

How long do anti-wrinkle injections last?

Anti-wrinkle injections (botulinum toxin type A) stop a muscle receiving the signal to contract until the nerve endings grow new connections. In a large placebo-controlled trial on frown lines, the effect was maintained in many patients through day 120, about four months [3], which fits the common pattern of treatment two or three times a year.

Jaw slimming behaves differently: the treated masseter gradually reduces in bulk [4], so the slimmer contour appears slowly and how long it holds varies. Strong muscles and very small doses, as in micro-dose anti-wrinkle injections, wear off sooner. Details are on anti-wrinkle injections in Singapore.

An hourglass on stone, representing how long the results of aesthetic treatments last
Illustrative image. Not a patient of IN Eternity Clinic.
Skin boosters

How long do skin boosters last? Profhilo, Rejuran and Juvelook

Skin boosters change how the skin behaves, not the shape of the face, so results are built with a course and then maintained.

Sun, smoking and very dry skin shorten booster results. See skin boosters in Singapore.

Biostimulators

How long do biostimulators last? Sculptra, Radiesse and Ellansé

Biostimulators carry particles the body slowly absorbs while laying down collagen around them. The support that remains is your own tissue, so these are generally among the longer-lasting injectables.

Study follow-up periods, not a promise.
ProductMaterialWhat studies followed
SculptraPoly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)A randomised trial on the folds beside the mouth reported correction lasting up to 25 months [7]
RadiesseCalcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)A 12-month split-face trial against a hyaluronic acid filler [8]
EllanséPolycaprolactone (PCL)A 24-month randomised trial [9]; versions differ in how slowly they are absorbed [10]

The trade-off is that biostimulators cannot be dissolved, so a longer-lasting product is not automatically the better choice; it suits carefully planned structure built up conservatively. See Sculptra vs Radiesse vs Ellansé.

HIFU and Ultherapy

How long do HIFU and Ultherapy last?

Both focus ultrasound into small points in the deeper skin and the supporting layer beneath. The heat tightens tissue and starts collagen remodelling, so change develops over the following months. A systematic review found the effect moderate and noted that most studies did not report long follow-up [12]; an early Ultherapy series reported six-month results [11]. Beyond that, how long it stays visible varies with age, starting laxity, weight change and sun.

Treatment does not pause ageing, so people who value the result usually repeat it at an interval agreed at review. Heavier, looser skin tends to show a shorter result. See HIFU in Singapore and Ultherapy in Singapore.

Thermage

How long does Thermage last?

Thermage FLX heats the dermis evenly with monopolar radiofrequency; collagen contracts and then remodels, so tightening builds over the months after a session [13]. The peer-reviewed literature gives no dependable single figure for how long it holds, so we do not quote one. It suits skin-quality change and mild laxity, not lost volume or heavy tissue. See Thermage in Singapore and Thermage vs HIFU vs Ultherapy.

Thread lifts

How long does a thread lift last?

Dissolvable PDO or PCL threads reposition tissue and prompt some collagen; PCL dissolves more slowly. Good long-term data are scarce: a systematic review found that, apart from two manufacturer-sponsored studies, the lifting effect showed very limited durability [14]. Threads suit selected faces with lighter tissue and modest goals, often alongside volume or skin treatments. See thread lift in Singapore and PDO vs PCL threads.

Pico laser

Does pico laser for pigmentation last?

Picosecond lasers break pigment into tiny particles the body clears over weeks. What happens next depends on the pigment [15]:

For skin types III to V, common in Singapore, settings are kept conservative to limit pigment darkening. Daily sunscreen is what makes the result last. See laser for pigmentation in Singapore.

Laser hair removal

Is laser hair removal long-lasting?

Laser hair removal heats the pigment in growing hairs to disable the follicle. A review of the evidence describes current devices as a durable, long-term solution [18]; even so, some follicles recover to grow finer, lighter hair, so occasional maintenance is common. Hormonal areas such as the chin need more upkeep than the underarms or legs. The full answer is in does laser hair removal last?; the treatment is on laser hair removal in Singapore.

Acne scars

How long do RF microneedling and CO2 laser results last for acne scars?

RF microneedling and fractional CO2 laser make controlled injuries in scar tissue so that it is remodelled with new collagen over several months [19][20]. Because the scar itself changes, improvement in texture is usually long-lasting. Ageing can make remaining scars look deeper over the years, and active acne can create new ones, so acne is controlled first. See RF microneedling in Singapore, CO2 laser in Singapore and acne scar treatment in Singapore.

“Almost every result in aesthetic medicine is designed to fade. Filler is meant to break down and relaxed muscles are meant to recover. The useful question is not how long it lasts, but how your face will look when it has gone.”
— Dr Sin Yong, Medical Director, IN Eternity Clinic
Making it last

What makes any aesthetic result last longer?

How photographs are used is explained on your first visit; the consultation fee is on fees.

At assessment

What Dr Sin Yong looks for

  • What is causing the change: volume, laxity, skin quality or pigment. Longevity follows from the mechanism, so diagnosis comes first.
  • What is already there: earlier filler, threads or biostimulator that may persist unseen.
  • Muscle strength and expression, which shape how long anti-wrinkle injections and lip filler hold.
  • Skin type and sun exposure, which change laser and pigment plans in Singapore.
  • Baseline photographs in the same light, so review compares like with like.

General clinical observations used at consultation; they describe what is checked, not any individual result.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Which aesthetic treatment lasts the longest?

Treatments that remove or remodel a target, such as a completed laser hair removal course or scar resurfacing, tend to hold longest. Among injectables, biostimulators generally outlast hyaluronic acid fillers, which outlast anti-wrinkle injections. How long any result lasts varies between people.

Why did my filler seem to wear off faster than expected?

Lips and other mobile areas break filler down faster, softer gels are absorbed sooner, and early swelling can make the first result look fuller than the settled one. Some gel can remain even when the change is no longer obvious, so it is reviewed before more is added.

Do results last longer if I repeat treatment regularly?

For some treatments, yes: courses of skin boosters and biostimulators are designed to build on each other. For fillers, repeating on a fixed schedule can layer product, so at IN Eternity Clinic repeat treatment is decided at review against your baseline photographs.

Does Singapore’s sun shorten aesthetic results?

Often, yes. Strong sun all year breaks down collagen and stimulates pigment, shortening lifting, skin booster and pigment results in particular. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, shade and a hat are the simplest way to protect what has been achieved.

Does exercise or a fast metabolism make treatments wear off faster?

It is a common belief, but the evidence is limited. Muscle strength does influence anti-wrinkle injections, and large weight changes affect fillers and biostimulators. If a result seems short-lived, the plan is reviewed.

How long does Profhilo last compared with Rejuran?

Both are built with a short course and then maintained, and neither has a single dependable duration. Profhilo mainly hydrates and firms; Rejuran supports repair of thin or scarred skin. Maintenance intervals are agreed at review rather than fixed in advance.

Is a longer-lasting product always better?

No. Biostimulators last longer but cannot be dissolved, so they suit carefully planned structure. A hyaluronic acid filler wears off sooner but can be adjusted or dissolved, which matters in delicate areas such as the under-eyes and lips.

Does pigmentation come back after pico laser?

It depends on the type. Sun spots and freckles that clear can stay clear, but new ones form with sun. Melasma tends to recur and is maintained with gentle sessions and daily protection. Post-acne marks fade, but new inflammation leaves new marks.

How often do people come back for maintenance?

It varies by treatment and person. Anti-wrinkle injections are often repeated a few times a year; biostimulators, lifting and laser hair removal need less frequent upkeep. At IN Eternity Clinic the interval is agreed at review, based on how your result has held.

Can I make anti-wrinkle injections last longer?

A dose suited to the strength of the muscle, waiting until movement has returned before repeating, and sun protection all help. Very small doses wear off sooner by design. Products sold to extend the effect have little reliable evidence behind them.

Related at IN Eternity: Dermal fillers · Anti-wrinkle injections · Skin boosters · Sculptra · HIFU · Ultherapy · Thermage · Thread lift · Pigmentation laser · Laser hair removal

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. The consultation fee is waived with any medical treatment.

WhatsApp to Enquire →Call +65 8815 3008
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Dr Sin Yong
MBBS (NUS) · MRCS (Edinburgh) · MSc Aesthetic Medicine (London) · MSc Practical Dermatology (Cardiff)
International KOL — CLASSYS · HIRONIC · DEKA · ALMA · FOTONA · LUTRONIC
→ Dr Sin Yong's full profile

References

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  2. 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
  3. Carruthers JA, Lowe NJ, Menter MA, et al. A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of glabellar lines. J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;46(6):840-849. doi:10.1067/mjd.2002.121356
  4. Kim NH, Chung JH, Park RH, Park JB. The use of botulinum toxin type A in aesthetic mandibular contouring. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005;115(3):919-930. doi:10.1097/01.PRS.0000153236.79775.A0
  5. Sparavigna A, Tenconi B. Efficacy and tolerance of an injectable medical device containing stable hybrid cooperative complexes of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid: a monocentric 16 weeks open-label evaluation. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2016;9:297-305. doi:10.2147/CCID.S114450
  6. Lee KWA, Chan KWL, Lee A, et al. Polynucleotides in aesthetic medicine: a review of current practices and perceived effectiveness. Int J Mol Sci 2024;25(15):8224. doi:10.3390/ijms25158224
  7. 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
  8. 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 (online 2007). doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.34039.x
  9. 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
  10. Christen MO, Vercesi F. Polycaprolactone: how a well-known and futuristic polymer has become an innovative collagen-stimulator in esthetics. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2020;13:31-48. doi:10.2147/CCID.S229054
  11. Brobst RW, Ferguson M, Perkins SW. Ulthera: initial and six month results. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am 2012;20(2):163-176. doi:10.1016/j.fsc.2012.02.003
  12. Ayatollahi A, Gholami J, Saberi M, Hosseini H, Firooz A. Systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for face and neck rejuvenation. Lasers Med Sci 2020;35(5):1007-1024. doi:10.1007/s10103-020-02957-9
  13. Sukal SA, Geronemus RG. Thermage: the nonablative radiofrequency for rejuvenation. Clin Dermatol 2008;26(6):602-607. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2007.09.007
  14. Gülbitti HA, Colebunders B, Pirayesh A, Bertossi D, van der Lei B. Thread-lift sutures: still in the lift? A systematic review of the literature. Plast Reconstr Surg 2018;141(3):341e-347e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000004101
  15. Wu DC, Goldman MP, Wat H, Chan HHL. A systematic review of picosecond laser in dermatology: evidence and recommendations. Lasers Surg Med 2021;53(1):9-49. doi:10.1002/lsm.23244
  16. Passeron T, Picardo M. Melasma, a photoaging disorder. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2018;31(4):461-465 (online 2017). doi:10.1111/pcmr.12684
  17. Wattanakrai P, Mornchan R, Eimpunth S. Low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (1,064 nm) laser for the treatment of facial melasma in Asians. Dermatol Surg 2010;36(1):76-87 (online 2009). doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2009.01383.x
  18. Gan SD, Graber EM. Laser hair removal: a review. Dermatol Surg 2013;39(6):823-838. doi:10.1111/dsu.12116
  19. Cho SI, Chung BY, Choi MG, et al. Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of fractional radiofrequency microneedle treatment in acne scars and large facial pores. Dermatol Surg 2012;38(7):1017-1024. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2012.02402.x
  20. Manuskiatti W, Iamphonrat T, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Eimpunth S. Comparison of fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet and carbon dioxide lasers in resurfacing of atrophic acne scars in Asians. Dermatol Surg 2013;39(1 Pt 1):111-120 (online 2012). doi:10.1111/dsu.12030

These sources describe mechanisms and general evidence. They are not a promise of any individual result; suitability is decided at an in-person assessment.

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