What Happens When You Decide to Stop Fillers?

Many people turn to injectables like Restylane® and Sculptra® to erase fine lines, soften wrinkles and reverse loss of volume in the face. These products are entirely safe to use year after year, but for a variety of reasons, some people may stop their treatments. Before they do, they may wonder what will happen in that case, and the answer depends on a few variables.

Different Types of Fillers and What They Treat

Dermal fillers are designed to fill in fine lines and wrinkles and also fill in lost volume in the face and lips. Thanks to Instagram, fillers have become a popular option not only to address signs of aging, but also to create a boosted, sculpted appearance. The majority of the most popular fillers, like Restylane and Radiesse, last around 3 to 6 months before retreatment is necessary. These versatile fillers can be used to erase lines, add volume in the cheeks and lips, and more. The results achieved after treatment stay in place for several months until the hyaluronic acid in the injectable begins to naturally dissolve and get absorbed by your body.

Some fillers, such as Sculptra Aesthetic, can last up to 2 years. Semi-permanent fillers like Sculptra are designed to stimulate collagen production to treat certain signs of aging, such as nasolabial folds and facial wrinkles. While the filler itself does not remain in the body that long, the results it produces have a lasting effect. 

Hyaluronic-acid based fillers can be “undone” by injecting hyaluronidase enzymes to dissolve the fillers quickly. Fillers that encourage your own collagen production are harder to undo, but in either case, it is very rare that a patient wants to undo the results of their filler treatment.

What Happens If I Stop Getting Fillers?

As the signs of aging begin to creep back after an initial filler appointment, many people choose to have retreatment, and continue with this regimen for years to keep wrinkles at bay and enjoy youthful facial curves. But you certainly don’t have to follow through on these maintenance treatments. 

If you choose not to have a follow-up treatment, your face will gradually return to how it looked before your initial treatment. The change certainly won’t happen overnight – you’ll just slowly lose volume and gain back fine lines as time goes by. Having a filler treatment will not cause any premature aging of the face or any lasting negative effects.

Is There a More Permanent Solution?

While dermal fillers provide a non-invasive treatment option to help address the signs of aging, they are not permanent. While you can safely continue to get fillers year after year, eventually it may be time to consider a more permanent facial treatment option, such as a facelift, neck lift, or eyelid surgery to give you longer-lasting results. 

If you have questions about dermal fillers and whether or not they will address your facial concerns, call 916-318-5770 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Drew Davis and learn what treatment options will help you reach your goals.