Is there a reason my lip filler doesn't last more than a month?

Question

I've tried restylane and juvederm ultra in my lips on numerous occasions. I've tried different Doctors to do the treatment too. I've also tried the canula technique. I always put 1 syringe in. Last time I used one syringe and it lasted a month. I went to another well known doctor and had another syringe done with the canula and it only lasted a month too. It's really frustrating. Ive heard it could be my metabolism. What do you suggest and is there anything I can do?

Shanthala Shivananjappa, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. The longevity of a lip filler depends upon the original size of the lip, age of the patient, anatomy of the peri oral area, cupid's bow, oral commissures, upper cutaneous lip size and the amount of preexisting collagen.  I do believe the anatomy of the lip and peri oral area plays a major role with lip augmentation.  Some people may need more than one filler to rebuild the peri oral area and then achieve the lip fullness. Best wishes. Dr. Shanthala

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

I understand your frustration. Situations like these are also frustrating for the injectors as they don't happen very often. I can recall 1 or 2 patients of mine that just metabolized the fillers extremely fast. In smokers the fillers don't tend to last as long either. You can either try adding more filler, or switching to a bulkier filler such as Juvederm Ultra Plus or Voluma. Make sure you are seeing an experienced injector.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Most people think the filler doesn't last as long because the lips get very swollen after injection.  If you truly feel the results are not long lasting and you have compared before and after photos, then I would consider other options such as fat or a lip implant (although I tend to not like how implants look). Other fillers such as Perlane and Voluma, although typically used in the middle face, work very well in the lip in patients like you whom Restylane and Juvederm Ultra/Ultra plus just didn't seem to last. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your rapid filler absorption.  Some patients who are very physically active and have a high internal metabolism can break down some of the thinner hyaluronic acid fillers quickly.  I would recommend trying one of the thicker fillers, such as Juvederm Ultra Plus or Voluma, to see if they can last a bit longer for you.  Best wishes.

Jill C. Fichtel, MD · Answer

Of all the areas that we treat with hyaluronic acid fillers, the lips tend to have the shortest duration of effect.  Patient age, lip size, vascularity, and movement are variables that affect how long fillers last here.

Is there a reason my lip filler doesn't last more than a month?

Answers (5)