How long does dermal filler last? Duration by treatment area

HA filler injections typically last from about 6 months (lips) to 12–24 months (areas close to bone, such as the cheekbones), depending on the area, the product and your body. Top-ups are best considered when volume loss becomes visible, not on a fixed schedule. BonBoz Clinic is at 66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward (formerly District 3), Ho Chi Minh City. Its operating licences are 11113/HCM-GPHĐ (dermatology) and 10036/HCM-GPHĐ (aesthetic medicine), issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. There, Specialist Level I physician Bùi Thị Kim Kha (practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN) personally examines and injects, using self-resorbing fillers (biodegradable HA filler, dissolvable with hyaluronidase, and CaHA when the doctor indicates it) and no permanent fillers, with an HA-dissolving agent on hand.

Quick summary:

• "How long it lasts" is a range, not an expiry date: with the same filler, one person may see results last longer than another.
• Highly mobile areas (lips) usually fade faster than areas close to the bone with little movement (cheekbones, chin, temples).
• "No longer visible" does not necessarily mean "fully dissolved": magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies still find HA gel in the tissue after several years.
• Some of the old gel may remain in the tissue, so your doctor decides the top-up amount after examining you, and it may be less than the first time.
• BonBoz only injects filler in the face; it does not inject filler in the buttocks or breasts.

How long does filler last in each area?

The table below brings together figures from published clinical studies (listed in the References section at the end of the article). Each study used a different product, measurement method and group of participants, so please read these as a commonly seen range, not a promise for you personally. Actual duration depends on the product, the amount injected, the depth at which the gel is placed and your body.

The figures in the table come from international studies and are not a guarantee of results at BonBoz. The "when to top up" column is a commonly seen suggestion; the actual timing is assessed by your doctor after an examination.

Three points worth noting from the table:

1. 1The lips are the shortest-lasting area because the orbicularis oris muscle moves constantly when you speak, eat and smile. A pooled analysis of several studies found that the proportion of people who still saw fuller lips was about 91% after 2 months, 74% after 6 months and about 46% after 12 months. If you are interested in the lips specifically, the article how long lip filler lasts and when to have it injected again goes into more detail.
2. 2Areas close to the bone with little movement last longer. In the mid-cheek, a randomised trial of more than 200 people using a volumizing HA gel recorded that nearly half still kept their improvement at month 24. For the chin, a trial in Chinese participants recorded 61% still improved at month 12. The article how chin and temple filler improve facial contours covers these two areas further.
3. 3The area around the eyes is different: the skin is thin and prone to retaining water, so the amount injected, as directed by the doctor, is usually very small. A review of 23 studies on the tear trough gives an effective duration of about 8–12 months; a retrospective study of 155 people still saw improvement at month 18.

Why does filler last longer in some people than in others?

A 2026 systematic review pooled 24 studies with more than 1,400 people who received facial HA filler. The authors concluded that durability is influenced by the gel manufacturing technology, the degree of tissue movement and the anatomical features of the injection area. Here are the specific factors to know about when you talk to your doctor:

• Type of product: HA filler is "cross-linked" so that it breaks down more slowly. Dense, highly elastic gels used for support close to the bone usually last longer than soft gels used for the lips or fine lines. This is why doctors do not use one product for every area.
• Injection area and degree of movement: the lips and the corners of the mouth move a lot; the temples, cheekbones and chin move less.
• Amount and depth injected: gel placed close to the periosteum in areas that need support is usually more stable than gel placed superficially under the skin.
• Your body: metabolic rate, age, skin elasticity and weight changes mean the same amount of gel can feel different over time.
• How it is measured: studies measured with three-dimensional scanners, ultrasound or MRI give results that differ from what you perceive in the mirror. The review above recorded that three-dimensional scans showed about 60–86% of the volume remaining at month 12 and 50–86% at month 24. It also recorded that satisfaction among those injected declined in parallel with volume (figures pooled from several different products and areas).

Does "no longer visible" mean fully dissolved?

Not necessarily. A small 2024 study (with a selected sample) used MRI on 33 people who had previously received HA filler in the mid-cheek: all of them still showed gel in the tissue at least 2 years after their last injection, and some still showed it after many years. This does not mean filler is dangerous. It means:

• When your face has "returned to how it was", some gel may still be under the skin.
• This is why the top-up amount should be decided by your doctor after an examination, rather than repeating exactly the amount from the first time.
• Before a top-up, your doctor needs to examine by touch, ask about your injection history, and add only what is truly lacking.

The article filler dissolving more slowly than expected: is it an abnormal sign says more about cases where filler lasts longer than you thought.

How soon can filler be topped up?

This question has two different meanings, and the answers differ too:

1. Right after an injection, how soon can an additional injection be given? In the first few weeks, the injected area is still swollen and the gel is settling into position. In some clinical trials, the additional injection was given only at about one month after the first injection. Assessing too early can lead to extra injections when they are not yet needed.

2. Once settled, how soon should you be injected again? There should be no rigid schedule such as "inject every 6 months". Signs that you should come in for an assessment to consider a top-up:

• The contours you were happy with (lip border, chin angle, temple fullness) have clearly faded when you compare photos taken from the same angle and in the same lighting.
• The injected area feels softer and flatter to the touch.
• You start to see your original concern again, for example a dark shadow under the eyes or hollows on both sides of the temples.

A practical tip: take photos of your face after about one month (once the swelling has gone) from the front and from the side, then retake them under the same conditions every few months. Comparing photos is more reliable than relying on memory.

When not to top up right away: the injected area is swollen and red, has a hard lump or has pain of unclear cause; you were recently injected elsewhere and do not remember the product; you are pregnant or breastfeeding; or you have a skin infection in the area to be injected. These cases need to be assessed by a doctor first. If you have had filler before and do not remember the type, the article 6 things to clarify before your next injection lists what you should prepare.

Ear, buttock and breast filler: does BonBoz offer them?

Many people ask about ear and buttock filler, so BonBoz wants to be clear:

• Buttocks and breasts: BonBoz does not offer filler injections in the buttocks or breasts. The clinic only injects filler in the face. If someone offers to inject dermal filler into your buttocks or breasts, ask carefully what the product is, whether it is licensed for that area in Vietnam, and who the doctor performing it is.
• Ear (earlobe): this is not among the filler injection areas that BonBoz has announced. Medical data on this area is limited; one small study of 19 people in Beijing recorded an effect lasting about 6–9 months. BonBoz currently does not perform filler in this area.

How can filler last longer, safely?

There is no trick to "extend" filler beyond what the product can do. What really helps:

• Choose the right gel for the right area from the start. This is the doctor's decision after an examination, not a choice based on brand name.
• Inject just enough. Overfilling in the hope that it will "last longer" easily makes the face look heavy and less natural.
• Care properly in the first week: do not massage or press the injected area, and avoid hot steam. For details, see the article what to avoid after filler injection.
• Attend follow-up visits as scheduled so that your doctor can record how things progress, rather than returning only when it has already "worn off".

If you want to understand the mechanism, gel firmness and risks in more depth, the page HA filler — dermal filler explains in detail. Costs by area and the usual number of cc are on the page filler injection cost by area.

When should you see a doctor right away, without waiting for a top-up?

How long filler lasts is an aesthetic matter, but some signs after injection are urgent medical matters:

• The skin around the injected area turns pale white or mottled purple, with increasing pain.
• Blurred vision, double vision, eye pain or ptosis (drooping eyelid) after facial injection.
• The injected area becomes swollen, red and hot, with pain increasing after several days or weeks, possibly with fever.

If you notice these signs, call the place that injected you right away or go to the nearest medical facility. If you have blurred vision or loss of vision, call 115 or go to a hospital emergency department immediately, and also inform the place that injected you. If you feel a lump after injection, the article lumpy filler helps you tell the types of lumps apart and how they are handled. BonBoz hotline: 0869 612 310 – 1900 5309.

How does the choice of injection provider affect durability and safety?

Durability and safety depend on a product with a clear origin and an injector who understands the anatomy of each area. A facility with an HA-dissolving agent on hand can respond when a problem occurs. If you are comparing options, the article where to get reputable filler injections in Ho Chi Minh City cross-checks facilities with operating licences against the same table of criteria.

Wherever you are injected, keep a record of the gel type, the injection area and the amount used after each session. At your next top-up, this information helps your doctor estimate how much of the old gel remains and decide where and how much to add.

Frequently asked questions

How long does filler last before it wears off?

With HA filler, the visible effect typically lasts from about 6 months (lips) to 12–24 months (areas close to bone such as the cheekbones), depending on the area, the product and your body. The gel can remain in the tissue longer than the period in which you still see the effect.

How long does chin filler last?

A randomised trial in Asian participants followed for 12 months recorded 61% of people still improved at that point; the effect may last longer because the study stopped at month 12. Your actual duration depends on the gel type, the amount injected and your chin structure.

How long does filler last in the eye socket area and tear trough?

Reviews of studies on the tear trough record an effect of about 8–12 months, and one study saw improvement up to 18 months. This is an area of thin skin that retains water easily, so doctors usually inject very little and are cautious with top-ups.

How soon can filler be topped up?

If an additional injection is needed after the first one, it is best to wait about one month so that the swelling goes down and the gel settles. For repeat injections later on, the decision is based on visible volume loss, not on a fixed schedule.

Does a top-up need as much filler as the first time?

Not necessarily. Some of the old gel may still be in the tissue, so your doctor examines the residual amount before deciding the top-up quantity, which may be less than the first time.

Does BonBoz inject filler in the buttocks or breasts?

No. BonBoz only injects filler in the face and does not offer filler injections in the buttocks or breasts.

What if I want to remove filler before it wears off?

With HA filler, your doctor can use an HA-dissolving agent (hyaluronidase) when it is recommended. This is a medical procedure that requires an examination first and should not be done at home.

References

• de Castro Costa M, et al. Clinical Durability of Hyaluronic Acid-Based Dermal Fillers for Facial Application: A Systematic Review. Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2026.
• Master M, et al. Hyaluronic Acid Filler Longevity in the Mid-face: A Review of 33 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 2024.
• Czumbel LM, et al. Hyaluronic Acid Is an Effective Dermal Filler for Lip Augmentation: A Meta-Analysis. Front Surg, 2021.
• 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.
• Xie Y, et al. Chin Augmentation and Treatment of Chin Retrusion with a Flexible Hyaluronic Acid Filler in Asian Subjects. Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2024.
• Montes JR, et al. Improvement in Temple Hollowing with VYC-20L Hyaluronic Acid Filler: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Plast Reconstr Surg, 2025.
• Trinh LN, et al. Dermal Fillers for Tear Trough Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review. Facial Plast Surg, 2022.
• Puyana C, Montes JR. Long-Term Effects of Tear Trough Hyaluronic Acid Filler: A Retrospective Study. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2025.
• Qian W, et al. Clinical Application of Earlobe Augmentation with Hyaluronic Acid Filler in the Chinese Population. Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2017.

This article was compiled by the BonBoz Clinic editorial team and cross-checked against the medical sources cited above; its content is for information only and does not replace an in-person examination and consultation with a doctor.