As a plastic surgeon in Little Rock, I’m always looking for research to help my patients get the best possible results. A recent study caught my attention because it actually measured what happens to facial fillers over time using 3D imaging—not just asking people how they feel, but tracking the actual volume changes.
The Study That Changed How I Think About Fillers
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania followed 101 women who received hyaluronic acid fillers in their cheeks, around their mouth, and in their lips. They took precise 3D measurements right after treatment and then at 2, 4, and 12 weeks later.
Here’s what surprised me: different areas of your face hold onto filler very differently.
Where Fillers Last Longest
Your cheeks are the winner. After three months, the cheek area still had about 79% of the original volume. Which makes sense—there’s less muscle movement there, so the filler stays put better.
Around your mouth: The areas around your nose and mouth (those nasolabial folds) kept about 63% of their volume at 12 weeks.<sup>1</sup>
Your lips: This was the biggest loss—only 37% remained after three months. Your lips are constantly moving when you talk, eat, and smile, which breaks down the filler faster.
Why This Matters for Your Treatment
When patients come to my Little Rock practice asking about fillers, I now have better information to share about realistic timelines. If you’re investing in lip filler, you should know you’ll likely need touch-ups sooner than if we’re treating your cheeks.
It’s not that lip filler doesn’t work—it absolutely does. But understanding these differences helps us plan your treatments and set realistic expectations about maintenance.
Age and Your Results
Here’s something else the study found: women over 49 lost volume faster than younger patients. This doesn’t mean older patients shouldn’t get fillers. It just means we might need to adjust the treatment plan or schedule touch-ups a bit sooner.
Interestingly, older patients in the study were actually *more* satisfied with their results. They appreciated the improvements more, possibly because the changes were more noticeable.
What Happens Right After Your Treatment
The study introduced some technical terms I found useful. Right after injection, your face swells a bit—that’s normal. Within two weeks, that swelling goes down and you see your true result. The researchers called this your “effective volume.”
For cheek fillers, about 90% of what you see right after treatment is still there at two weeks. For lips, it’s about 70%. This settling period is why I always schedule a two-week follow-up with my patients.
How I Use This Information
When you come in for a consultation in Little Rock, I think about:
Your priorities: If you want the longest-lasting results, we focus on the midface first.
Your lifestyle: How much are your lips moving during the day? Are you a public speaker or teacher? This affects how I approach lip augmentation.
Your age: I’m more conservative with older patients initially, then we can add more at follow-up if needed.
Your budget: Knowing that lip filler needs more frequent touch-ups helps you plan financially.
The Patient Satisfaction Part
What really matters to me is that patients felt better about their appearance for the full three months—even as the filler was gradually decreasing. They reported improvements in how they felt about their face, their confidence in social situations, and their overall quality of life.
That psychological boost is often as important as the physical change.
My Bottom Line
After reading this research, I’m more thoughtful about where I place filler and how I counsel patients about their results. The midface gives you the most longevity. The lips need more frequent attention. And patient satisfaction stays high even as the product gradually metabolizes.
If you’re considering facial fillers in Little Rock, come talk with me. We can look at your individual anatomy, discuss your goals, and create a treatment plan based on both your preferences and what the science tells us actually works.
Every face is different, and what matters most is creating a natural result that makes you feel like yourself—just refreshed.
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*Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation at our Little Rock practice to discuss whether facial fillers are right for you.*
Reference
1. Davis HD, Mazzaferro D, Habarth-Morales TE, et al. A Large Prospective Volumetric and Patient-Reported Outcome Analysis of Hyaluronic Acid Facial Fillers. *Plast Reconstr Surg*. 2025;156(4):550-559. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000012135
