One of the best parts of many cosmetic treatment options is the fact that they are minimally invasive and have little to no downtime. However, that often means that the results are not completely permanent in nature. Scheduling routine maintenance is an important part of getting the full, lasting benefits from your treatment.

Of course, with so many treatment options, it can be confusing to figure out the maintenance schedule you should expect. Let’s take a look at some popular treatments to help you know exactly when to schedule your next follow-up.

Botox and Dysport: 3 to 4 Months

Neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport are one of the most requested treatments for reducing and preventing wrinkles. These injectable treatments work by temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause these lines to form. The effects are not permanent, and muscles regain their movement after some time. For ideal results, you will want to get regular maintenance injections.

The effects of neurotoxins typically last between three and four months. As effectiveness wears off, you will likely notice muscle movement slowly return. We recommend scheduling your next appointment when this begins to occur, because your injector may ask you to flex the muscle to target your injection site. However, don’t wait too long, as consistent treatment prevents wrinkles and can even atrophy muscles over time, potentially extending the intervals between sessions for some patients.

Dermal Fillers: 6+ months

Dermal fillers are used to restore lost volume, smooth deep lines, and enhance facial features. The maintenance schedule depends largely on the type of filler used and the location, so be sure to ask your injector about your particular filler schedule.

Restylane: 6 to 18 Months

Restylane is a trusted name in fillers that offers a range of formulations to target everything from delicate areas like the lips to deeper lines in the cheeks or nasolabial folds. Restylane is made with hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found throughout the body. Over time, it will break down and dissipate, its effects fading eventually.

Most Restylane treatments provide results lasting 6 to 12 months, depending on the area treated and the particular formulation. For example, lips may require maintenance around 6 months, while areas with less movement may hold results for up to a year.

Skinvive: 6 Months or longer

Skinvive is another hyaluronic acid filler, but it serves a different purpose than traditional fillers. Rather than add volume to one specific area, Skinvive disperses across a much larger area than a more targeted filler in order to hydrate skin and improve texture. Results last approximately 6 months.

Sculptra: 12+ Months

Sculptra is a unique injectable that works differently from hyaluronic acid fillers. Rather than providing immediate volume, Sculptra stimulates your body’s own collagen production. This gradual process helps restore facial fullness and improve skin firmness over time. Results come on gradually and hang around for longer than traditional fillers.

Most patients see benefits lasting a year or longer. To maintain improvements, a single maintenance session once a year is recommended after the initial treatment.

PRP Facial and Facelift: 1 to 2 years

Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy utilizes your own blood to stimulate healing and collagen production. Your blood is drawn and processed to separate PRP, which is then combined with microneedling (PRP Facial) or injected directly (PRP Facelift). Most patients benefit from maintenance treatments every one or two years to continue stimulating collagen and maintaining skin quality.

Morpheus8: 12 to 18 Months

Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to reach deeper layers of tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. It is effective for skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, and improving texture.
Morpheus8 usually starts with a series of treatments. Once your optimal results are achieved, a maintenance session once a year helps to maintain.

HydraFacial: 4 to 6 Weeks

HydraFacial is a non-invasive treatment that uses specialized tools and serums to deeply cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate the skin. It focuses on skin health and maintenance, improving fine lines, smoothing texture, and nourishing skin for a healthy glow.

To keep the skin clear of congestion and maintain hydration, a monthly HydraFacial is the standard recommendation. Regular treatments can improve the effectiveness of your at-home skincare products as well by clearing skin to increase absorption.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing treatments are designed to improve skin texture, tone, and overall appearance by stimulating the skin’s natural repair mechanisms using heat or light energy. These procedures target specific concerns such as acne scars, enlarged pores, fine lines, and uneven pigmentation.

Venus Viva: 6 to 12 + months

Nano-fractional RF treatments like Venus Viva are designed to resurface the skin, reducing the appearance of acne scars, enlarged pores, and uneven texture. The device delivers controlled RF energy deep into the skin, encouraging collagen and elastin production for gradual improvement in smoothness and firmness.
After completing an initial corrective series of approximately 3-5 treatments, the results are long-lasting, and for some can last well beyond 12 months. However, sun exposure and aging will eventually affect skin texture again. A maintenance treatment once or twice a year is effective for preserving smooth texture and addressing new pigment issues that may arise.

Laser Genesis: 6 to 12 months

Laser Genesis is a gentle, non-ablative laser treatment that heats the upper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen growth. This process helps to reduce redness, soften mild scars, and even out skin tone. It is well-suited for those looking to address subtle changes in their skin’s appearance and is compatible with most skin types.
A typical course begins with 4 to 6 initial treatments spaced a few weeks apart. Results typically last at least 6 to 12 months, although they can last longer with proper skincare. Maintenance treatments, as needed, support continued collagen production and allow for effective management of pigment and texture changes.

Thread Lift: 12 to 24 Months

A thread lift, like the Silhouette Instalift, uses dissolvable glycolide – L-lactide threads to lift and tighten sagging skin tissue. It provides a non-surgical alternative to a facelift as the entry points are extremely tiny and leave no visible scars.
The threads themselves dissolve within about six months, but as they do so, they stimulate collagen production within the deep layers of skin. The collagen structure they build lasts significantly longer.

Most patients see the results begin to diminish around the one-year mark. However, depending on the individual skin laxity of the patient, results can last up to two years. Inserting new threads at this time helps maintain the lifted look over a longer time.

Laser Hair Removal – as needed

Laser hair removal offers a long-term reduction in unwanted hair by targeting the hair follicle with IPL and heat energy, while leaving surrounding tissue untouched. Because hair grows in phases, multiple treatments are needed to impact hair at different parts of its growing cycle.

Once the initial series of 6 to 8 treatments is complete, most patients enjoy significantly smoother skin indefinitely. However, hormonal changes can sometimes trigger new hair growth. A “touch-up” session, if you begin to notice stray hairs, will ensure the area remains hair-free.

Maintaining Your Results for the Long Term

Consistency is the most effective tool in any cosmetic treatment plan. Keep in mind that waiting until a treatment has completely worn off often means more product or more sessions will be required to restore the look you achieved previously. In addition, talk to your provider about how combining treatments can extend their benefits and improve results.

Make sure to note the maintenance schedule recommended by your provider at the time of your treatment. Add it to your calendar so you don’t forget! Of course, if you have any questions about your maintenance schedule or treatment, or notice your results fading, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We want your results and your investment in yourself to last as long as possible.