Have you ever hoped for lip fillers, or smoother lips and wondered how long do they last? We have the answers for you. These minimally invasive procedures are increasingly popular, offering a quick way to enhance lip volume and shape with relatively low recovery time.

To explore the much asked question - "How Long Does It Last?", we delve into this question with insights from Dr. Geeta Grewal, MS, Cosmetic Surgeon and explore factors that influence the longevity of lip fillers.

What Are Lip Fillers and How Do They Work?

Lip fillers are injectable treatments that enhance the size and contour of the lips. The most common kind nowadays is hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, which are gel-like chemicals that bind to water molecules in the skin, giving it a plumper, more hydrated appearance.

"These fillers replace the collagen and fat lost naturally due to aging, restoring volume and smoothness to the lips," explains Dr. Grewal.

How Long Do Lip Fillers Typically Last?

Dr. Grewal, says that lip fillers usually last 6 to 12 months. However, different factors could yield different results. "Patients who are younger and physically active tend to have a higher metabolism, which can break down fillers more quickly. As a result, they may require more frequent injections compared to others."

In addition to individual metabolism, the type and amount of filler also play a crucial role. For instance:

Restylane and Juvaderm: Lasts for 6 months.

Vollure: A newer product, lasts for 18 months.

Volbella: Provides subtle lip smoothing and lasts for around12 months.

Collagen fillers: Typically last only about 3 months, making HA fillers the longer-lasting and more popular option.

How to make it last longer?

Dr Grewal highlights a few key factors that impact how long lip fillers last:

Lifestyle Choices

"Stress levels, sun exposure, and regular exercise can affect the longevity of your fillers," she says. High-intensity activities, while great for overall health, may accelerate the breakdown of filler substances.

Injection Amount and Frequency

"Regular patients who receive a higher volume of filler tend to see longer-lasting effects," Dr. Grewal notes. Those opting for smaller amounts may notice their fillers dissipate sooner.

What are the types of fillers?

Different fillers have distinct lifespans. For example, versa lip fillers last 6 to 12 months, while some hyaluronic acid fillers can endure up to 18 months.

What Happens After the Procedure?

Swelling and mild bruising are common after the injection process. "You may also notice small red spots at the injection sites or feel slight soreness for a day or two," says Dr. Grewal. These effects are temporary and typically resolve within a week.

Your doctor will likely advise against activities like pursing your lips for 48 hours post-procedure to ensure the fillers settle properly.

Dr. Grewal emphasizes that maintenance is key: "For long-lasting results, follow a healthy lifestyle and schedule touch-up sessions as needed. Regular consultations can help fine-tune the treatment for optimal effects."

Dr Geeta Grewal is a cosmetic surgeon and Founder and CMD of 9 Muses Wellness Clinic, which focuses on botox, anti-aging, and other skin treatment.

On her “Call It What It Is” podcast with co-star Jessica Capshaw, Grey’s Anatomy star Camilla Luddington revealed she had recently been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, an autoimmune condition that quietly messes with your thyroid and, by extension, your entire energy system.

Best known as Dr Jo Wilson, the 41-year-old Luddington admitted she had brushed off her constant tiredness, sluggishness, and need to curl up in bed as signs of getting older or hitting perimenopause. “Makes you a little slothy,” she joked, only half-serious. The truth was more complex and involved a surprisingly common yet under-discussed health disorder.

When “just tired” is something more

It started with a routine blood test. Her doctor spotted “one little thing” and, before she knew it, dropped the phrase “autoimmune disease” into the conversation. But the reassurance came quickly: Hashimoto’s is very common, especially among women in middle age.

Still, common does not mean harmless. Reportedly, Hashimoto’s slowly attacks the thyroid gland, the butterfly-shaped organ at the base of your neck that produces hormones controlling metabolism, temperature regulation, and a surprising list of bodily functions. Over time, the immune system’s misguided attack leads to a drop in hormone production, setting the stage for hypothyroidism.

The symptoms

Luddington recognised several of these signs in hindsight, though she had been quick to explain them away. Now, with a diagnosis in hand, she’s on medication and back to exercising — a reminder that treatment can help restore some balance, even if there’s no cure.

Watch the video here:

Who’s at risk and why

Hashimoto’s can strike anyone, but middle-aged women top the risk list. Genetics may be part of the puzzle, along with environmental triggers like infections, chronic stress, or even radiation exposure.

And while the disease typically develops slowly, its reach is wide. If untreated, it can snowball into complications like heart problems, fertility issues, poor pregnancy outcomes, or a rare and life-threatening state called myxedema, where extreme hypothyroidism leads to unconsciousness.

The mental health connection

Treatment that works

Reportedly, thyroid hormone replacement therapy is the gold standard for treatment, often in the form of a daily pill that restores hormone levels. When managed well, it can make symptoms fade into the background. Lifestyle adjustments, such as regular exercise, good sleep habits, and balanced nutrition, can also help.

Luddington’s story is proof that a proper diagnosis can be life-changing and that even those with hectic Hollywood schedules need to listen to their bodies.

Why you shouldn’t ignore “little” symptoms

Feeling tired is not unusual. But when exhaustion comes with hair loss, weight changes, and a tendency to wear sweaters in 25-degree weather, it is worth checking your thyroid. As Luddington learnt, what seems like ordinary wear and tear can sometimes be a hormonal SOS.

If left untreated, Hashimoto’s can quietly chip away at your health for years, leading to cardiovascular risks, mental health struggles, and long-term organ strain. That is why timely diagnosis and treatment are not just medical niceties; they are essential.

The message is simple: fatigue is not always “just life”. Sometimes, it is your body asking for help and that call deserves an answer.

You spot an itchy patch, a flaky scalp, or a rash after a bad week and think, “It’s probably nothing. Maybe I just need a better moisturiser.” But sometimes, skin changes are like quiet signs from your immune system, and ignoring them could mean missing a chronic condition hiding in plain sight: psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease whose symptoms are often mistaken for everyday skin issues. For light skin tones, it can show up red or pink with a silvery white scale; on darker skin tones, it might look purplish, grey, or dark brown, with scaling that’s less obvious.

Dr K R Sharmatha, Senior Consultant, Dermatology, SIMS Hospital, Chennai, says that because psoriasis often hides behind myths, it’s misdiagnosed as something else. So, let’s debunk nine common misconceptions that are actually signs you might have psoriasis, not just a skin infection.

1. It’s dry skin; a moisturiser will fix it

Early psoriasis can look like stubborn red or scaly patches on knees, back, scalp, or elbows, resulting in silvery-white scales on inflamed skin. Moisturisers won’t cut it; targeted treatments and light therapy are the real solutions.

2. If it itches, it’s probably eczema

Psoriasis can itch like eczema, but it’s not just a surface problem. The itching can cause burning and pain, with flare-ups that feel deep and relentless.

3. Flaky scalp = dandruff

Scalp psoriasis is thicker, with defined plaques and red blotches. Medicated shampoos containing coal tar or salicylic acid can help, but it needs proper diagnosis first.

4. Temporary allergy rash after illness or stress

After a sore throat, fever, or a rough life event, small teardrop-shaped red lesions might appear. This is often misread as an allergy rash, but it could be guttate psoriasis, triggered by immune stressors and treatable with immune-regulating medication and UV therapy.

5. Nail crumbling means vitamin deficiency

Yellow nails, tiny dents, or separation from the nail bed could mean nail psoriasis. It can even signal psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory joint condition.

6. Shiny red patches are sweat rash or fungal infections

Inverse psoriasis shows up as red, shiny patches without scaling, often in the groin, underarms, or under breasts. Its appearance fools people into thinking it’s a sweat rash or fungal infection. Gentle cleansers and prescription creams can help.

7. Skin issues and joint pain aren’t connected

Think again. Persistent stiffness or pain in fingers and knees can be psoriatic arthritis, which may show up without visible skin patches.

8. If it’s not visible, it’s not serious

Psoriasis can affect hidden spots like the inner thighs or inside the mouth, severely impacting quality of life and requiring customised treatment.

9. If it runs in the family, you’re stuck with it

Genetics can play a role, but early intervention reduces severity and prevents complications.

Dr Vaaruni Ravishankar, Consultant Dermatologist, MGM Healthcare, Chennai, explains that psoriasis can be silent, sometimes showing up as fissured palms and soles, oozing skin, persistent groin or armpit rashes, or rough, pitted nails. It can even come disguised as arthritis or link up with autoimmune gut issues.

However, don’t panic, self-treat, or ignore it. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition triggered by factors like hormonal changes, metabolic issues, genetics, stress, certain medications, infections, and lifestyle factors such as smoking or alcohol. But it’s not contagious.

Diagnosis often involves a clinical exam and, if needed, a skin biopsy to confirm. Dr Ravishankar recommends lifestyle adjustments, stress management, and targeted treatment, from topical formulations to immune-modulating medications or biologics that tackle inflammation. Daily care with pH-balanced cleansers, barrier-repair emollients, and sun protection can keep symptoms under control.

And if skin problems last more than two to four weeks, don’t keep guessing. Persistent discomfort, lack of improvement with fungal creams, or worsening skin could be subtle signs of psoriasis. Myths only delay care and in the case of psoriasis, early attention can change everything.

When robotic surgery was first introduced in India, it was considered an advanced and largely inaccessible technique, reserved for high-end hospitals and select cases. Over time, it has evolved into an important tool in women’s healthcare, transforming gynaecologic procedures by making them safer, more precise, and significantly less invasive.

Now, if you’re imagining a machine operating on you while your surgeon takes a break, hit the brakes. This is not sci-fi. In reality, the surgeon is in full control, seated at a console, guiding robotic arms with the finesse of human wrists and the added bonus of 3D vision.

As Dr Rooma Sinha, Founder and President of AGRS and Senior Mentor at Vattikuti Foundation, explains, the advantages of robotic surgery shine brightest in complex cases like hysterectomies, myomectomies, endometriosis excision, and cancer surgeries, especially when factors like obesity, previous surgeries, or deep pelvic adhesions come into play. Public perceptions, however, are still catching up. “There is still a need for greater public clarification that robotic procedures are not only precise and minimally invasive but also safe when performed by trained specialists,” she says.

Even in the US, she points out, 85 per cent of women with large or multiple fibroids still undergo open surgery, largely because traditional laparoscopy proves tricky. “Doing 1000+ benign gynaecological surgeries in my career is the testimony of my belief in this technology as a game-changer in surgery for women,” she says.

Babies, Blood Loss, and Better Scars

One unexpected benefit is fertility. Robotic myomectomy allows for precise fibroid removal and meticulous suturing, increasing the chances of full-term pregnancy, something not always guaranteed with traditional surgery. Endometriosis patients, too, benefit from improved pelvic anatomy restoration, reduced pain, and a better shot at conceiving naturally.

And while the upfront cost of robotic surgery still raises eyebrows, Dr Sinha points out that it’s an investment with returns: shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and speedier returns to daily life. “Within a few days, many patients are back on their feet and return to work,” she says.

The New-Age Patient

According to Dr Sinha, today’s Indian woman is informed, outcome-driven, and unwilling to settle for outdated surgical methods. She asks better questions and demands better options and robotic-assisted surgery is increasingly stepping up as a modern, evidence-based choice rather than an unattainable luxury.

The Truth Behind the Myths

Over in the oncology wing, Dr Arun Kumar Giri, Director of Surgical Oncology at Aakash Healthcare, sees similar misconceptions playing out. “Beliefs about autonomous robotic surgery or its applicability to complex cases may dissuade people from pursuing this revolutionary treatment,” he says.

MYTH: Robotic surgery is experimental and unsafe for gynaecological operations.

FACT: Dr Giri points out that robotic surgery has been around for more than two decades, backed by substantial research and clinical trials. In disciplines including gynaecology, it has shown lower complication rates and better patient outcomes than standard open surgery.

MYTH: Robotic surgery is completely automated and doesn’t need a surgeon.

FACT: “This is not correct,” Dr Giri says firmly. Robotic systems are sophisticated tools, nothing more, nothing less, always operated by a trained surgeon from a console. The robot doesn’t make decisions or perform surgery on its own; instead, it enhances a human surgeon’s precision and control.

From fibroids to fertility and from pelvic pain to complex cancer care, robotic surgery is quietly proving itself as one of the most effective, least invasive ways forward. Sure, it’s not a sci-fi robot saving the world single-handedly, but maybe that’s for the best. The best surgeries happen when human skill and robotic precision work hand in hand.