If you’re starting to see jowls, deeper folds, or flattening in your cheeks, you’re probably aware of the two main options: a facelift or dermal fillers.

Both can make you look younger. But they behave very differently over time:

• Facelift: surgical, higher commitment, results measured in years
• Fillers: injectable, quick treatment, results measured in months

This guide from The Kaplan Center in Edgewater, New Jersey, is designed to help you compare how long each option lasts, what they actually do, and when each

Guide:

• Quick answer: Which lasts longer?
• What a facelift actually does
• What dermal fillers actually do
• Facelift vs fillers: longevity side by side
• When fillers make more sense than a facelift
• When a facelift is usually the better long-term investment
• Can you combine a facelift and fillers?
• So which lasts longer: facelift or fillers?

Quick answer: Which lasts longer?

If your main question is “Which lasts longer, facelift or fillers?” the short answer is:

• Facelift results
  
  • Most patients see a noticeable lift and tightening for 10+ years, especially with modern deep-plane and SMAS techniques.
  • The Kaplan Center’s own facelift guide notes that newer, deeper techniques can deliver results lasting up to 15 years, with most patients noticing benefits for over 10 years.
• Filler results
  
  • Hyaluronic acid fillers (like Juvéderm) are FDA-approved to last up to 1 year in many treatment areas, with some thicker formulas, such as those used in the cheeks, lasting up to 24 months.
  • In real life, most patients see their filler soften over 6–18 months, depending on the product, the area, and the patient’s metabolism.

So purely on longevity, facelift surgery will outlast fillers by many years.

The better question is: what are you trying to fix, and how long do you want to go between treatments?

What a facelift actually does

A facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens the deeper tissues and skin of the face (and often the neck) to restore a more youthful contour.

At The Kaplan Center, facelift surgery:

• Targets cheeks, jowls, jawline, and neck
• Repositions deeper tissue (SMAS/deep plane techniques) rather than just pulling skin
• Is customized with options like mini facelift, mid-facelift, deep plane facelift, and neck lift

How long does a facelift last?   

Based on both published data and The Kaplan Center’s own facelift page:

• Most patients notice a visible improvement for 10+ years
• Advanced techniques can offer results lasting up to 15 years, especially deep-plane or SMAS approaches
• You continue to age, but you generally age from a more youthful starting point

Factors that affect how long your facelift lasts:

• Skin quality (thickness, elasticity, sun damage)
• Age and degree of sagging at the time of surgery
• Type of facelift performed
• Lifestyle: smoking, sun exposure, weight changes, skincare routine

To see what a facelift can achieve and the different techniques Dr. Kaplan offers, visit our main Facelift in New Jersey page.

What dermal fillers actually do

Dermal fillers are injectable gels used to:

• Restore lost volume in the cheeks, temples, and under-eyes
• Soften folds and lines (nasolabial folds, marionette lines)
• Refine features like lips and chin

At The Kaplan Center, Dr. Kaplan uses the Juvéderm® family of hyaluronic acid fillers and other fillers tailored to your needs. The Juvéderm range is FDA-approved to provide smooth, long-lasting correction for up to one year in many areas.

Fillers work by adding volume, not by lifting and tightening the facial support structures. They are excellent for:

• Early volume loss
• Fine lines and folds
• Subtle contouring
• Patients who aren’t ready for surgery yet

How long do fillers last?

Longevity depends on:

• Product used
• Injection depth and area
• How expressive that area is
• Your metabolism and lifestyle

Approximate ranges:

• Lips: often 6–12 months
• Nasolabial folds/marionette lines: 9–12+ months
• Cheeks/midface (thicker fillers): 12–24 months in some patients
• Over time, all hyaluronic acid fillers are gradually absorbed and require repeat treatments
  

To learn more about the Juvéderm® family of fillers that Dr. Kaplan offers, visit our Juvéderm in New Jersey page.

Facelift vs fillers: longevity side by side

Concern/Goal	Better long-term option	Typical longevity
Sagging jowls, neck & heavy lower face	Facelift	10–15 years
Deep nasolabial folds & marionette	Facelift for liftFillers as a top-up	Facelift: 10+ yrsFiller: 9–12 months
Early volume loss in the cheeks	Fillers firstFacelift later	12–24 months (cheek fillers)
Fine lines around the mouth	Fillers	6–12 months

When fillers make more sense than a facelift

Fillers are often the better starting point if:

• You are in your 30s or early 40s with mild volume loss and fine lines
• Your main concern is folds, small hollows, or lip definition, not sagging skin
• You want a short appointment, minimal downtime, and the ability to “try” a softer, younger look first
• You are okay with maintenance treatments every year or so

Example situations where fillers shine:

• Smoothing parentheses (smile) lines and marionette lines
• Restoring cheek volume for a more lifted look without surgery
• Refining the contour around the mouth and chin

When a facelift is usually the better long-term investment

Facelift surgery tends to be the better fit if:

• You see clear jowls and loss of jawline definition
• You have loose skin in the lower face and neck that no longer responds well to fillers
• You’ve been doing fillers for years and feel you’re “chasing” results more often
• You want one bigger procedure with results lasting a decade or longer
  

A facelift:

• Lifts and repositions deeper tissues, rather than filling the skin from underneath
• Addresses skin laxity, which fillers cannot fix once sagging is moderate to severe
• Often reduces the amount of filler you need later on, because the underlying support is restored

Can you combine a facelift and fillers?

Yes, and this is often where you get the most natural, long-lasting result.

Common strategy:

• Use facelift surgery to:
  • Lift heavy jowls and neck
  • Restore jawline and cheek position
• Use fillers afterwards to:
  • Fine-tune volume in specific areas (cheeks, lips, temples)
  • Refresh the face as you age over the next decade
    

This combined approach lines up with the Kaplan Center’s overall philosophy: surgery for structure and lift, non-surgical treatments for finishing and maintenance.

So which lasts longer: facelift or fillers?

Putting it all together:

• If longevity is your top priority:
  A facelift clearly lasts longer, with many patients enjoying results for 10–15 years.
• If you want flexibility and a softer entry point:
  Fillers give fast improvements with no surgery, but you should expect regular maintenance every 6–18 months.

The right choice often isn’t “one or the other” forever. Many patients in Edgewater and across New Jersey:

1. Start with fillers while aging changes are mild
   
2. Transition to a facelift once sagging and jowls develop
   
3. Use smaller amounts of filler after a facelift as a long-term maintenance tool
   

Choosing between facelift and fillers at The Kaplan Center in Edgewater, NJ

Dr. Gordon Kaplan is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in facial rejuvenation, offering both facelift surgery and advanced dermal filler treatments at The Kaplan Center’s Edgewater, NJ and New York City offices.

During your consultation, you can expect:

• A detailed assessment of your facial structure and skin quality
• Honest discussion of how long your results are likely to last with each option
• A plan that may include a facelift, fillers, or a combination, depending on your goals, timeline, and comfort level