When you are weighing up the cost of a treatment, how long it lasts matters as much as the price. The honest answer for Endolift is that results can last up to 2 years. That is a wide range, and this article explains why, what you can do to help, and how Endolift compares with other options over time.
Why Endolift results last at all
Endolift uses a 1470 nm laser delivered through a very fine fibre beneath the skin. It works in 3 ways, and each has a different timescale.
- Immediate tightening. Heat contracts the fibrous septa, the bands that connect skin to the deeper tissues. Part of this effect is visible on the day.
- Fat reduction. Small deposits of fat, for example under the chin, can be liquefied. Fat cells that are removed do not come back, although remaining fat cells can grow if you gain weight.
- Collagen remodelling. Over the following months, weaker Type III collagen is gradually replaced by stronger Type I collagen. This is why results build for around 6 months.
The remodelled collagen gives the skin better support than it had before treatment. It does not stop the ageing process, though. Your skin carries on ageing from its new starting point.
What affects how long results last
| Factor | Effect on longevity |
|---|---|
| Age | Younger skin usually responds with more collagen and holds results longer. |
| Skin quality | Thicker, healthier skin tends to hold tightening better than very thin or sun damaged skin. |
| Weight stability | Significant weight gain or loss after treatment can change the area and shorten results. |
| Sun exposure | Ultraviolet light breaks down collagen, so regular sun exposure works against the result. |
| Smoking | Smoking damages collagen and slows healing, which generally shortens results. |
| Degree of laxity | Mild to moderate laxity responds best. Heavier skin may show less change and lose it sooner. |
None of these factors predicts an exact number of months for any individual. They simply explain why 2 people treated on the same day can see different outcomes.
Why clinics quote different figures
You may see claims online that Endolift lasts much longer than 2 years. Be cautious. Longevity depends heavily on the person, the area, the device and the technique, and there is no single figure that applies to everyone. A careful clinic will give you a range and explain what affects it, rather than a single impressive number. If a figure sounds much better than the range given here, ask what evidence it is based on and how results were measured.
How to help your results last longer
You cannot stop ageing, but you can avoid speeding it up.
- Protect your skin from the sun every day with high factor sun protection.
- Keep your weight as stable as you reasonably can.
- Avoid smoking, or stop if you can.
- Look after your skin with a sensible routine. Our article on skincare after Endolift covers what is useful.
- Keep your review appointment, so the result can be judged fairly from photos taken in the same light and position.
What fading actually looks like
Patients sometimes imagine that results disappear suddenly. That is not what usually happens. The remodelled collagen does not vanish. Instead, the normal ageing process continues around it, so the skin gradually loosens again at roughly its usual pace. Many people find that, years later, they still look better than they would have done without treatment, because they started from a firmer base.
The areas treated also behave differently. Fat that was reduced under the chin tends to stay reduced if weight is stable. Skin laxity along the jowls and neck is more affected by ageing, sun and gravity, so this is usually where any softening is noticed first. For more on how jowls change after treatment, see jowls and jawline.
Can Endolift be repeated?
Endolift is usually a single session. When the effect starts to soften, some people consider a further treatment to refresh it. Whether that makes sense depends on how your skin has changed, and it should be assessed in the same way as the first treatment. If skin has become heavy and hanging, surgery may by then be a better option.
How Endolift compares over time
Longevity should be considered alongside what each treatment does. A surgical facelift in London usually costs £7,000 or more and generally lasts longer, but involves incisions and a longer recovery. Endolift at TK Medispa costs from £1,500 for a single face area to £2,500 for the full face, with results lasting up to 2 years. Treatments such as filler work differently again, restoring volume rather than tightening.
For a detailed comparison, see Endolift or a facelift: what each costs over 10 years, and the site page comparing Endolift with a facelift. You can also see full prices on the cost page.
Dr Seth's view "I tell patients to think of Endolift as turning the clock back a little rather than stopping it. Someone with good skin who stays out of the sun, keeps a stable weight and does not smoke will usually hold their result for longer. I would never promise a particular number of years, because everyone's skin ages at its own pace."
Next step
If you would like Dr Seth's view on how long a result might last for your skin, send 3 photos (front, left and right, in natural light) for his free assessment. Send your photos for assessment.
Questions people also ask
Do Endolift results last for ever?
No treatment stops ageing, and Endolift is no exception. Results can last up to 2 years. Fat cells that are removed do not return, and the remodelled collagen gives better support, but the skin keeps ageing naturally from its improved starting point.
When do Endolift results start to fade?
There is no fixed point. Results build for around 6 months, then fade gradually over the following years as natural ageing continues. People with good skin quality, stable weight, careful sun protection and no smoking tend to keep their results for longer than average.
Does Endolift last longer than HIFU?
The 2 treatments work differently. Endolift works beneath the skin through a fine fibre, while HIFU delivers energy through the skin surface. How long either lasts depends heavily on the individual. Our page comparing Endolift with HIFU explains the differences in more detail.
Will losing weight after Endolift affect my result?
It can. Significant weight loss can loosen skin again, and significant weight gain can enlarge remaining fat cells in the area. Results tend to last best when weight stays stable. If you are planning major weight loss, it is usually better to reach your goal before treatment.
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Results vary between individuals and are not guaranteed. Endolift® and LASEmaR® are registered trademarks of Eufoton® S.r.l.