If you’re thinking about having Lanluma, one of the biggest questions you may have is how long it actually takes to see results. You might already know that Lanluma is different from traditional dermal fillers because it stimulates collagen rather than providing instant volume. This difference often leads to curiosity, impatience, or even confusion about when you’ll start noticing changes. Many people choose Lanluma because they want gradual, natural-looking enhancement, but they still want to know the timeline and what to expect during each stage.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the full results timeline, from the moment the product is injected to the point where your collagen has fully developed. I’ll explain what happens inside your skin during each stage, why results vary from person to person, and what you can do to support your body’s collagen-building process. I’ll also break down the factors that influence how quickly Lanluma works, and I’ll help you understand what “normal progress” looks like so that you can feel confident and reassured throughout the journey.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear picture of the Lanluma timeline and the science behind it, making it easier for you to decide whether this treatment aligns with your expectations.
Understanding How Lanluma Works Before Looking at the Timeline
If you want to understand how Lanluma develops over time, it helps to know how poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) behaves inside your skin. Lanluma doesn’t act like hyaluronic acid fillers, which provide immediate fullness. Instead, it triggers a natural response that encourages your skin to rebuild collagen gradually.
PLLA microparticles are injected into the deeper layers of your skin or body tissue, depending on the area being treated. Once inside, these particles act as a supportive scaffold. Your body recognises them as safe and begins building collagen fibres around them. This process takes time, and it’s entirely dependent on your body’s biological response.
Because of this mechanism, Lanluma results feel incredibly natural. The changes appear slowly, which means people often look refreshed without anyone guessing they’ve had a cosmetic treatment. This gradual improvement is one of the reasons many people choose Lanluma, especially for areas where subtle enhancement is preferred.
Why Lanluma Takes Longer to Work Than Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers give instant results because they physically occupy space. Lanluma works differently because it doesn’t fill it instructs your skin to fill itself. Collagen building is a biological process that can’t be rushed, and this inherent delay is part of what makes Lanluma so unique.
Your results depend on:
How fast your body produces collagen – Individual collagen production varies with age, genetics, and overall health, affecting how quickly you see improvements.
How dense your tissues naturally are – Thicker or firmer skin may take slightly longer to show visible changes, while thinner tissue may respond faster.
The area being treated – Some regions, like the cheeks, may respond quicker than others, such as the jawline or temples, due to differences in vascularity and tissue composition.
The amount of product used – Larger volumes or multiple sessions can stimulate more collagen but may also extend the time before final results are noticeable.
Your skincare and lifestyle habits – Good hydration, nutrition, sleep, and avoiding smoking or excessive sun exposure support collagen formation and enhance treatment outcomes.
Although this process takes longer, the results tend to be more durable than traditional fillers because the collagen you create is your own. Once established, these fibres support your skin’s structure for years, giving a natural and long-lasting improvement.
The Lanluma Results Timeline: What You Can Expect Week by Week
Every person’s journey is slightly different, but most people follow a predictable pattern. Understanding each stage will help you set realistic expectations and recognise progress even when it feels subtle.
Days 1–7: Immediate Changes and Early Healing
In the first few days after your Lanluma treatment, you might notice some swelling or a sense of fullness, but this isn’t the actual volumising effect it’s just the liquid used to deliver the PLLA particles. This initial swelling naturally subsides within a few days, and it’s common to feel as though the volume has “disappeared.” This is completely normal and doesn’t mean your treatment isn’t working.
During this early period, you may experience mild swelling, tenderness, temporary unevenness, or a slight firmness in the treated area. Even though visible changes aren’t apparent yet, your skin is already responding internally. Collagen production is beginning, and the PLLA particles are settling into place, laying the groundwork for gradual, natural-looking results.
Weeks 2–4: The Collagen Activation Phase Begins
Around two to four weeks after your Lanluma treatment, subtle changes may start to appear. Many people notice a gentle “softening” or slight improvement in contour rather than a dramatic transformation. During this phase, your fibroblasts the cells responsible for collagen production are actively organising around the PLLA particles to support gradual volumisation.
You might observe slight lifting, gentle contouring, improved firmness, or smoother skin texture. If your treatment targeted areas like the hips or buttocks, you may also feel some internal tightness as new collagen begins to form, signalling that your body is responding to the treatment from within.
Weeks 4–8: Noticeable, Progressive Improvement
Between four and eight weeks after treatment, many people start to see real, visible changes. Collagen fibres are thickening and filling out the treated areas, creating natural-looking volume that comes from your own tissue rather than a traditional filler.
During this phase, you may notice better definition, increased firmness, improved symmetry, natural-looking volume, and reduced dimpling in body areas. If your treatment plan involves multiple sessions, your practitioner may schedule the next appointment during this period to build further on these results.
Months 2–3: Strong Collagen Development and Visible Results
Around two to three months after your Lanluma treatment, the effects become more noticeable, and many patients start receiving compliments or feeling more confident in the mirror. By this stage, collagen production is in full swing, supporting lasting, natural-looking improvements.
You’ll likely observe fuller, rounder contours, smoother skin texture, reduced hollowness, and improved skin elasticity. This is the phase where Lanluma’s collagen-stimulating effects are most apparent, giving subtle yet impactful results that continue to develop over time.
Months 3–6: Peak Lanluma Results
Between three and six months after your treatment, you’ll typically reach the peak of Lanluma’s effects. By now, your collagen network is fully developed, and the treated areas have achieved their optimal shape and volume. Many patients find this stage the most satisfying, as the results look naturally balanced and sculpted.
During this period, you can expect maximum collagen formation, stable and long-lasting improvement, enhanced skin thickness, and refined contouring. For most people, subtle enhancements continue up to around six months, giving a gradual, natural transformation.
Months 6–24: Long-Lasting, Natural-Looking Results
One of the key benefits of Lanluma is its longevity. While collagen production peaks around six months, the new fibres continue to support your skin’s structure for up to two years or more.
Over time, the improvements may gradually soften as your body naturally remodels collagen, but most patients enjoy sustained, natural-looking enhancement throughout this period. Additional touch-up sessions can help maintain or extend your results even further.
Why Some People See Results Faster Than Others
Lanluma is not a one-speed treatment. Your personal timeline may differ based on several factors. Some people see improvements within a few weeks, while others need several months to notice visible changes. Both scenarios are normal.
Your speed of improvement depends on:
Your Age – Younger patients tend to build collagen more quickly. Older patients still develop excellent results but may notice changes at a slower pace.
Your Skin Thickness and Elasticity – People with denser or more elastic tissue often respond faster because their skin has a strong structural foundation for collagen development.
The Treated Area – Smaller facial areas show results earlier than large body areas because the collagen network is smaller and forms more quickly.
Your Overall Health and Lifestyle – Smoking, high stress, poor sleep, and dehydration can slow collagen production. A balanced lifestyle supports better results.
Your Treatment Plan – More sessions often mean more collagen stimulation and stronger results, especially for large areas such as the hips or buttocks.
These factors help explain why no two Lanluma journeys look exactly the same.
How Many Lanluma Sessions Do You Need to See Results?
While one session can create noticeable changes, most people need multiple treatments to achieve their ideal outcome. The number of sessions varies depending on your goals and the area being treated.
For facial rejuvenation, one to two sessions may be enough. For larger body treatments, you may need two to four sessions. Each session builds on the previous one, allowing collagen to accumulate gradually.
Your practitioner will advise you based on your individual needs. The aim is to create a natural-looking progression rather than an abrupt or exaggerated change.
What You Can Do to Help Lanluma Work More Effectively
Although your body does most of the work, there are several things you can do to support the collagen-building process.
Follow Your Massage Instructions Carefully – Massage is essential because it prevents the PLLA particles from clumping and encourages even collagen distribution. Your practitioner will give you a specific massage routine to follow for several days after treatment.
Stay Hydrated – Your skin needs hydration to produce healthy collagen fibres. Drinking enough water supports smoother, more stable results.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle – Sleep, diet, stress levels, and exercise all influence collagen production. Supporting your health can help your results develop more efficiently.
Use Collagen-Friendly Skincare – Topical ingredients such as vitamin C and retinoids may help support your skin’s natural collagen processes, but only use them if approved by your practitioner.
Avoid Smoking – Smoking harms collagen and slows healing, which can affect both the speed and quality of your results.
By following these steps, you give yourself the best chance of achieving beautiful results in the shortest timeframe possible.
Does Lanluma Ever Work Too Slowly?
Some people become concerned if they don’t see major changes after the first few weeks. This is completely normal. Lanluma is not designed to provide instant gratification. It’s designed to create long-lasting improvement through gradual collagen growth.
If you aren’t seeing a noticeable difference after two months, it doesn’t mean the treatment has failed. It may simply mean that your body is responding more slowly. Many of these patients see excellent results by the three- or four-month mark.
If you are still unsure, your practitioner can evaluate your progress and recommend whether an additional session may help.
Lanluma vs Hyaluronic Acid: Understanding the Timing Differences
If you’re familiar with hyaluronic acid fillers, you may expect instant results, but Lanluma works differently. While hyaluronic acid adds immediate volume, Lanluma gradually stimulates your own collagen, so improvements appear more slowly over time.
Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last 6–18 months and sit within the tissue to provide instant plumpness. In contrast, Lanluma takes weeks to months to show visible results, but these changes are subtle and natural-looking as your own collagen develops.
The slower timeline of Lanluma can feel unfamiliar at first, but the benefits are long-lasting. Results can last up to two years or more, giving a more enduring and harmonious improvement compared with temporary fillers.
Understanding this difference helps set realistic expectations. While hyaluronic acid offers quick gratification, Lanluma prioritises longevity and natural enhancement, making it a preferred choice for those seeking gradual, lasting results.
Understanding the Timeline for Body Treatments vs Facial Treatments
Lanluma is used for both facial contouring and body sculpting, but the results timeline differs because the tissues behave differently.
Facial Areas – Faces tend to show results sooner. The collagen network is smaller and easier to remodel. Most people notice visible changes between four and eight weeks.
Body Areas – Areas like the hips, buttocks, or thighs require more collagen to create noticeable volume. This means the timeline can extend to three to six months.
Regardless of the area, the results look incredibly natural because they come from your own collagen fibres rather than an injected filler.
How Long Will Your Lanluma Results Last?
Lanluma results generally last much longer than traditional hyaluronic acid fillers. Most people enjoy enhanced volume, improved firmness, and better facial contour for up to two years, with some maintaining results even longer with occasional top-ups.
The longevity of your results depends on factors such as your lifestyle, collagen turnover, the amount of product used, the area treated, and your age. These elements influence how quickly your natural collagen responds and remodels.
Because Lanluma works by stimulating your own collagen, the results fade gradually rather than disappearing suddenly. This slow, natural progression helps maintain a subtle, refreshed appearance over time.
By understanding these factors, you can set realistic expectations and plan follow-up treatments to prolong your results and keep your look harmonious.
When You Should Consider a Top-Up Treatment
Top-up sessions are designed to maintain your Lanluma results and keep collagen production active. Many people find that scheduling maintenance treatments every 12–18 months helps refresh the treated areas.
These smaller sessions extend the lifespan of your results and ensure your facial contours remain smooth and natural-looking. They are less intensive than the initial treatment but highly effective for long-term maintenance.
Your practitioner will assess your progress and advise on the optimal timing for a top-up. Individual factors like age, lifestyle, and how your collagen responds will influence when a follow-up is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How soon will I see changes after Lanluma treatment?
Most patients notice subtle improvements within two to four weeks, though visible results are usually minimal in the first few days. Early changes are primarily due to mild swelling from the injection itself, rather than actual collagen stimulation. The body begins producing collagen around the PLLA particles immediately, but this process is gradual, and significant visual improvements typically appear over several weeks as the new collagen network develops beneath the skin.
2. When do Lanluma results reach their peak?
Lanluma results generally peak between three to six months after treatment. By this stage, the collagen network has fully formed around the PLLA scaffold, giving the treated areas optimal volume, firmness, and contour. The effects are subtle, natural-looking, and blend seamlessly with your existing tissue. Patients often report that this period reflects the most noticeable improvement, while earlier weeks show only gradual change.
3. How long do Lanluma results last?
Lanluma provides long-lasting outcomes because it works by stimulating the body’s own collagen rather than introducing temporary volume. Results typically last up to two years, with some patients maintaining effects even longer, depending on factors such as age, metabolism, lifestyle, and the treated area. Unlike traditional fillers, Lanluma fades gradually, giving a natural progression rather than a sudden disappearance of volume.
4. Does the treated area affect how quickly results appear?
Yes, the area being treated can influence the timeline. Facial regions, particularly the cheeks and mid-face, tend to respond faster because the collagen network is smaller and more easily remodelled. Body areas such as the hips, buttocks, or thighs usually require more collagen for noticeable change, so results may take longer, sometimes up to three to six months, before full improvement is visible.
5. Why do some people see results faster than others?
Individual differences in collagen production, tissue density, age, and overall health contribute to variation in response times. Younger patients or those with healthier, more elastic skin often notice faster improvements. Lifestyle factors, including nutrition, hydration, sleep quality, and avoidance of smoking, also play a significant role in collagen formation and can influence how quickly results develop.
6. How many Lanluma sessions are usually needed?
The number of sessions depends on treatment goals and the area being treated. For facial rejuvenation, one to two sessions may suffice, while larger body treatments often require two to four sessions. Each session is designed to gradually build collagen, so multiple appointments allow for more controlled and natural results. Your practitioner will create a personalised plan based on your skin’s response and desired outcome.
7. Can I do anything to speed up the results?
Patients can support collagen production through proper aftercare, including following massage instructions to ensure even distribution of PLLA particles, maintaining hydration, and supporting overall health with sleep, balanced nutrition, and reduced stress. Collagen-friendly skincare ingredients such as vitamin C and retinoids may help, provided they are approved by your practitioner. Avoiding smoking and excessive sun exposure also promotes optimal tissue recovery and faster development of results.
8. Is it normal if I don’t see results within the first month?
Yes, it is normal not to see major changes immediately. Lanluma is designed for gradual improvement, and visible results often take several weeks to appear. Even if changes are subtle in the early stages, collagen is actively forming beneath the skin. By two to three months, most patients begin to see more pronounced improvements, and the effects continue to develop over the following months.
9. How does Lanluma differ from hyaluronic acid fillers in terms of timing?
Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, which provide instant volume by physically occupying space, Lanluma works by stimulating the body to produce collagen gradually. While HA fillers offer immediate but temporary results, Lanluma produces slower, progressive improvement that is long-lasting. This gradual timeline may require more patience, but it creates natural-looking enhancement that ages with your own skin.
10. When should I consider a top-up session?
Top-up sessions are recommended to maintain or enhance results, typically every 12–18 months depending on individual response. These sessions are smaller than the initial treatment and help refresh collagen production without overfilling the area. Your practitioner will monitor your progress and advise the optimal timing, ensuring your results remain smooth, natural, and long-lasting.
Final Thought: Lanluma Results and Next Steps
Understanding the timeline for Lanluma results helps set realistic expectations and ensures you appreciate the gradual, natural improvement this treatment provides. While results appear slowly compared with traditional fillers, the collagen your body produces gives long-lasting, subtle enhancement that blends seamlessly with your natural contours. Following proper aftercare, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and attending recommended sessions can support optimal results.
If you’re considering a Lanluma treatment in London, you can contact us at London Medical & Aesthetic Clinic to book a consultation with one of our specialists. They can guide you on the best approach for your individual needs and help you achieve the most natural, long-lasting outcomes.
References:
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2. Ao, Y.-J. et al. “Application of PLLA (Poly‑L‑Lactic Acid) for Rejuvenation: Collagen Dynamics up to Six Months After Injection.” Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10939544/
3. Signori, R. et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Poly‑L‑Lactic Acid in Facial Aesthetics: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.” Polymers, 2024. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/18/2564
4. Innocenti, A. et al. “Injectable Poly‑L‑Lactic Acid (PLLA‑SCA™) as a Versatile Biostimulator: Collagen Deposition and Duration of Effect.” Cosmetics, 2025. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/12/6/264
5. Chen, M.-C., Chang, C.-C., Wu, C.-L. et al., 2024. “Augmenting dermal collagen synthesis through hyaluronic acid‑based microneedle‑mediated delivery of poly(l‑lactic acid) microspheres”, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Volume 281, Article 136311. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813024071204
