Aging brings unflattering changes to our facial features. As collagen and elastin - our skin’s building blocks - degrade, we lose our youthful softness, plumpness, and glow. The signs of aging are particularly visible in the mid-face or cheek area. Thinner, sunken cheeks and pronounced lines between the nose and the mouth (nasolabial folds) give us a tired, older expression.
Surgical lifts are one solution to restoring youthful features. However, they are expensive, risky, and require taking time off to recover. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments are modern alternatives to surgery. They provide similar results but involve safer and less expensive procedures.
This article explores one of the most popular cosmetic treatments for the mid-face area – cheek fillers. Read on to find out what cheek fillers are, how they work, and what you can expect from the treatment.
What Are Cheek Fillers?
Cheek fillers are dermal filler injectables that rebuild fat in sunken cheeks, fill nasolabial folds, and restore youthful facial contours. The injections contain active ingredients that act as fat fillers and rebuild lost collagen. The procedure is quick, safe, and provides natural-looking results that typically last up to 18 months.
Note: Find out what are the benefits of collagen for the skin.
Cheek Filler Types
The FDA approved two types of dermal fillers for the cheek area:
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Cheek Fillers
Hyaluronic acid can attract and hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. This characteristic of HA makes it excellent at volumizing sunken areas underneath the skin.
HA-based fillers are biocompatible because our bodies naturally produce this compound and are, therefore, well tolerated. They dissolve over time, but if the patient is unhappy with the results, they can get the filler dissolved quickly using the enzyme hyaluronidase.
Medical providers commonly use Juvéderm Voluma XC and Restylane Lyft fillers to augment the patients’ cheeks and smooth wrinkles in the mid-face area. The results are immediate.
Poly-L-Lactic Acid Cheek Fillers
Sculptra Aesthetic is a poly-L-lactic acid-based filler used for mid-face contouring and cheek volumizing. Poly-L-lactic acid stimulates the body to produce collagen, which may take a few months. The effects of Sculptra are gradual but last longer.
Note: Learn more about the best fillers for cheeks.
The Benefits of Cheek Fillers
Cheek fillers are popular because they provide a range of benefits.
- Minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure
- No downtime
- Augmented cheeks
- Improved mid-face contours
- Improved appearance of nasolabial folds
- Rejuvenated skin
- Natural-looking results
- Long-lasting results
Who Is a Good Candidate for Cheek Fillers?
You are a good candidate for cheek fillers if you want to treat aging-related volume loss in your cheeks or reduce wrinkles and folds in the mid-face area.
You need to be generally healthy. Health issues that can disqualify patients from the treatment are:
- Bleeding disorders
- Skin infections
- Keloid or hypertrophic scars
- Allergies to dermal filler ingredients
The treatment is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
Note: Read our article and find out how to treat Keloid and hypertrophic acne scars. Learn what other types of acne scars are there and how they form.
How to Prepare for the Cheek Filler Procedure?
The first step is to consult your chosen medical provider about the details of the treatment. You’ll discuss your desired goals, the right product for your needs, the required injection amount, and the total cost of the procedure. You also need to disclose your medical records and information about your current medical state.
If you are eligible for the treatment, the doctor may ask you to discontinue using certain medications and supplements, such as blood-thinners. The general advise for dermal filler patients is to avoid alcohol for several days and more invasive cosmetic treatments (e.g. chemical peels) for several weeks.
What Can You Expect During the Cheek Filler Procedure?
Cheek fillers are a quick cosmetic procedure, typically performed in under 30 minutes.
The medical provider first cleans the treatment area with rubbing alcohol and marks the injection sites. They inject the filler and gently massage the area to prevent any asymmetries and the formation of lumps.
Cheek filler treatments cause minimal or no pain because they are mixed with lidocaine, an anesthetic that numbs the treatment area. Patients with a low pain threshold can also ask their medical provider to apply a numbing cream on the treatment area before the procedure.
Patients can resume their daily activities after the treatment, with a few exceptions (e.g., working out for the first 24 hours).
Cheek Filler Results
Cheek fillers volumize the mid-face area, augment the cheeks, and reduce wrinkles.
The results of Juvéderm HA-based fillers are immediate, but side effects like bruising and swelling may mask them. You’ll notice the full results when the side effects subside, usually after one week.
Sculptra provides more gradual results because it takes time to rebuild lost collagen.
How Long Does Cheek Filler Last?
According to filler manufacturers, Restylane Lyft can last up to 12 months, and Juvéderm Voluma and Sculptra up to 24 months. Many patients report enjoying cheek fillers for longer than expected.
Can You Get Cheek Fillers Removed?
The body naturally dissolves cheek fillers within six to 24 months.
If you don’t like your new look or you think you have too much cheek filler, there are options available. If your medical provider used a hyaluronic acid-based cheek filler like Juvéderm Voluma or Restylane Lyft, you can have the fillers dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase.
Cheek Fillers: Aftercare
You can resume your daily activities right after a cheek filler treatment, but there are a few things to avoid if you want to ensure the filler settles in properly.
- Avoid workouts for 24 hours.
- Don’t book any laser treatments for two weeks.
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for several days.
- Don’t sleep on your stomach or sides.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours.
- Don’t rub or press the treated area.
Cheek Fillers Side Effects
Cheek fillers are generally safe but can cause mild side effects such as:
- Redness
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Itching
- Numbness
- Pain
These side effects are short-lived and usually disappear within a week.
Serious side effects are very rare and include:
- Filler leakage
- Tissue death
- Injury to blood vessels
- Vision loss
You can avoid serious side effects of cheek dermal filler treatments by going to a fully licensed and experienced medical provider.
Note: Learn more about the reasons behind bruising after cheek filler and find out how to prevent it.
Cheek Fillers: Cost
At Vibrant Skin Bar, Juvéderm Voluma costs $850 per syringe, Restylane Lyft costs $749 per syringe, and Sculptra costs $900 per vial. One vial contains the same amount as approximately four HA-based filler syringes.
Consult our skin experts for an accurate analysis of your skin issue, the amount of cheek filler you’ll need, and the total cost of the procedure.
Conclusion
Cheek fillers have become a common treatment for mid-face aging signs. They’re popular because they are safe and provide natural, long-lasting results. If you’re considering the cheek filler treatment, choose a reputable skin expert with extensive experience injecting dermal fillers.
