Do you feel embarrassed about your cheekbones dropping or want full cheeks and a bright face that makes you look younger? Cheek fillers may be the perfect solution to restore skin youth and smooth wrinkles and fine lines.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 3.4 million cheek filler injections were performed in 2023 alone, and more than 3 million people choose it each year in the United States. This underscores the importance of this procedure in preserving the shape and youth of the face, as cheekbones account for 70% of facial beauty and this is a significant proportion.
Let us take a closer look at cheek filler and its importance and how long it lasts, through this article.
What are cheek fillers?
Cheek fillers is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that involves injecting the area around your cheekbones and above them with a safe gel-like substance, giving your cheeks a full, lifted and more youthful look.
Cheek filler lifts and restores the volume of cheeks as well as refills slight hollowness or sagging due to weight loss or age.
Types of cheek filler are multiple, but the right type for you is determined by your doctor or plastic surgeon. Usually it takes less than half an hour to perform cheek filler depending on the type of filler used as well as your goal from injection, and the results can last up to a year or more.
Types of cheek fillers
There are several different types of approved materials used as cheek filler, such as hyaluronic acid, which is a substance found naturally in the connective tissue of the human body (Natural cheek filler), There is also polylactic acid which is another option that stimulates collagen in the body, so it gives gradual results, not immediate. They are used safely in the cheek area and under the eyes, and are fillers that give provisional results.
What are the uses of cheek filler?
Filler cheeks can address many cosmetic concerns such as:
- Definition and enhancement of cheekbones (Cheek enhancement fillers).
- Increase the fullness of slight hollows (Hollow cheeks filler) and restore the volume lost due to age (Cheek augmentation filler).
- Correct asymmetry between cheeks.
- Fill wrinkles.
- Smoothing and filling fine lines.
Cheek fillers before and after
This image demonstrates the transformative power of cheek filler. By adding volume and lifting the cheeks, filling in lines and wrinkles, and defining the jawline, these dermal fillers can create a more youthful and confident appearance.
What are the benefits of cheek fillers?
Compared to other treatment options, such as cheek transplant or surgical facelift, cheeks filler has many obvious features and benefits as follows:
- This procedure takes less than half an hour using local anaesthetic only.
- The recovery time of the cheek filler is short, and many people can perform their normal activities on the same day as injection.
- The effect of cheek filler lasts for months or years, it gives a temporary rather than permanent result, and this is appropriate for people who worry about dissatisfaction with the end result.
- Cheek filler is a large proportion safe, as it is very low for a person to develop complications or infections.
- Cheek filler can be adjusted after injection, meaning that the doctor can add more filler at the injection site until it reaches the desired result.
- To further identify the cheeks, filler is less expensive and invasive than conventional cosmetic surgeries.
You may need to know about: Lip Fillers: Achieving the Perfect Pout
Where are cheek fillers injected?
Cheek filler injection points are:
Malar Area
This area is located around the cheek bones, and when the filler is injected into this area enhances the prominence of the cheek bones and creates clearer features, and for a perfect result, the filler is injected deep to settle directly on the bones giving a noticeable height to the cheek and increasing its size.
Submalar Area
Located below the cheek bones, this area may sometimes appear hollow or sunken due to loss of volume because of aging, the full and young cheek appearance can be restored by filler injection in this area.
Anterior Cheek Area
This area is located in front of malar and submalar areas and extends towards the nose. It is an ideal area for treating deep lines such as nasolabial folds. Fillers are usually injected accurately in small and multiple subcutaneous locations to achieve natural and consistent results.
Injection methods and exact locations may vary based on anatomy of the face that varies from individual to individual as well as skin health and desired results.
Are cheek fillers safe?
Cheek filler is a low-risk procedure, and its recovery time is very short, but this does not mean that it does not include some side effects like any cosmetic procedure.
Common cheek fillers side effects include:
- Swelling
- Bruises
- Itching
- Redness
All types of facial filler generally have a slight risk of allergic reaction or infection.
Other less common side effects include:
- Filler leakage
- Tissue death due to blockage of blood vessels
- Loss of sight
There is also a risk of injected materials moving to other parts of the face, causing a lumpy or asymmetric appearance, and if this happens, your doctor may inject another material to dissolve the filler, or simply wait for the filler to decompose on its own.
You can also read about: Dermal Fillers: Enhancing Natural Beauty Across Different Face Areas
Frequently asked questions on cheek filler
What to avoid after cheek fillers? Or What not to do after cheek fillers?
There are many things you should avoid after injecting filler into the cheeks including:
- Avoid sleeping on your face or cheeks.
- Avoid exercising or extreme activities, such as lifting weights from at least one to two days.
- Avoid bathing or washing the face with hot water, while warm water can be used.
- Avoid pressing the area, using coarse materials or applying makeup for 24 hours.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours.
How long cheek fillers last? Or How long does cheek filler last?
While individual results may vary, cheek filler can last between 6 to 18 months depending on the type of filler used.
Who is not a good candidate for cheek fillers?
You should avoid cheek filler if you:
- have bleeding disorders.
- are allergic to synthetic compounds used in filler materials.
- are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Will cheek fillers lift my face?
The great thing about the cheek filler is that it gives an immediate lift to the lower part of the face and a natural, more youthful and fresh look without having to undergo cosmetic surgery.
Filler can clearly refill the cheek hollows and lift the cheekbones and the lower part of the face while filling the fine lines and wrinkles, and if the patient has severe sagging and prolapse in the skin, the doctor is also likely to recommend jawline filler.
How to reduce swelling after cheek fillers?
For optimal results when eliminating swelling and bruising, it is recommended to lightly place cold compresses or a bag of ice on the treated area for 15-20 minutes.
How to sleep after cheek fillers?
As much as possible, avoid sleeping on your face for at least a week after cheek filler treatment. You can sleep on your back, keeping your head up.