What Can Cheek Fillers Do for Your Face?

Cheek fillers can do more than add volume to the area or make your cheeks appear fuller. When done the right way, these injectables can plump your cheeks and cheekbones, as well as enhance your facial profile. They can even reduce the signs of facial aging for a refreshed and more youthful appearance. 

What is a cheek filler?

Cheek fillers are dermal fillers injected in the midface to add volume to and around the cheek area. These fillers are usually made with hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance found in the body, responsible for retaining moisture within the skin. Its production in the body decreases with age or declines by 2% every year.

The HA in these injectables, of course, is in a synthetic form, created in a lab using a process called bio fermentation. HA fillers plump the tissues, add volume to the cheeks and lips, and reduce the look of lines and wrinkles. The results using this material can last six to 12 months or longer. 

Cheek fillers can also be made with calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), which is also a naturally occurring substance found in the bones. CaHA fillers can add volume and fullness to the cheekbones, as well as smooth deeper lines and folds. The results last about 15 months or even longer. 

What can cheek fillers do?

Cheek fillers can be an effective solution to common complaints associated with facial aging. Whether you’re worried about lost volume, sunken cheeks, less defined cheekbones, or facial asymmetry, cheek fillers can provide a non-surgical solution. 

• Add or restore volume in the cheeks – The skin naturally loses collagen and elastin as we age. Cheek fillers can address this age-related volume loss and help improve the appearance of sunken or flat-looking cheeks. This can then give you a more youthful and refreshed look.
• Lift and define the cheekbones – As fillers fill and smooth out hollow or sagging skin, they can lift your cheeks or the entire face. And as the appearance of sunken cheeks disappears, the cheekbones can look more defined and cushioned.
• Improve facial symmetry – Dermal fillers plump certain areas of the face to make your features look more proportional. Cheek fillers lift and make your cheekbones more prominent, which can then bring more balance to your face.
• Reduce laugh lines – Replacing lost volume in the skin can also minimize the look of lines and wrinkles caused by smiling and other facial expressions. Midface rejuvenation using cheek fillers can restore areas close to the cheeks, including smile lines or nasolabial folds.
• Minimize under eye circles – Sagging cheeks can sometimes cause shadow under the eyes. Cheek fillers can add volume to the cheeks and trough to effectively reduce the shadowing under the eyes. This can also eliminate the tired or sleepy appearance.

What issues CAN’T cheek fillers address?

While cheek fillers are effective in restoring volume loss and defining the cheeks, they cannot address significant sagging or severe hollowing in the cheeks. A consultation with an aesthetic doctor or cosmetic surgeon will let you know if cheek fillers are right for your concerns or if you’ll need a more invasive procedure like a surgical facelift. 

What results can you expect?

The results with cheek fillers are immediate, but you will need to wait for about two weeks for the injectables to fully integrate into the body’s tissues. You may notice some swelling in the area after the treatment, but this is temporary and will subside within three to five days or last for one to two weeks. 

As previously mentioned, the results last several months to a year or more, depending on the type of fillers you choose. HA fillers, especially those that are designed for the cheeks can last about 12 to 18 months or longer in some cases. CaHA fillers, on the other hand, last 15 months up to two years.

What can you do if you’re unhappy with the results?

The good news is that as long as your cheek fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, the results can be reversed. This is done by injecting the area with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which breaks down the HA quickly. This completely dissolves the filler within 24 to 48 hours. 

Hyaluronidase is also used to address incorrect or uneven filler placement, as well as in emergencies or rare cases where the filler was accidentally injected into an artery. Dissolving fillers is not possible with CaHA and other types of synthetic fillers. You will need to wait for the material to be absorbed and metabolized by the body. 

Things to keep in mind when getting dermal fillers

When done right, fillers won’t look overt or too prominent. There will be changes and improvements, but they should be subtle, with people thinking that you look refreshed, well-rested, and younger than they remember. The aim should be a natural look and not a completely obvious change to the point that you don’t look like your previous self. 

Here are a few tips on getting natural-looking results:

• Only see a qualified or experienced injector.
• Know about the fillers to be used on your cheeks.
• Start with a conservative approach. Less is more.
• Follow the pre- and post-care treatment instructions.
• Be wary or avoid discounted deals or too-good-to-be-true prices.

Fillers are considered a medical procedure, so you should not skimp on it or let anyone administer the procedure. It should be done in a clinical setting with a medical practitioner who has gone through education and training, as well as is updated with the recent products and injection techniques.

Our very own Dr. Sylvia Ramirez has years of experience administering injectables such as dermal fillers and botulinum toxin. She also prefers a natural look for her patients and is known for her attention to detail. 

For further reading: 10 Questions to Ask Before Getting Dermal Fillers

Book a consultation with us

If you notice signs of aging on the face or are conscious about sagging cheeks, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor. We will help you learn more about cheek fillers so you can make an informed decision regarding your next steps.