Cheek fillers are a cosmetic procedure to lift your cheekbones, smooth wrinkles, and fine lines and add volume to your face. The filler substance is injected to restore the volume of the area around your cheekbones. It helps in creating a defined bone structure.
Cheek fillers can also be called derma fillers. In this article, we’ll take a deeper dive into the procedure, costs, and side effects of cheek fillers.
Types of Cheek/Dermal Fillers Available
Fillers are classified depending on the substance from which they are made. However, there are several types of fillers used by cosmetic surgeons which are FDA-approved [2]:
- Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
- Polylactic Acid
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA)
- Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
- Polyalkylimide
- Collagen Wrinkle Fillers
- Autologous Fat Injections (Facial Fat Grafting)
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
- Liquid Silicone Oil Injection (Synthetic Filler)
In addition, the most recommended cheek fillers are Hyaluronic Acid (HA) ones like Juvederm, Restylane, and Polylactic Acid, like Sculptra.
Benefits Of Cheek Fillers
There are many pros to cheek fillers. They include the following:-
- It makes you look more youthful and attractive
- It helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles
- Faster recovery time
- The risk level is low
- It is cost-effective compared to other cosmetic procedures
Side Effects Of Cheek Fillers
Cheek fillers are generally considered safe, but there are minor side effects linked to getting cheek fillers. Some common side effects of cheek fillers include slight bruising, swelling, itchiness, and redness.
In some rare cases, cheek fillers can lead to lumps, infections, filler leakage, tissue death, vision loss, asymmetrical appearance, or injury to your veins and arteries.
Cheek Filler Before And After
Here is a quick guide for you to refer to before, during, and after cheek fillers.
Preparation Before The Filler
You need to stop consuming any blood-thinning medication. Inform your doctor beforehand about your condition and do not consume alcohol a couple of days before the treatment.
Seek a healthcare professional’s advice before opting for this procedure if you are on any ongoing medication.
After the Filler Procedure
You can see some results almost immediately after the filler procedure. It will also take 1-2 days for fillers to settle on your face. You can resume work and your usual activities immediately after.
What to Expect After Getting Cheek Fillers
The time for recovery may vary depending upon the patient and the type of filler used. You can return to work and daily activities immediately after the procedure. To reduce swelling and bruising, heavy physical activity should be avoided for the first 24-48 hours.
The treated area will have a voluminous/fuller appearance. You may notice some side effects like redness or numbness for some time, which can be relieved by using ice packs.
It’s best to consult your dermatologist if there is pain or weakness along with swelling or redness.
Cheek Filler Cost (1ml)
The cheek filler costs depend on five factors:
- Location
- Competition
- Experience and skills of the specialist
- Number of injections used in the procedure
- Type of derma filler to use
There is one more factor that you need to consider for overall costing, which is how often you will be repeating the treatment.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons [3], one syringe costs around $682 for hyaluronic acid, $915 for polylactic acid, and $2,100 for fat grafts.
Cheek Filler Injection Points
Cheek fillers can make you look younger with radiant skin. Filler injections are applied above the cheekbones. It can also be injected into the fat pads below the cheek edge [4]. This helps to fill volume in depressed areas and to flatten the nasolabial lines.
Cheek Filler Aftercare For Sleeping
You should avoid sleeping on your cheeks for a few days and sleep on your back until the injection settles down.
Cheek Filler Swelling Stages
Swelling is quite normal after the filler procedure. The filler injections disturb the skin and soft tissue of the area. Swelling is a natural way for the body to heal itself.
In most cases, the swelling is mild, but it differs from person to person. Fillers around the cheeks are placed deeper, just above the bone/cartilage, the tissue is camouflaged, which causes swelling.
The swelling gradually subsides within 24-48 hours. In rare cases, it can last up to 4 weeks.
How Long Do Cheek Fillers Take To Settle?
It usually takes a couple of days for fillers to settle. In a few cases, it may take up to a couple of weeks.
Precautions to be taken for the first few days:
- Do not sleep on your cheeks.
- Avoid sweety and strenuous exercise.
- Avoid touching your face so that you don’t catch any infection.
FAQs
Are Botox and Cheek Fillers the Same?
The only similarity between botox and cheek filler is they both are minimally invasive cosmetic treatments and do not require any surgery.
The key difference is:
Botox: It freezes your muscles to stop wrinkles and creases. It is usually used for the upper face, like the forehead, or around the eye area.
Cheek Fillers: It is done to plump to give extra volume and smoothness to the cheekbones.
The result of botox usually lasts for 3-6 months, while for cheek fillers, it may last for 2 years depending on the product used.
How Long Do Cheek Fillers Last?
Cheek fillers usually last from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the product used.
Where Are Dermal Fillers Used?
Fillers can be used on your cheeks, undereye, wrinkles, smile lift, chin/nose/jaw augmentation, etc.
Does It Make You Age Faster?
Multiple repetitions of fillers within a short period may make you age faster. Fillers should be used in moderation with the natural healing process.
What Is The Right Age To Get Cheek/Derma Fillers?
You can start using fillers in your mid-20s.
Bottomline: Benefits, Risks, & Costs Of Cheek Fillers
Cheek fillers are a minimally invasive technique to add volume to your cheeks and help you to stay young and youthful. It is usually safe and has low adverse effects.
HA-based fillers can be reversed if you do not get desired results. The cost per syringe varies depending on the type of filler, the number of syringes used, and the experience of the specialist.
The results last from 6 months to 2 years. Check if the doctor is using FDA-approved fillers that are properly labeled. Always go for an experienced, licensed, and renowned cosmetic practitioner.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- American Society Of Plastic Surgeons. (2017). Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2017/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2017.pdf
- Corduff N. (2018). The 12-point Revitalization Guide to Pan-facial Application of Injectable Fillers in Older Women. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 11(8), 35–40.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2022). Dermal Fillers Cost. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/cost
- Fried R. G. (2011). Filler cheeks: a bright idea? The “eyes” have it. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 4(5), 44–47.