Cheek Enhancement/ Facial Contouring

People age differently. Some may simply lose fullness or volume in the cheeks, whereas others may find that their skin droops or sags. When this is the case, replacing volume in the cheeks can play a big role in rejuvenating the face.

Without adequate cheek volume, the face loses some of its initial youthful curve. Furthermore, the mid cheek can support the lower eyelid, so in many cases, adding volume to the cheeks can have an additional effect on the appearance of under eye bags and hollows.

One advantage of cheek dermal fillers is that they lift the entire face, reducing naso-labial lines and jowls. With cheek fillers, the shape of the face can be reverted to a youthful ‘upside down triangle’.

Cheek enhancement is performed using an injectable dermal filler to temporarily improve the volume of the cheeks, increasing definition and fullness.

During cheek enhancement treatment, a dermal filler is slowly injected to place the filler above the cheek bone. Additional product may be placed laterally in the cheek to further enhance the contour depending on the natural shape of your cheek.

The majority of brands are made from hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring sugar chain molecule. It’s found in all skin and soft tissues throughout the body, and is identical across species. The role of hyaluronic acid is to attract and bind water in the skin. This provides volume and hydration, but also supports collagen and elastin fibres, and acts as a medium (or carrier) for chemical messages between the cells.

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, therefore, are a clear sterile gel that comes in a syringe for injection into the skin. Upon application, it provides instant correction and plumpness to the area.

Dermal fillers are manufactured as a sterile gel for injection into the skin. This is usually done through fermentation and cross linking with proteins.

In the UK, there are over 160 brands of cheek filler on the market, but not all of them are trustworthy.

Not all hyaluronic acids are the same, and legitimate brands of cheek filler are NOT available for general sale on the internet. They should therefore only be administered by trained clinicians: you will not be able to purchase a safe dermal filler for home application.

Each brand has a range of ‘tissue tailored’ products designed for specific results, so one size does not fit all. Consult with your clinician to decide which specialised treatment of cheek enhancement is right for you.

Leading and well-established brands of cheek dermal filler include, but are not limited to;

• Juvederm™ (FDA 2006)
• Restylane™ (FDA 2003)
• Belotero™ (FDA 2011)
• Teosyal™
• Emervel™

There are several things that cheek fillers can be used to treat, including:

• Improving the appearance of under eye bags and hollows
• Restoring youthful volume to sagging cheeks
• Reducing jowls and lifting the jawline
• Recreating facial Vi shape (triangle of youth)
• Correcting facial asymmetry
• Making the face appear softer, more youthful and ‘uplifted’

Cheek fillers also have the added benefits of being safe, pain-free, quick and effective. They have  immediate results and minimal recovery time, as well as often only needing a single treatment.

Longevity does vary between products, and between individuals, but most will last between 6 months and 18 months. For more information on dermal fillers please click here.

Your practitioner will provide aftercare advice designed to minimise risk and promote speedy recovery from any expected side effects.

Most people are able to continue with normal activities with immediate improvement in their appearance.

• Some people will have some redness, pin prick marks, possibly swelling- particularly in the lips.
• You may experience some bruising around the treatment area.
• Any swelling and bruising may be more apparent the next day.
• Make-up should not be worn for 12 hours 
• You will be advised to avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, sunbathing, and extremes of heat or cold for 14 days post treatment.

There are a number of medical conditions and or medicines that may affect the decision to treat or the treatment plan. A full medical history and assessment of your expectations is necessary in advance of any decision to treat with cheek dermal fillers.

As with any injectable treatment:

• Treatment is not recommended if you are suffering from any skin infection in or near the treatment area or are unwell in any way (even a cold).
• If you have previously experienced allergic reactions to any dermal filler or local anaesthetic.
• If you are taking any medicines which affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin.
• If you are taking steroids or have autoimmune disease.
• If you have any bleeding disorders.
•  If you suffer from a poorly controlled medical condition.
• If you are currently or have recently completed a course of Roacutane (Isotretinoin acne treatment) in the last 18 months.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Take Caution

• Injections on the face can trigger the cold sore virus. If you are a sufferer, you must advise your clinician in advance of treatment.
• If you have recently had treatment with any other dermal filler.
• If you are planning to attend a special event when a bruise, should it occur, would be unacceptable to you.
• Some over the counter medicines and supplements can also affect bleeding (make you more prone to bruising), as can alcohol. Alcohol should be avoided the day before and the day after treatment.
• Vigorous exercise, sun exposure, sun beds, sauna should be avoided for 48 hours after your cheek filler treatment, or as advised by your clinician.
• Safety has not been established for those skins susceptible to keloid scarring.

If, having had treatment, you are at all concerned about symptoms you were not expecting, or are not happy with your results, please contact the practitioner for advice. If necessary, an appointment will be made for you to be seen. 

All treatments carry a degree of risk.

All risks and complications will be discussed with you at your consultation and prior to any treatment being agreed. Dermal fillers should be administered by a healthcare professional with specialist training, and never self-administered at home. Side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Itching
• Tenderness

The above are temporary, and usually resolve within the first few days. Swelling is often marked the next morning, but settles within hours. Bruising can take a week to 10 days to resolve, and can sometimes persist for longer.

Most leading brands of dermal filler also contain a local anaesthetic, and most clinicians will apply topical anaesthetic cream, or ice, prior to treatment to numb the skin. There is no reason for treatment to be painful.

Longevity does vary between products, individuals, and the exact site of treatment, but most dermal cheek fillers will last between 6 and 18 months.

You should expect to pay between £300-£600 per treatment.  Several factors can influence the final price, including the type of filler used, the amount required, and the experience level of the provider.

Beware of very cheap prices advertised online and on social media. Although they may seem tempting, cheap cheek fillers may indicate that:

• The practitioner is not using licenced products
• They may not be a registered healthcare professional 
• They may not be insured. 

Find the right practitioner for your cheek fillers with Save Face. Each and every practitioner listed within our search function have passed our rigorous 116-point assessment, meaning there’s no doubt that the person you’re choosing:

• Is who they say they are.
• Is a registered nurse/midwife, doctor, dentist or prescribing pharmacist with specialist training and insurance in each treatment listed on their profile.
• Uses licensed products sourced from reputable suppliers.
• Has all of the necessary paperwork in place to protect you from undue risk and harm.
• Has a safe and hygienic clinic.

Start your search here to find the right clinician for your cheek filler treatment.