Cheek fillers are a type of dermal filler treatment aimed at enhancing cheek volume, which helps to soften fine lines and wrinkles. When cheek fillers plump out your cheeks, there is a significant improvement in cheekbone definition. Choosing to have a cheek dermal filler is a quick and straightforward treatment to improve the appearance of sunken cheeks. Sunken cheeks are most commonly caused by the natural ageing process, which results in a loss of volume in the face leading to the appearance of deflated cheeks. Cheek filler treatment can help to rejuvenate the ageing face for a refreshed and more youthful appearance.
Cheek filler treatment in London takes no more than 30 minutes to perform. Patients can return to their normal everyday activities immediately after treatment. When deciding to have treatment with cheek fillers, it is important to bear in mind the other areas of the face will continue to be affected by the natural ageing process, and this is a normal phenomenon. Cheek fillers can be easily combined with dermal filler treatment to other areas of the face to enhance definition and add volume to the lips, temples and brow. The best results are obtained when cheek fillers are administered by a qualified and experienced medical practitioner in a regulated medical environment.
How do cheek fillers work?
The intrinsic elasticity of the skin is due to the presence of collagen. Collagen helps to give the skin its youthful and glowy contour. As part of the ageing process, the production of collagen begins to diminish, leading to sagging skin and loss of volume. This can lead to the development of sunken cheeks. Dermal fillers are precisely injected by an expert practitioner using specialised needles. When the dermal filler is injected, The hyaluronic acid-based gel helps to plump up the cheeks to address the age-related changes caused by collagen depletion. Dermal fillers also exert a hydrating effect on the skin as moisture is absorbed by the filler during the first two weeks after treatment. Dermal fillers also possess antioxidant properties, which are well-recognised as beneficial for their anti-ageing effects.
Here at Centre for Surgery, our doctors focus on using hyaluronic acid-based fillers. This type of filler produces temporary treatment effects and gradually gets absorbed by the body with no untoward long-lasting effects.
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Hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers are preferred by our doctors because if you are unhappy with the result achieved during treatment, the filler can be dissolved with the injection of hyaluronidase. The filler can be safely dissolved, and you can then have further injections if you wish to achieve the desired result.
How long does cheek filler treatment last?
Cheek fillers used for the treatment of sunken cheeks should be viewed as a temporary treatment, and the longevity of treatment will differ between people. This is because the filler is metabolised differently from person to person. On average, cheek filler results last anywhere between nine months and 18 months before further treatment is required to maintain the desired effects. In some people, the results of cheek filler treatment can last in excess of 24 months.
If you are unsure about invasive surgical treatment for sunken cheeks, cheek fillers are an excellent option as a tester treatment to see how you could look with plumper cheeks. You can then decide whether you wish to have more permanent surgical treatment with fat transfer to face, also known as facial fat transfer. Facial fat transfer using micro fat is considered a permanent solution for improving cheek volume and involves the minimally invasive removal of unwanted fat from a particular area of the body, such as the inner thighs. The fat is then processed and purified before being injected with precision cannulas into the targeted areas of the face, including the cheeks. At your consultation, your surgeon can discuss the available treatment options for sunken cheeks.
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Cheek fillers for men
Cheek fillers are not only requested by women. Men form an increasingly large proportion of people who have cheek filler treatment in London each year. Men as young as their 30s are increasingly keen to address signs of facial ageing with cheek dermal fillers before considering more invasive surgical treatment.
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Facial ageing does not affect women and men in a similar way. The goals of treatment with cheek fillers are significantly different between men and women. Injecting too much cheek filler into a man’s cheek may cause excessive enlargement leading to the appearance of ‘chipmunk cheeks’ or ‘pillow face’. There are notable examples of high-profile male celebrities who have had cheek filler treatment causing their cheeks to appear overfilled and puffy.
The key to achieving aesthetically desirable results is to choose an expert cosmetic injector with years of experience in performing cheek filler procedures in both men and women. Optimum results are achieved by injecting the correct volume of cheek filler to achieve a natural appearance. Physically active men generally require both a higher volume of cheek filler as well as more frequent treatment due to their higher metabolic rate compared with sedentary men.
There is no published medical evidence which suggests untoward effects of dermal fillers administered during pregnancy. However, Centre for Surgery does not recommend having invasive cosmetic treatments, including cheek fillers for women who may be pregnant or breastfeeding.
Cheek filler aftercare
Once injected, cheek fillers produce results that are visible immediately, although it can take between seven and ten days for the final cheek filler results to be visible. It may take up to 2 weeks, and some people if they develop significant bruising and swelling after treatment. Many people choose to have cheek fillers due to the lack of downtime required. Once you have had cheek filler injections at Centre for Surgery, you can recommence your everyday activities immediately with no requirement to be off work. As a general precaution, we would avoid strenuous exercise until 24 hours after treatment to allow the cheek injections to stabilise.
Cheek filler side effects are very uncommon, although it is usual to notice a mild degree of bruising, swelling and localised redness at the injection sites. These side effects gradually disappear after 3 to 4 hours. Applying a cold pack to the treatment area will help to minimise swelling, and you should keep your head elevated above the level of your chest during the first 24 hours. You should refrain from applying makeup for eight hours after cheek filler treatment to minimise the risk of infection.
When sleeping, the best position is to lie on your back. You should avoid sleeping on your sides or front to prevent excessive pressure from being applied to the cheeks. Immediately after cheek fillers, you should refrain from excessive touching of your face and practice good facial hygiene with mild soap and water day and night for the first few days after treatment. This will help to minimise infection risk after having cheek injections. Excessive sunlight exposure and tanning salons should be avoided for ten days after treatment.
You should ensure you follow all of your doctor’s aftercare instructions to achieve the best possible results and minimise the risk of complications.
Why choose Centre for Surgery for cheek filler in London?
Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic in London and has expertise across the full range of non-surgical treatments, including dermal cheek fillers. If you are interested in having cheek dermal fillers, call us today on 0207 993 4849 or complete the contact form below to schedule an in-person consultation with a specialist cosmetic injector. You can view a wide variety of before and after cheek filler results to give you an idea of how you could look after treatment.
