Cheek Filler

The cheeks are a focal point of the face and important to overall facial symmetry. Along with the scientific aesthetics of the midface, prominent, sharp cheekbones are a beauty trend of the 21st century. People who do not naturally have defined cheekbones may use various makeup tricks or even try to lose weight to achieve the look. For those who turn to cosmetic procedures, dermal fillers offer a quick and easy way to obtain the cheeks they want. Dr. Ludwig Allegra and the injectors at Northwest Face & Body offer the best cheek filler Bellevue and Kirkland offers.

Overview: Cheek Augmentation With Dermal Fillers

Cheek augmentation is a catch all term that refers to a variety of surgical and non-surgical procedures that augment the cheeks. The procedures will vary in their exact goals and techniques based on the goals and preferences of the patient. The most popular and accessible cheek augmentation procedure is cheek filler.

Cheek filler uses dermal fillers to temporarily augment the cheeks for a more defined look. Dermal fillers are an injected gel most commonly made of hyaluronic acid. When injected, fillers provide a natural looking augmentation to the treated area. Other places that patients receive filler include the lips, under eyes, temples, chin, and nasolabial folds.

Motivations And Benefits

Patients of all ages receive cheek fillers. Young patients who do not naturally have a defined midface will get cheek fillers to accentuate their natural cheekbones and structure. Aging can also cause the loss of volume in the cheeks. Therefore, older patients may choose cheek fillers to fill out facial volume lost to aging. Filler can also disguise wrinkles on or near the cheeks such as in the case of the nasolabial folds. A midface lift may also provide some cheek enhancement and some patients may opt to try fillers before undergoing surgery.

Every patient will have a unique motivation for wanting to try cheek fillers. However, cheek fillers do generally offer many benefits and advantages to patients regardless of motivation. Some of the benefits of cheek fillers are:

• Quick, straightforward procedure
• Low risk
• Results temporary and reversible
• Completely non-surgical
• Adds volume to the cheeks
• Can fill in fine lines and wrinkles
• Creates a more defined, structured look
• Little to no pain
• More filler can be added later if you want more volume
• Complement the results of other fillers and facial procedures like a facelift
• Can achieve a more lifted look to the cheek area
• Improvement of facial symmetry and profile

Cheek Implants vs. Cheek Fillers

There are many options for cheek augmentation, the two most common including cheek implants and cheek filler. The most obvious difference between these two procedures is that cheek implants involve surgery and cheek fillers do not. This is often an important factor for patients choosing between the two options. The table below lays out other differences in the procedures.

Cheek Implants

• Uses a pair of silicone implants to provide long lasting definition
• Requires surgery
• Local or general anesthesia required
• Recovery and downtime necessary
• Unsatisfactory results require further surgery
• Normally only one surgical session required
• May feel firmer

Cheek Filler

• Dermal fillers provide temporary definition to the cheeks
• Non-surgical
• Only topical anesthetics used
• No recovery time needed
• Results reversible (when using hyaluronic acid fillers)
• Multiple treatments needed to maintain results
• Softer and more malleable

At a consultation, Dr. Allegra or your injector can explain the differences between the procedures and which may benefit you most. Cheek filler can also be a great precursor to surgery as a “trial run” of their cheek implants.

Cheek Filler Options

There are nearly endless dermal filler options available. Most patients opt for hyaluronic acid fillers because they are safe, reversible, and perfect for first time filler patients. Occasionally, your injector may recommend a longer lasting filler such as Sculptra. During a consultation, your injector will run you through all the options for your cheek filler in Bellevue.

Restylane Fillers:

Restylane is a manufacturer of hyaluronic acid fillers. Many of their products are suitable for cheek augmentation. Restylane Lyft was specially designed for the cheeks and midface area, making it an attractive choice for cheek filler. It provides a natural looking lift and augmentation to the cheeks.

Other Restylane fillers can also be used for cheek augmentation. Some fillers are known for their thicker formula, such as Restylane Defyne. This may benefit some patient’s goals more than thinner fillers.

Juvederm Fillers:

Juvederm is another manufacturer of hyaluronic acid fillers. They offer comparable filler options for your cheek filler injections. Juvederm Voluma is designed for cheek augmentation and is among one of the longest lasting hyaluronic acid fillers. While this will vary from person to person, Juvederm Voluma can last up to two years in some patients.

Your injector can help you choose between the many filler options for your cheek injections. Some patients may prefer or find better results from Juvederm and vice versa.

Sculptra:

When loss of volume in the cheeks occurs due to a chronic condition or advanced aging, your injector may recommend Sculptra. Sculptra is a filler made of poly-L-lactic acid. It is not totally reversible. Therefore, it is only suitable for a small set of patients experiencing extreme facial thinning.

Originally developed to treat HIV patients who experienced facial thinning, Sculptra can last more than two years. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Sculptra stimulates collagen production to promote natural fullness as it dissolves. This means that patients may see an improvement in the look of their cheeks after Sculptra injections.

Cheek Fillers Before And After

Consultation With An Injector

Before undergoing Bellevue cheek filler injections, you will want to schedule a consultation with one of the injectors at Northwest Face & Body. During a consultation, your injector will want to know your goals for the procedure and any pertinent medical history. This will allow them to determine if you are a good candidate for cheek fillers.

If you are a good candidate, your injector will discuss the types of filler with you. Based on your goals and anatomy, your injector may recommend a specific filler that will best suit you and your goals. They can then usually carry out the injections during the same appointment.

Cheek Filler Injections

Cheek filler injections usually do not take longer than a half hour and can take as little as ten minutes. Once the filler is chosen, your injector will prepare the injection sites by wiping them with alcohol to prevent infection. Next, using either a needle or thin cannula, your injector will carefully inject the filler into your cheeks. Based on your goals, there may be multiple injection sites along the cheeks.

Most patients use one to two syringes of filler for the cheeks. When your injector finishes injecting the filler, they may massage it gently into place. You will then likely notice an immediate difference in the size and projection of the cheeks. However, your final results will take a couple weeks to fully settle.

Dermal Filler Aftercare

After cheek filler injections, you can return to your daily activities immediately. Many patients go straight from their filler injections to work. Your injector will likely advise you to refrain from strenuous activity until the swelling subsides as it can worsen it. You should also avoid touching the area unless directed otherwise. Your injector will provide any aftercare instructions specific to your filler or treatment following the injections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Dermal Filler For Cheeks?

The best dermal filler will differ for each patient. Since bone structure and goals vary between patients, the right filler will also be different. Based on your anatomy and goals, your injector can recommend the filler best suited for you.

Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma are two hyaluronic acid fillers specifically designed for cheek augmentation. Both can provide a lifted, beautiful result. These may offer a starting point when exploring your Bellevue filler options.

Can You Dissolve Cheek Filler?

Yes, if you use a hyaluronic acid filler like Restylane or Juvederm, a substance known as hyaluronidase can dissolve them. Hyaluronidase is also one of the factors that makes dermal fillers a safe procedure. In the rare case of an allergic reaction or complication, hyaluronidase is administered to treat it.

Therefore, if you find that you do not like cheek fillers, your injector can reverse the results with hyaluronidase injections.

What Are The Side Effects?

In the days following your cheek filler injections, you may experience some minor side effects. These side effects usually only last a few days to a week. The most common side effects include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Redness
• Itchiness
• Headaches

Your injector can provider advice on how to treat and mitigate side effects. Avoiding exercise and aspirin based painkillers can prevent prolonged swelling and bruising. Additionally, some patients may not experience any side effects or see them cease quickly.

Can Cheek Filler Help Eye Bags?

Cheek filler comes with many unexpected benefits. For example, in some patients, lifting and augmenting the cheeks can make eye bags less prominent. Some patients can also opt for tear trough filler which fills in the under eyes to treat eye bags.

How Qualified Are Your Injectors?

The injectors at Northwest Face & Body consist of plastic surgeons, Physicians Assistants, and Registered Nurses. Our Physician Assistant and Registered Nurse injectors trained directly under our physicians to refine the best and least invasive injection methods. We use both needle and cannula techniques based upon the patient and procedure.

Our injectors have years of experience and trained extensively in all types of cosmetic injections including, dermal fillers, and Kybella.

The Best Cheek Fillers In Bellevue And Kirkland

Founded in 1983, Northwest Face & Body serves the Eastside with the highest standard of dermal filler injections available. Dr. Ludwig Allegra and our injectors have comprehensive knowledge of facial anatomy and the various factors that impact facial symmetry. Artistically applying fillers and other cosmetic injections, Northwest Face & Body offers the best cheek fillers Bellevue and Kirkland provides.

Located minutes away from downtown Bellevue and Kirkland, Northwest Face & Body offers a convenient and safe location for all your cosmetic needs. To schedule a consultation at Northwest Face & Body, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also connect with us online via our contact forms, chat, and Price Simulator™ app.