Thanks to Injectables, You Can Get Chiseled Cheeks Without Surgery!

From da Vinci’s “Lady with an Ermine” to Thutmose’s iconic “Nefertiti Bust,” the cheeks have been celebrated by cultures around the world for the definition and structure they provide the face. Historically, plump, rosy cheeks were seen as a sign of health—and therefore, attractiveness—by European cultures. However, over the last half-century, prominent upper cheekbones and narrower cheeks have become universally favored, with more men and women seeking plastic surgery to contour their cheeks than ever before.

For those who don’t want to undergo a surgical procedure like buccal fat removal or cheek implants to get sculpted cheeks, injectable fillers are a great alternative. In this month’s post, we explain how you can get chiseled cheeks surgery-free with simple filler injections.

What are cheek fillers?

Cheek fillers are strategically-placed dermal filler injections that provide volume and structure in the area around and above the cheeks. These fillers are typically comprised of hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally-occurring molecule in the human body that is responsible for absorbing water to keep your skin supple and moist. HA-based fillers not only lift and contour the cheeks but also smooth wrinkles and fine lines in the face by hydrating the skin from within.

How do cheek fillers work?

Over time, skin loses its ability to produce collagen and elastin, which can lead to a saggy, sunken-in facial appearance. When most people age, they lose volume in their mid-face & cheeks and experience skin sagging, or “jowling,” in their lower face. When carefully injected by an expert, fillers can temporarily volumize sunken areas and create symmetry in the face.

Increasing the volume around your cheekbones can create the illusion of a more defined bone structure. A skilled surgeon can use cheek fillers to control the light and shadows on your face, highlighting certain areas and using shadows to create the appearance of natural depressions. Contoured upper cheeks can also reflect light into the eyes to help you look more refreshed and invigorated.

Another added benefit of cheek fillers is that because of the filler’s moisturizing effect, you can get away with wearing less makeup, as your cheeks will take on a natural glow you’ll want to show off.

How long do cheek fillers last?

Hyaluronic acid cheek fillers typically last between 9-12 months before maintenance treatments are needed.

Which fillers are best for cheeks?

At the Swan Center, we use the Restylane line of fillers to sculpt the cheeks. Restylane is an FDA-approved HA-based filler with a safe and effective track record. Like other HA fillers, Restylane not only firms and volumizes skin, but also hydrates it from the inside out for smoother skin with fewer wrinkles and lines. Other fillers that can be used in the cheeks include Juvéderm, Radiesse, Sculptra Aesthetic, and Bellafill.

Cheek fillers are customizable

Everyone’s facial anatomy is unique, and at The Swan Center, our goal is to bring out this individualized beauty in each of our patients. Cheek fillers are a wonderful way we are able to achieve this because they are highly customizable. Here are a few ways we can adapt cheek fillers to enhance your face.

For patients with a rounder face:

While filler can’t reduce volume in your face, it can make the lower cheeks appear slimmer by volumizing the upper cheeks. This will also elevate the mid-face for a more lifted and elongated facial appearance (think Demi Moore circa 2011).

For patients with a narrower face:

Filler injections to the mid-face and lower cheeks can help fill out the face for a healthy, youthful appearance (think Jennifer Lawrence in the first Hunger Games film).

Cheek fillers are quick and easy

Cheek fillers are done in-office in under 15 minutes. The HA begins to volumize and hydrate skin immediately, so you’ll begin to notice results as soon as you leave the office. Even better, because Restylane increases collagen and elastin production in your skin, you’ll see your skin tone improve over the following months.

Cheek fillers have zero recovery period, and, when performed with Restylane injections, last for up to 12 months.

Cheek fillers are a worry-free procedure. If for any reason you aren’t completely satisfied with your results, your surgeon can inject hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down HA, to reverse your filler. Or, if you’ve had a less-than-ideal filler experience elsewhere, our expert plastic surgeons can use hyaluronidase to return your face to its natural state and work with you on achieving the results you want.

How can I enhance my cheek fillers?

Looking to highlight your newly-enhanced cheeks? Here are a few of our favorite methods.

• Dermal fillers in other parts of the face. Adding a few filler injections to other areas of the face can create symmetry and full-facial rejuvenation while drawing attention to your cheeks. Lip fillers can provide a subtle enhancement to the natural shape of the lips and smooth their texture; jawline fillers can make the jaw appear stronger, thinner, and more angled; under-eye fillers can fill in the sunken hollows between the cheeks and eyes for a more alert appearance.
• Botox & Dysport injections. Neurotoxin injections like Botox and Dysport can fix a gummy smile, create a subtle lip flip, and soften the brow. When paired with cheek filler, well-placed neurotoxin injections can improve your appearance by helping you look more relaxed and refreshed.
• HydraFacial. HydraFacial is one of our most popular skincare treatments. It uses a patented medical-grade hydradermabrasion device to cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate the face with protective serums. HydraFacial treats acne, sun damage, dark spots, and even fine lines. A HydraFacial can help to perfect your complexion to highlight your chiseled cheeks.

• Laser peel. For those looking to treat skin at a deeper level, a laser peel using the Contour TRL by Sciton allows us to treat wrinkles, scars, and lesions while tightening skin for glowing results after just one treatment. Best of all, the Contour TRL laser is customizable to treat deep or surface layers of skin, so you can get the level of peel that fits your recovery window.

Book your cheek filler consultation with our expert injectors in Atlanta

At The Swan Center, all of our cosmetic injections are performed under the direction of board certified plastic surgeons and highly-trained master nurse injectors, which means you’ll get the highest standard of care, results, and safety. If you’d like to learn more about cheek fillers, contact us online or give us a call at (770) 667-0904.