Cheek Fillers: Best Brands, Side Effects, Duration, Results, Reviews, Cost and Recovery

Cheek Fillers
  • Cheek fillers are used to add facial volume and reduce wrinkles.
  • Results usually last for one to two years, depending on the product.
  • There is no downtime involved with cheek filler injections.

Cheek fillers are used to restore lost volume to the mid-face area and create a more youthful appearance.

As you get older, you gradually lose some of the elasticity in your skin and your facial muscles begin to weaken. This can change the shape of your face and cause your cheeks to look sunken.

Cheek fillers are an effective way to temporarily add facial volume and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Best Cheek Filler Brands

The vast majority of cosmetic providers recommend using hyaluronic acid-based products to add volume to the face. Hyaluronic acid is a natural, viscous substance that helps the body retain moisture. It is used in a wide range of beauty products and cosmetic treatments.

Currently, there are only two hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the cheek area.

Juvederm Voluma XC

Juvederm Voluma XC is a hyaluronic acid injectable gel. It has been specifically designed to address the loss of facial volume associated with the natural aging process.

Juvederm Voluma XC is injected deep into your facial tissue, where it creates structure and volume, attracts moisture and smoothes out wrinkles. It contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic that helps reduce pain during treatment.

Restylane Lyft

Restylane Lyft (formerly known as Perlane-L) is similar to Juvederm Voluma XC. Restylane Lyft is an injectable hyaluronic acid filler that has been carefully formulated to add fullness to the face as well as the back of the hands.

Restylane Lyft also contains lidocaine to minimize discomfort during your injections.

Am I a Good Candidate for Cheek Fillers?

Cheek fillers have an excellent safety profile and are suitable for a wide range of candidates. If you are over the age of 21 and wish to treat age-related mid-face volume loss, there is a good  chance that cheek fillers will be the right option for you.

Before treatment, your provider will discuss your medical history to check whether you are a good candidate. You may not be a good candidate for cheek fillers if:

  • You have a history of anaphylaxis.
  • You are allergic to gram-positive bacterial proteins used to make hyaluronic acid.
  • You are prone to bleeding or have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder.

What to Expect During the Procedure

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Before and Afters

Side Effects

Cheek fillers are generally considered safe. According to research published in Clinical Interventions in Aging, the risk of long-term side effects is very low.

However, as with any procedure, there are still some side effects to be aware of. The most common include:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Redness
  • Itching
  • Acne
  • Headache
  • Nausea

Most side effects will resolve within a week or two. Be sure to contact your provider if side effects persist or worsen.

Results

In the hands of an experienced provider, cheek fillers can deliver very natural-looking results. The filler effectively plumps up cheeks, enhancing the shape and structure of the mid-face area, while gently tightening loose skin.

Depending on your specific cosmetic goals, cheek fillers can also help lift the corners of the mouth, soften the nasolabial folds (the vertical lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth) and reduce under-eye hollows.

You will be able to see the results immediately after receiving your cheek filler injections, although it may take a week or two to see the full effects.

If you do not like the results of your cheek filler injections, your provider can use hyaluronidase injections to safely dissolve the filler.

How Long Does It Last?

Cheek fillers provide temporary results. The duration of effects can vary quite significantly between individuals, depending on how quickly the body absorbs the hyaluronic acid. You can repeat the treatment after the effect wears off if you wish to maintain results.

Juvederm Voluma XC

Juvederm Voluma XC is the longest lasting cheek filler. According to the manufacturer, it provides natural-looking results that may last for up to two years with optimal treatment and post-treatment care.

Restylane Lyft

Restylane Lyft does not last quite as long as Juvederm Voluma XC. Most patients find it has a duration of about 12–18 months.

Reviews

Patients tend to view cheek fillers very favorably. Approximately 90% of people who have had cheek filler injections say they would recommend it to others.

In a study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal, investigators set out to determine the effectiveness of Juvederm Voluma XC from the patient’s perspective. Nearly 93% of the 235 patients who received Juvederm Voluma XC injections for age-related mid-face volume loss said they saw improvement six months after treatment, while 79% reported improvement two years after treatment.

Patient satisfaction rates are similar with Restylane Lyft. In one study, as many as 98% of patients reported improvement two weeks after treatment and 73% were still satisfied with their results one year after receiving their injections.

Recovery

Cheek filler injections are considered a non-invasive procedure. There is almost no downtime after treatment, and most people are able to resume their usual day-to-day activities immediately. You may wish to take the day off work, but it is not necessary from a medical point of view.

Your provider may recommend avoiding strenuous exercise and limiting your exposure to sunlight. They may also ask you to avoid pressing or massaging the skin around the injection site. For best results, it is important to always follow your provider’s instructions exactly as directed.

Cost

The cost of cheek fillers depends on the brand you use and how much product is needed, as well as your location. Generally speaking, cosmetic treatments are more expensive in areas that have a higher cost of living.

You can expect to pay about $800 – $1,000 per syringe.  Patients usually require 1-2 syringes to fill the cheek area. Juvederm Voluma XC is typically more expensive than Restylane Lyft as it lasts longer.

Cheek fillers are considered an elective procedure and are therefore not covered by insurance. Be sure to ask about finance plans, as many cosmetic providers allow you to make monthly payments.

Takeaway

Cheek fillers are an excellent option for anyone looking for an effective way to treat facial loss in the mid-face area.

Currently, there are only two FDA-approved products on the market that are used in the cheeks. Both Juvederm Voluma XC and Restylane Lyft can deliver good results and carry a similar risk of side effects.

To get the best results and minimize the risk of side effects, it is important to always use a provider you can trust. Our medical review team will help address your concerns and provide appropriate recommendations to achieve your aesthetic goal.

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