A Cheeky Question- Are Cheek Fillers For Me?

With Central Coast Cosmetic Doctor and GP: Dr. Owen Greene

Cheeks as we age

As we age our facial features flatten and drop. The cheeks are not immune to this aging process and patients often identify changes in their cheeks as their first visible sign of facial aging.

As the fat pad that forms the cheeks deflates and the maxilla (cheekbone) is gradually reabsorbed, this causes a loss of volume which also accentuates the tear troughs (hollow under the eye) and the nasolabial folds (hollow from nose to the corner of the mouth).

What's involved in having cheek fillers?

Before any injections take place a detailed anatomical assessment of the face is made and the patient's concerns and expectations are discussed and a management plan to achieve their desired result is created.

Dermal fillers are injected into the cheeks using a fine needle. The procedure is relatively painless and numbing cream can be used to reduce this further if requested. Once injected under the skin, dermal fillers work by attracting water and this increases tissue volume. Depending on the anatomical site that the fillers are injected, and the volume of filler used, dermal fillers can be used to restore or increase cheek volume and/or shape and define the cheek's natural arch.

The aim with cheek enhancement is to create symmetrical, subtle yet defined cheeks that restore or enhance the natural facial balance and in turn help to soften the hollows under the eyes.

There is a tendency from some cosmetic injectors to use large volumes of dermal fillers when performing cheek enhancement. Dr. Greene takes a different approach and will rarely use greater than 1ml of filler to perform cheek augmentation. This is achieved with very carefully placed injections that create a subtle and natural look and ensures that unnecessary costs to the patient are avoided by only using the volume of filler that is needed and not overfilling the cheeks. Once completed, cheek rejuvenation will last between 9-12 months.

If you would like to discuss cheek enhancement, please call to book your free consultation and assessment with Dr. Owen Greene.