Non-surgical Cheek Augmentation

One of the most obvious sign of aging is hollowed out cheeks. When the face begins to look less full, it can produce a gaunt, tired, old appearance. In today’s youth-oriented culture, older patients are looking for ways to appear more youthful, fresh, and rejuvenated. However, not all older patients wish to undergo cosmetic facial surgery. They may worry about recovery time, unsightly scars, cost, or adverse reactions to medications. There are cheek augmentation techniques that do not require surgery. Patients who are otherwise healthy and non-smokers are excellent candidates for non-surgical cheek augmentation procedures.

Trend Toward Cheek Fillers

There has been an ongoing trend toward filling out the cheeks to make the face look younger, as compared to tightening the face with a surgical procedure. The theory behind plumper cheeks is what is known as the “triangle of youth,” wherein the widest part of the face is at the cheekbones. As the face ages, this facial triangle moves, such that the widest part of the face is now at the bottom, around the jaw line.

Collagen and the Aging Process

Collagen is an amino acid protein that the body naturally produces. It is the glue that holds the body together, and it fills out the skin over the bones. As the body ages, it begins to lose collagen, which can lead to hollowed cheeks and furrowed brows, as well as fine lines around the eyes and mouth.

Non-surgical Cheek Augmentation Procedure

There are several dermal fillers that can be used for facial procedures, but the two most common are RADIESSE® and Artefill. RADIESSE® is an injectable, calcium hydroxylapatite microsphere dermal filler. Artefill uses collagen and microspheres to fill out the cheeks. The procedure is the same for both dermal fillers. They are injected into targeted areas around the cheeks to fill out the skin, providing a fuller look to the face. The procedure will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of work to be done. Recovery from the procedure is very quick. Most patients will be back to normal activities within a day or two following treatment.

Side Effects and Risks

The most common side effects to injectable dermal fillers are bruising and swelling at the injection sites. In most cases, this will be relatively minor and should resolve within a few days. Ice, cold compresses, and taking the herb Arnica montana will help to reduce the amount and duration of bruising and swelling. The most common risk from dermal fillers is bleeding at the injection sites. Again, this is usually very minimal and should resolve within a day or two following the procedure.

Results

The main difference between RADIESSE® and Artefill is the duration of results. RADIESSE® will last anywhere from nine to 14 months before being re-absorbed into the body. Artefill is a permanent dermal filler, but may require more than one session to achieve the desired effect.

Facial rejuvenation used to involve costly, extensive surgery. With the trend toward nonsurgical cheek augmentation, a younger, more radiant look is available to a wider range of patients.

Contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.