A Guide to The Best Cheek Filler Injections

Facial fillers are one of the most highly-requested injectables in many aesthetic clinics and med spas today. Every year, millions of individuals are receiving cosmetic fillers to minimize the effects of aging on different areas of the face like the cheeks. Getting cheek injections is an increasingly popular trend and there are several kinds of dermal filler material that can be used for the treatment.

So what are the most appropriate dermal filler injections for cheek augmentation? Hyaluronic acid-based fillers, like Restylane and Juvederm, are the most common choice for volumizing and softening facial wrinkles and lines on the cheek area. Collagen-stimulating fillers, such as Radiesse and Sculptra, may also be injected on the cheeks to improve fullness, add shape, and restore an attractive facial contour.

What Are The Best Cheek Filler Options?

Cheek enhancement with soft tissue fillers is one of the most common cosmetic procedures today. In fact, it’s considered to be the new lip filler treatment since there’s a growing number of patients who want to achieve a plumper and fuller cheek appearance.

But do note that not all cheek filler procedures are the same. The signs of aging may manifest themselves differently among each individual. That’s why your course of treatment and choice of injectable filler is usually tailored to address your specific concerns and needs.

Generally, injectable dermal fillers are categorized depending on their material and mechanism of action. The best kinds of fillers for non-surgical cheek augmentation are either hyaluronic acid injections or collagen stimulators. Here's an overview of the common kinds of cheek filler injections:

1. Best Filler for Cheek Lift:  Restylane Lyft and Contour 

Over time, your skin loses elasticity which makes the appearance of flat or sunken cheeks more prominent. The loss of fat pads on your cheekbone also contributes to a drooping look and can sometimes result in facial asymmetry. Fortunately, cheek fillers can help lift your midface region without getting cosmetic surgery.

Restylane is a popular line of dermal filler products that are made of hyaluronic acid. With its clear gel formulation, the filler injections work by supplementing your body’s supply of hyaluronic acid to restore moisture and attract more water to hydrate and plump hollow cheeks. The injections also add more fullness which helps create a facelifting effect.

There are two kinds of Restylane fillers approved for augmenting the cheeks: Lyft and Contour. Here's what you need to know about these two injectable products:

	Restylane Lyft	Restylane Contour
Definition	This hyaluronic acid-based filler has larger particle sizes and firmer composition which makes it suitable for visibly lifting the cheeks and maintaining its shape and fullness.	This HA filler is made with the XpresHan Technology™ which allows greater flexibility for cheek injections to retain your natural facial movements and expressions.
Common indications	It’s approved for addressing volume loss in the cheeks and midface area. It can also be used for rejuvenating the hands.	It’s specifically designed for rejuvenating your cheeks and providing softer contours.
Effectiveness	According to Restylane clinical trials, patients can achieve about 95% improvement in their cheek appearance within 2 months of treatment.	Based on a clinical trial, about 91% of patients saw improvements in their cheek area within 3 months of treatment.

2. Best Filler for Cheek Lines and Wrinkles: Juvederm Ultra Plus XC

Facial wrinkles and lines also become more noticeable in your cheeks as you age. The drooping of the cheeks also leads to the formation of nasolabial folds that extend from the bottom of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Cheek filler injections can be a great treatment to combat these deep folds and fine lines.

Juvederm Ultra Plus is a good choice of hyaluronic acid filler that can address age-related loss of cheek fullness and minimize moderate to severe wrinkles. It has a thicker gel consistency than other Juvederm products and provides more volume to fill in deeper nasolabial folds and lines around the cheeks and mouth. This injectable filler can also restore moisture under the skin to improve cheek elasticity and texture.

3. Best Filler for Cheek Volume: Juvederm Voluma XC, Radiesse, and Sculptra

Cheek fillers are also an excellent choice of treatment for patients who have lost volume due to the aging process or those who naturally don’t have much definition and shape in their midface region. For this reason, there are three kinds of injectable fillers that work well for restoring cheek volume. Here’s a table comparing the best kinds of cheek fillers for adding volume and shape:

	Juvederm Voluma XCRadiesseSculptra AestheticDefinitionThis is a hyaluronic acid-based filler with a denser consistency and firmer texture that provides significant volume to sunken cheeks.	It’s a collagen-stimulating filler made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a gel carrier. It has a firm texture and injectable material which is suitable for improving cheek volume.  This injectable cheek filler is made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) which is a biocompatible substance that stimulates your body’s natural collagen production.
Common indications	It’s primarily injected to address the natural loss of volume in the cheek region and helps improve your facial contours.	It's a great injectable for restoring facial volume, contouring cheeks, and smoothing deep nasolabial folds. It can also be used as a jawline and chin filler.	It can be used to fill in sunken cheeks and deep nasolabial folds while increasing your collagen to provide continuous results and make your cheek enhancement last longer.
Effectiveness	In a clinical study, 86% of patients reported significant improvement in their cheek volume within 6 months of injections and 75% remained satisfied with their results for up to 2 years.	According to a report, patients can enjoy improvements in the cheek appearance within 6 months of treatments and continue to see effects up to 30 months after the injections.	According to a report by Sculptra, the filler injection provided significant improvement in midface contour deficiencies and cheek nasolabial folds with results lasting up to 25 months.

How Long Do Dermal Fillers on the Cheeks Last?

Unlike fat grafting or cheek implants, dermal filler injections are a temporary solution for volume loss and wrinkles in the midface region. Still, cheek filler treatments can last anywhere from 6 to 24 months before the material fully dissolves. The duration of the cheek filler results will depend on the type of injectable that was placed. Here’s an overview of how long each dermal filler product typically lasts:

Type of cheek filler	How long effects stay visible
Restylane Lyft	About 6 months
Restylane Contour	Around 6 to 12 months
Juvederm Ultra Plus XC	Around 6 to 12 months
Juvederm Voluma	Around 12 to 24 months
Radiesse	About 15 to 18 months
Sculptra	Around 2 to 5 years

Several factors can also affect how long the effects of cheek fillers will last. For one, the severity of your volume loss and folds in your cheeks will determine how much filler will be placed. If you don’t get enough fillers to solve your specific concerns, you won’t get your desired results and its effects will deteriorate faster.

The expertise of your aesthetic practitioner also plays a role in the success of your cheek filler treatment. If your filler provider has poor injection skills or lacks knowledge about facial anatomy, there’s a possibility that they’ll improperly place the material which can result in short-lived results. Some patients may also need more than one session and get regular maintenance treatment to retain the effects of the fillers.

2 Factors To Consider When Choosing Your Cheek Filler Injection

Selecting a dermal filler for your cheek augmentation is a process that your provider or plastic surgeon can help with. Before your treatment, you’ll have a consultation with your injector to evaluate your facial problem and discuss your desired outcome. Here are the common factors that can determine which cheek filler should be used for your treatment:

1. Compatibility with Filler Material

Although most dermal filler products are safe, there are some precautions that providers have to keep in mind when selecting which material to use. The most important factor is the patient’s compatibility with the injectable filler. Ideally, a patient should have no known allergies to the primary component of the filler product. Individuals with a history of keloid formation, scarring, or active infection in the injection site may also not be qualified for a cheek filler treatment.

2. Your Aesthetic Goals

The provider will also choose the dermal filler material that best suits your specific aesthetic needs. Hyaluronic acid fillers may be more used for smoothing cheek wrinkles and nasolabial folds, while collagen stimulators are commonly administered for improving volume, correcting shape, and adding definition and contours.

What to Expect From a Cheek Filler Treatment: Before, During, and After

Since it’s not as invasive and complicated as plastic surgery, cheek filler treatments require very minimal preparation before the procedure. Patients will be asked to stop smoking and refrain from taking certain medications and supplements at least 2 weeks prior to the injections. You’ll also need to avoid using skin care products that contain retinol and glycolic acid since they may affect your treatment.

On the day of your cheek filler injections, the provider will first cleanse the treatment area. Although most fillers already contain lidocaine, a topical numbing cream may still be applied to minimize the discomfort. The fillers will be placed underneath the skin with a small needle. The injections aren’t as painful but you may feel a slight pinch throughout the procedure.

Depending on how many fillers are injected, the treatment can last about 15 to 30 minutes. You may go home or return to your normal activities immediately after the procedure. You may notice some side effects like bruising, tenderness, and injection site pain. Fortunately, these reactions are temporary and can resolve on their own within a couple of days. The results of the treatment will be visible as soon as the initial swelling has gone down.

Get Beautiful Cheek Filler Results from Dr. Lanna Aesthetics

The results of your cheek enhancement will vary on the type of dermal filler product that was used. For this reason, it’s important to consult with an expert provider to help you decide which injectable filler material will best suit your needs and achieve your desired aesthetic goals. You can choose from hyaluronic acid products or collagen stimulators to improve your cheek appearance.

At Dr. Lanna Aesthetics, we offer a variety of dermal filler injections for your cheek augmentation. Our team is highly experienced in helping patients achieve successful cheek filler procedures with minimal downtime and side effects. Contact us today to book a consultation or inquire more about our cheek injections.