Cheek Implants vs. Dermal Fillers: Which One’s The Better Choice for You?

Cosmetic surgery is no longer the only procedure of choice that patients can improve their facial contour with. Dermal filler injections have managed to hold their own (and in some cases, even be the preferable option), and can apply to anything from the chin to the cheek area.

But can dermal filler injections be the preferable choice over getting facial surgery if it's on the cheek? There are some points for and against choosing dermal fillers over a cheek implant, and patients should always be well-informed about these points before choosing a treatment with their provider.

Things to Consider Between Implants vs. Fillers

Cheek implants and cheek fillers have the same end goal: to add volume to the cheeks. However, there are significant differences in the procedure, the effects, and the overall experience for each patient: and it's these differences that you need to keep in mind if you're thinking of getting cheek implant surgery vs. dermal filler.

How Long Will Results Last?

Perhaps one of the most important points to consider is how long you want the results of your procedure to last - and in this category, cheek implants will absolutely win. A plastic surgeon can provide you with the necessary silicone-based cheek implant that can last you for the rest of your life, versus dermal fillers that need to be applied every few years.

However, keep in mind that dermal filler injections wearing off can actually be a good thing - if you find that your procedure doesn't give you the facial feature that you like, dermal filler injections can be easier to remove. A cheek implant will require another round of surgery if you don't like the results.

How Long Is The Procedure?

Another possible point of concern is how long would facial implant surgery take vs. injectable filler. For patients who are looking for a quick, easy, and repeatable treatment, dermal fillers are the best option for cheek augmentation. All you need is an afternoon with your plastic surgeon, and you'll be as good as done.

A facial implant will take far longer - and maybe more than one session, though having more than one treatment is rare. It's something that you'll need to devote extensive amounts of time and effort for, not only for the procedure itself but also for everything that comes after.

Will The Treatment Hurt?

Anesthetics aren't an issue for cheek implants vs fillers - although cheek augmentation surgery will definitely require anesthetics. This means the procedure itself won't hurt, but you will experience some pain as your skin recovers from the treatment.

Facial fillers are non-invasive by design, so it's actually possible to get it done without anesthetics, or even just topical anesthetics for less discomfort. Overall, a cheek filler injection shouldn't hurt more than a usual needle shot, so patients don't have to worry about how the treatment will feel.

How Long Do I Need To Recover?

This is by far one of the biggest differences between cheek filler and chin implants. Like all types of reconstructive surgery, getting a chin implant requires extensive downtime and post-procedure aftercare. You'll need a minimum of 6 weeks for the majority of the side effects like swelling to calm down, and you should avoid intensive activities for around 2 to 4 weeks.

In contrast, dermal filler injections require almost zero downtime and aftercare - it's not uncommon for patients to resume their usual activities the day after. Some dermal fillers may require time for the filler material to settle properly underneath the skin (because the cheekbone is an area that needs to be contoured around), but aside from that you can expect little to no recovery time.

What Are The Possible Side Effects?

Side effects are another difference between cheek implants vs cheek fillers: as a surgical procedure, there are far more side effects associated with getting a cheek implant. This requires that you find an experienced cosmetic and medical provider to help you avoid the worst of the side effects, while also managing the ones that do occur after your treatment.

You'll need to find the same kind of provider for your cheek filler, but the risk of side effects and their severity for this type of treatment isn't that serious. At most, you'll experience minor swelling and bruising that goes away within days. With expert treatment, serious side effects rarely happen at all.

When to Choose Cheek Implants

The best reason why you should choose a cheek implant over a cheek filler injection is the permanence of the results. Once you get a cheek implant, you can safely expect that your results will last for life.

Among other things, choosing cheek implants also give you:

• More volume in your cheek/jawline if needed
• A defined structure that doesn't easily adjust or fade away with time
• No need to worry about repeat appointments - just the one procedure needed
• Lower overall cost with just a one-time charge

Cheek implants are also the better choice for patients who have experienced dramatic weight loss and are looking for body contouring since the volume provided by implants is often far more visible compared to dermal filler treatments.

When to Choose Cheek Filler Injection

If you're not sure you're ready to commit to the permanent results of cheek implants, cheek filler injection is the best choice. It's far easier to get into (and out of) compared to cheek implants, and can easily give you the results that you want with minimal time and effort required.

Cheek filler injection can also:

• Suit you if you're looking for subtle alterations to your facial contour
• Be safely and easily removed if you're not satisfied with your treatment
• Help improve other areas aside from the cheek within the same procedure
• Have other benefits like hydrating the skin aside from changing its appearance

While the repeat applications required of cheek filler injection may seem a bit of a hassle to go through, you do have the option of choosing from dermal fillers that last longer compared to other brands. Consult your provider for more information about the best dermal filler you can choose for yourself.

Trusted Cosmetic Treatments for Everyone With Dr. Lanna

Cheek augmentation has come a long way since the days of facial plastic surgery: now a patient can have their results with the minimum amount of hassle required. It'll ultimately be up to you and your cosmetic provider to select between cheek implants vs fillers - what's important is that you find a provider that's experienced enough that they can do both.

If you're looking for help with cheek filler or facial implants, look no further than Dr. Lanna. Backed by an experienced team with state-of-the-art facilities, we can help you get the facial contours that you've been dreaming of. For more information about our services and what else we can help you with, visit our website and set up a consultation today.