Can Cheek Filler Make You Look Fat?

Cheek fillers can restore volume and lift without surgery and have been a proven solution to preventing the downsides of an aging face. Naturally, you have questions. Will fillers distort your face? Are there risks? How long do results last?

We'll discuss everything about enhancing cheek volume through filler injections - the types available, benefits and risks to consider, what to expect during treatment, and how to maintain new contours.

With insights from cosmetic experts, discover if cheek augmentation is right for your aesthetic goals.

Do Cheek Fillers Make Your Face Look Fuller or Plumper?

It all comes down to the provider's technique and your goals. When performed by a skilled injector, fillers can subtly enhance natural contours and restore a youthful cheek profile. The changes are understated, not drastic.

However, in less experienced hands, excessive filler or poor placement risks making the face look wider or distorted.

An expert provider will thoroughly evaluate your anatomy and objectives. They use meticulous injection methods and conservative filler amounts to lift the cheeks, avoiding unnecessary fullness.

While a touch of augmentation is possible, dramatic plumping is not the purpose. Optimal outcomes stem from the provider's focus on creating a balanced, natural look.

With a customized approach and realistic expectations, you can feel assured your cheeks will take on a refreshed yet authentic shape.

Do cheek fillers make your face look thinner?

Cheek fillers can indeed make your face look thinner, depending on the patient's facial structure and the injection technique used.

The fillers can be strategically placed to create the illusion of high cheekbones, lift the natural contours of the face, and restore youthful volume, which can result in a slimmer appearance.

• For instance, in a younger patient who wants more prominent cheekbones, cheek fillers may make the face look thinner.
• However, those carrying extra fullness in the cheeks and jaw may not experience slimming from fillers alone. If the lack of cheekbone definition is masked under facial fat, injecting volume can simply appear inflated.
• For a fuller face, strategic thinning of the lower cheeks and jawline may better complement the existing contours.

Do Cheek Fillers Make a Noticeable Difference in Your Appearance?

One of the most sought-after benefits of dermal filler injections is the ability to gently reshape contours for a less aged-looking and balanced facial structure. Common improvements include:

• Restoring volume loss in the midface for higher, arching cheekbones
• Lifting sagging cheeks for a tauter jawline and profile
• Filling hollows under the eyes, reducing dark circles
• Smoothing pronounced nasolabial folds from the nose to mouth
• Adding projection to correct a flat or asymmetric chin
• Creating greater harmony and proportion between facial features

What Are the Potential Benefits and Risks of Cheek Filler Injections?

Cheek augmentation with dermal fillers offers many coveted benefits for facial rejuvenation and shaping without surgery or downtime. But it’s important to weigh the advantages with potential risks and side effects.

Advantages:

• Non-invasive, lunchbreak procedure with no general anesthesia needed. It's important to note that some form of local anesthesia or numbing agent is often used to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
• Customizable results, from subtle to dramatic lifting and contouring. 
• Immediate improvements that appear smooth and natural when properly done. However, results can still vary depending on the type of filler used and the individual's response to the treatment.
• Typically long-lasting but not permanent if preferences change. Some fillers can last a few months, while others can last up to a year or more.
• Avoid the scarring and long recovery of facial implants.

Risks and Side Effects:

• Mild swelling, bruising, tenderness at injection sites that typically subside within a few days to a week
• Unevenness, lumpiness if the filler is over-injected
• Rare risk of allergic reaction to hyaluronic acid fillers. Individuals with certain allergies, autoimmune conditions, or skin diseases may need to avoid certain types of fillers
• Does not lift sagging skin as effectively as a facelift procedure

Proper patient education and adherence to post-procedure guidelines can help minimize risks like swelling and asymmetry. 

What Does the Cheek Filler Procedure Involve?

Wondering what it’s like to get cheek filler injections? Here’s a preview of what to expect during treatment:

• A topical numbing cream, containing a combination of benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine, is applied to maximize comfort. Some fillers also contain lidocaine to numb as they are injected.
• The injection sites are thoroughly cleaned using a 60-70% alcohol solution on a sterile swab, wiping outward from the injection site center and allowing it to fully dry.
• Using a very fine needle, small amounts of filler are precisely injected by your provider.
• Your provider may massage the area to distribute the filler evenly and achieve natural contours. You may also be advised to gently massage treated areas yourself for 5 minutes a few times daily for 1-2 weeks, avoiding excessive rubbing.
• Appointments typically take 15-30 minutes but can extend up to 2 hours depending on the filler amount and type used.
• Patients can usually return to normal activities immediately but should avoid facials or skin treatments for 2 weeks post-injection.

How Can I Maximize and Maintain My Cheek Filler Results?

Cheek fillers offer improvement that lasts, typically 6 to 24 months depending on the type used. Hyaluronic acid fillers usually last about one year, while polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) fillers can last for years.

Following some essential steps helps prolong your results. Remember these few guidelines:

• Adhere to your provider’s post-procedure instructions, like avoiding strenuous exercise for 24 hours after injections which can increase swelling and asymmetry. Use cool compresses to minimize temporary puffiness.
• Patients should avoid touching, pressing, rubbing, or manipulating the treated areas for the rest of the day after treatment.
• Refrain from consuming certain foods and substances, such as alcohol, caffeine, niacin supplements, high-sodium foods, high-sugar foods, refined carbohydrates, spicy foods, and cigarettes for 24-48 hours after treatment.
• Consistent skin care is vital — hydration plumps and preserves filler volume while sunscreen prevents UV damage that breaks down collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin.
• Schedule maintenance appointments before filler absorbs completely — it’s easier to maintain volume than recreate lost fullness. Most patients opt for repeat injections every 12-18 months.
• Some patients may need to return for top-up appointments every 6-12 months, while others may need fewer appointments if they use a very long-lasting filler and take good care of their skin.
• Communicate regularly with your provider about your objectives so they can recommend adjustments for continuously natural-looking cheek contours.

Schedule Your Custom Cheek Filler Evaluation

Do cheek fillers make you look fatter or distorted? Quite the contrary, dermal fillers can restore a heart-shaped, youthful lift to the cheeks and elegantly balance your facial features - with the right hands, that is. 

If you’re curious about restoring your cheek volume, schedule a consult. At Dr. Lanna Aesthetics, we specialize in cheek enhancement to help patients achieve a revived yet natural look.

One of our keys is cheek-lifting tailored to every individual's needs.

Contact us now! We can't wait to see your smile shine brighter than ever before!