Does Cheek Filler Help Fix Smile Lines?

Everyone eventually gets facial wrinkles and fine lines at some point in their lives, and one of the most common kinds of creases that you can have is smile lines or nasolabial folds. They’re a common sign of aging that can be found on the corners of your nose and can extend to your mouth. Sometimes, they may appear more prominent with drooping or hollow cheeks.

So can cheek filler injections also eliminate smile lines? Yes, cheek fillers can reduce the appearance of visible smile lines and other facial wrinkles. Restoring volume to the cheek area can help lift the skin and smoothen the creases and folds so that they won’t show up anymore whenever you smile or laugh. Some of the best smile line filler injections are Juvederm and Restylane products.

What to Know About Using Cheek Fillers for Smile Lines

Cheek fillers are a popular cosmetic treatment today that can help restore facial volume and improve contours. They’re also a great solution for minimizing age-related fine lines and severe facial wrinkles that appear around the cheeks, nose, and mouth. 

As a wrinkle treatment, dermal filler injections excel at addressing static wrinkles. These are facial creases caused by the natural loss of skin elasticity and collagen and they can show up whenever the face is at rest. 

Generally, smile lines are dynamic wrinkles and form as a result of repeated facial expression. However, they can become static wrinkles as the skin continues to lose its moisture and become saggy due to the force of gravity. In these cases, static smile lines and wrinkles can be addressed by restoring volume with dermal filler injectables. 

Cheek Filler for Smile Lines: Is It Effective?  

Yes, injectable dermal filler treatments to the cheek area can be an effective solution to smile lines. Here’s how cheek filler injections can reduce the appearance of lines around the nose and mouth:

1. Replenishing lost cheek volume

Cheek filler injections can provide immediate results for plumping up and volumizing the midface region. Once the cheeks are visibly fuller and rounder, you’ll also notice that the surrounding skin is smoother and free from deep smile lines and wrinkles. 

2. Supporting new collagen production 

Most dermal filler products contain active ingredients that can boost your skin’s production of collagen and elastin fibers. So when you receive a cheek filler injection, the material can help stimulate collagen growth which can result in firmer, more youthful cheeks and reduce the appearance of facial lines around the nose and mouth. 

3. Preventative treatment for early signs of smile lines 

You can also get cheek fillers in your early to mid-20s as a preventative measure against smile lines and other facial wrinkles. Dermal fillers are generally safe to use as a preventative treatment for the signs of skin aging and volume loss. 

However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t have wrinkles for the rest of your life. Preventative dermal fillers can help slow down or delay the development of these lines and manage their severity. 

Injecting a Cheek Filler to Reduce Smile Lines: What to Expect During the Procedure   

If you’re thinking of getting cheek augmentation without cosmetic surgery, dermal filler injections are for you. They’re a minimally invasive procedure that only requires a few, quick injections to the cheeks. Here’s an overview of the cheek filler treatment session:

• First, the provider will mark the injection sites where the cheek fillers are going to be placed. 
• These areas will then be cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of skin infections. 
• While most dermal filler products already contain lidocaine in their formulation, you may still request a topical numbing cream to have a more comfortable injection procedure. 
• Once the area is numbed, the provider will administer the cheek fillers to the injection sites. 
• The whole procedure can last about 15 to 20 minutes depending on how many fillers are being placed. 
• You can go home immediately once the injections are done and expect minor swelling, bruising, or redness for a couple of days. 

Best Cheek Filler Products to Use for Smile Lines 

Dermal filler injections vary depending on their active ingredient, formulation, and consistency. The best kinds of cheek fillers are those made of hyaluronic acid since they can provide natural-looking results. The injections should also have thicker and firmer textures so they can effectively contour and plump the cheeks. Here are the common dermal filler products that can help with smile lines:  

• Juvéderm Vollure XC - A hyaluronic acid filler with a smooth, gel-like consistency that can help restore facial volume and soften smile lines and other facial wrinkles. Its results can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months. 
• Juvéderm Voluma XC - This is another HA filler that can address age-related volume loss in the cheeks and offer a lifting effect to minimize drooping and reduce smile lines. The effects of this Juvéderm XC filler can last up to 2 years.
• Restylane Lyft - This cosmetic injectable is one of the thickest hyaluronic acid-based fillers that can be used for enhancing the cheeks and filling in nasolabial fold, marionette lines, and other severe facial wrinkles. 
• Restylane Defyne -  This cheek filler is made with XpresHAn Technology and has a firmer texture that’s suited for plumping the midface region and addressing laugh lines and nasolabial folds. 
• Restylane Silk - This is originally a lip filler but providers may also use this injectable to address visible smile lines and other wrinkles around the mouth. 

Why Is It Hard to Smile After Cheek Fillers?

Post-cheek filler care and recovery are fairly simple and don’t require any downtime. However, some patients can experience difficulty smiling after receiving the injections. This phenomenon is normal and usually caused by swelling and tenderness after the cosmetic procedure. 

Another possible reason is that the facial fillers are poorly placed in your cheeks or around your lips and mouth. This could be due to the inexperience and poor injection technique of your dermal filler provider. If this is the case, you could have your hyaluronic acid filler dissolved with another injectable (hyaluronidase) so your smile could return to normal. 

Smiling After Cheek Fillers: When Will You Be Able To Smile Normally?  

The good news is that the side effects of cheek fillers on your smile aren’t permanent. Once the post-injection swelling subsides within 2 to 3 days, you should be able to move your mouth and smile without any problem. In some cases, you may not be able to smile normally until the injectable filler has fully settled into the cheeks and this could take up to 2 weeks. 

Eliminate Smile Lines With Effective Dermal Filler Treatments at Dr. Lanna Aesthetics   

Cheek fillers can do so much more than volumizing and sculpting your cheeks – they can also get rid of pesky wrinkles and smile lines that have become static and constant in your facial skin. You can get your desired improvements when you receive your cheek injections from a master injector like Dr. Lanna.  

Dr. Lanna Aesthetics is a reliable med spa that provides high-quality dermal filler injections for your facial rejuvenation needs. We have a team of experienced specialists and injectors who can administer safe and effective cheek filler procedures to replenish lost volume and address your smile lines. Call us today to book your consultation with one of our doctors.