Permanent Cheek Filler: Is It Worth It? Exploring Pros and Cons

All You Need to Know About Permanent Cheek Fillers: Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives

When it comes to facial enhancements, cheek fillers are a popular choice. Permanent cheek fillers, once a popular choice for enhancing facial features, have seen a gradual decline in preference. 

These fillers offer a long-term solution for individuals looking to add volume or definition to their cheeks, an appeal that still draws in a segment of the population.

On the other hand, temporary cheek fillers, also widely known as dermal fillers, have been gaining ground in recent years. They provide similar benefits as their permanent counterparts but come with less risk and more flexibility. 

As we delve deeper into the world of cheek fillers, we'll unpack the reasons behind this shift and explore the relative merits of permanent versus temporary options.

Permanent Fillers: A Closer Look at Long-lasting Cheek Enhancement

Permanent cheek fillers are injectable fillers that offer a long-lasting or even permanent solution to improve cheeks and facial contours.

The procedure revolves around the injection of substances, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres or transferred fat cells, which are designed to remain in your skin indefinitely, enhancing your cheeks' contour.

These microspheres are delivered into the deeper layers of the skin via a technique called tunneling or threading, effectively enhancing the contour of your cheeks. 

Examining the Varieties: Types of Permanent Fillers

When the subject of permanent fillers comes up, two other options deserve some spotlight: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Fillers and Autologous Fat Injections. They both carry a promise of long-lasting results, but their applications and processes differ significantly.

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a non-biodegradable material, enabling it to retain its form for an extended period, often up to five years, earning it the 'permanent' label.

The injection stimulates collagen production over time, providing a fuller and more youthful appearance to the cheeks even after the initial collagen injection breaks down.

However, PMMA fillers are more frequently used for deep facial wrinkles like nasolabial folds or filling acne scars due to their denser formulation.

Autologous Fat Injections

On the other hand, autologous fat injections utilize your own fat cells as fillers, harvested typically from your abdomen or buttocks. This procedure adds volume and contour to areas like lips using your body's own resources.

However, this method carries may carry unpredictability. Many transferred fat cells may not survive the transfer, and only those successfully integrated into the recipient tissue will ensure a lasting effect.

Choosing between these options should always be done under the supervision of a professional, considering the potential results and risks. Informative discussions with your healthcare provider will aid in finding the most suitable choice for you, supporting a safe and satisfying cosmetic journey.

The Potential Risks: Understanding the Side Effects of Permanent Fillers

Permanent fillers come with a set of potential risks that every individual should consider before proceeding with the treatment.

Here's a rundown of the most common risks associated with these procedures.

1. Swelling: Swelling is a usual immediate response to the injections. This effect is generally temporary and should dissipate within a few days.
2. Bruising: Some bruising may be observed at the injection sites. Typically, this effect fades away within a fortnight.
3. Infection: Though rare, the risk of infection can happen after filler injections. Any sign of infection, such as persistent redness, swelling, or pain, necessitates immediate medical attention.
4. Allergic Reaction: An allergy to the components of the filler material is also a rare but serious concern. Symptoms like hives, facial or lip swelling, or breathing difficulties require urgent medical intervention.
5. Migration: One issue specifically linked with permanent fillers is migration, where the injected substance moves to other areas, possibly resulting in lumps or deformities.
6. Granuloma Formation: A granuloma is an inflammatory reaction that might occur around the injection site, potentially causing lumps or deformities. Surgery might be necessary to rectify this.
7. Blindness: An extremely rare but severe complication is blindness. This can happen if the filler obstructs blood vessels in the eye.

Permanent cheek fillers, while offering a long-term solution, are associated with significant and irreversible side effects. 

The permanency of these substances allows less room for error or adjustments over time, posing potential risks that can be challenging to rectify. This has led experts to recommend temporary fillers as safer alternatives.

Opting for Change: The Advantage of Temporary Fillers

Despite the allure of permanent fillers, temporary fillers have emerged as the recommended path to achieve the facial enhancements you desire.

These temporary or dermal fillers work their magic by augmenting the volume in and around your cheekbones, crafting an impression of a sharper and more defined facial structure. In addition, they can seamlessly soften the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Among the FDA-approved choices for temporary cheek fillers, you'll find names like hyaluronic acid brands (Juvederm, Restylane), calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse), and poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra). The essence of these fillers lies in their biodegradable nature—they're designed to be naturally absorbed by your body over time.

The duration of their effects can vary, generally ranging between six to eighteen months. This timeframe hinges on a few factors, including the specific type of filler used and the facial area targeted.

Overall, temporary fillers offer a safer and more versatile route towards achieving your aesthetic goals, allowing for periodic adjustments to cater to your changing needs and preferences.

Exploring Choices: The Comprehensive Guide to Temporary Cheek Fillers

As the demand for achieving fuller and more youthful-looking cheeks rises, temporary dermal filler injections have earned a spot in the limelight of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. 

Providing customized solutions for individual needs, these treatments aim to diminish the signs of aging and revitalize your appearance.

Let's talk about the most common types of facial fillers:

Juvederm Ultra Plus XC and Juvederm Voluma XC

Juvederm introduces two hyaluronic acid fillers with distinct capabilities: Juvederm Ultra Plus XC and Juvederm Voluma XC.

• Juvederm Ultra Plus XC: Renowned for its thicker gel-like structure, this filler provides ample volume to address moderate to severe wrinkles, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and age-related loss of cheek fullness. By improving skin hydration, it helps enhance cheek elasticity and texture.
• Juvederm Voluma XC: This denser hyaluronic acid-based filler adds substantial volume to hollowed cheeks. In a clinical study, 86% of patients observed enhanced facial volume within six months, and 75% remained satisfied with their results up to two years post-treatment.
  

Restylane Lyft and Restylane Contour

Restylane, a reputable name in dermal filler products, offers two hyaluronic acid-based solutions that have transformed the way we deal with saggy or sunken cheeks: Restylane Lyft and Restylane Contour. 

This duo helps restore lost elasticity and volume in the skin by leveraging hyaluronic acid's hydrating and plumping effects.

• Restylane Lyft: Packed with larger particles and a firmer composition, this filler is adept at visibly lifting the cheeks and maintaining their shape and fullness. A solution for volume loss in the cheeks and midface area, Lyft is so versatile it can even rejuvenate the hands.
• Restylane Contour: Created with XpresHan Technology™, this filler provides excellent flexibility, allowing natural facial movements and expressions post-injection. Designed specifically for enhancing cheeks and creating softer contours, Restylane Contour has helped about 91% of patients see improvements within three months, according to clinical trials.
  

Radiesse and Sculptra

Radiesse is a collagen-stimulating filler consisting of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres. It's a fantastic solution for enhancing cheek volume, contouring cheeks, smoothing deep wrinkles and nasolabial folds. The results of this treatment have been reported to last up to 30 months post-injection.

Sculptra, on the other hand, is composed of poly-L-lactic acid, which is a biocompatible filler that stimulates natural collagen production in your body. It's effective for addressing sunken cheeks, facial lines, and deep nasolabial folds, with results reportedly lasting up to 25 months.

Permanent Vs Temporary Fillers

Understanding the differences between permanent and temporary fillers is critical to making an informed decision about your aesthetic enhancement.

It's worth remembering that while the choice ultimately hinges on personal preference, the trend within the aesthetic industry leans towards temporary fillers for reasons we'll outline below.

A Comparative Look at Two Fillers

Permanent fillers come with the promise of enduring results, bypassing the need for frequent touch-ups.

However, their irreversible nature and propensity for serious complications, such as swelling, bruising, infections, allergic reactions, filler migration, granulomas, and even blindness, cast a considerable cloud over their long-lasting appeal.

Conversely, temporary fillers, while requiring regular maintenance, offer safer, more flexible, and more controlled results. Their biodegradable nature allows the body to naturally absorb them, mitigating long-term complications. Moreover, their effects are reversible, providing an extra layer of safety.

They come in a broad spectrum of options like Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Sculptra, each designed to address specific aesthetic needs, from minimizing wrinkles to cheek augmentation.

Factors	Permanent Fillers	Temporary Fillers
Longevity	Indefinite duration	Lasts between 6 to 18 months, subject to the filler type and treatment area
Safety	Elevated risk of complications	Reduced risk of complications due to the body's natural absorption of the filler
Reversibility	Nearly impossible to reverse without surgical intervention	Effects can be easily reversed
Flexibility	One-size-fits-all	Offers a variety of filler types to cater to individual needs and preferences
Maintenance	Little to no maintenance	Regular maintenance required, frequency depends on the specific filler used

While permanent fillers might appear more convenient due to their longevity, temporary fillers carry fewer risks and offer more flexibility and control over your desired outcome. Always consult with a professional to determine the best course of action suited to your unique facial characteristics and aesthetic goals.

Claim the Power of Dermal Fillers with Dr. Lanna Aesthetics

The results from your cheek enhancement can vary significantly depending on the type of dermal filler used. 

At Dr. Lanna Aesthetics, we prioritize the initial consultation to better understand your aesthetic goals and recommend the most suitable injectable filler for your specific requirements. 

We specialize in hyaluronic acid products and collagen stimulators, ensuring you have a diverse range of options for enhancing your cheek appearance.

Our aesthetic team is well-versed in the art of cheek augmentation, using temporary dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse. 

We pride ourselves on delivering successful cheek filler procedures with minimal downtime and side effects, allowing you to continue your routine with a refreshed and rejuvenated look.

Contact us today to book a consultation or to learn more about our services at Dr. Lanna Aesthetics. Your journey towards ageless beauty starts here.