The Latest on Non-Surgical Cosmetic Cheek Enhancement

Nothing characterizes natural, stunning beauty quite like high, sculpted cheekbones. In fact, cosmetic physicians around the globe agree that more than any other feature, your cheekbones are credited with shaping what society considers to be authentic facial beauty—more than your lips, more than your chin, more than your nose, and even more than your eyes.

Unfortunately, like most facial features, the cheeks tend to change over time—and not for the better. As you age, it’s very common for your cheeks to develop fine lines and form wrinkles, and for cheeks to start to sag.

In addition, your cheeks also start to lose volume, with a reduction in stored superficial layers of facial fat and the development of nasolabial folds—the deep furrows or creases that appear between your nose and mouth. You might know these nasolabial folds better as “smile lines” or “laugh lines.”

The age-defying option for beautiful cheeks

For years, the only solution to remedy age-related changes to your cheeks was to undergo a painful, invasive, and expensive surgical cheek implant procedure.

Fortunately, the development of non-surgical procedures to correct volume loss has led to a whole new range of safe, effective cheek enhancements designed to replace the volume and shape that have been lost over time.

But cheek enhancement isn’t just for preventing aging

In addition to reducing the fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging associated with aging, we are also seeing a trend of more and more people under the age of 40 turning to nonsurgical cosmetic cheek enhancement procedures as an affordable, safe, and effective way to bolster flat and under-developed cheekbones while also creating a more symmetrical, youthful, softer look.

According to the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM), the number of non-surgical procedures performed continues to rise, increasing by over 450% since 1997. The use of treatment to improve fine lines and wrinkles has increased by 600%, and there was also a 205% increase in the number of soft tissue procedures, including cheek enhancement, performed during this time.

Cheek enhancement: the non-surgical option for beautiful results

Similar to the process used for non-cosmetic lip definition treatments, cosmetic physicians use a series of gel-based treatments designed to fill, plump, and shape the cheeks and areas around the cheekbones to produce the results desired by their clients.

How cheek enhancement work

Aesthetic treatments for cheeks are available in a number of different formulations, each with their own specific advantages and benefits.

When it comes to cheek enhancement, most cosmetic physicians opt for hyaluronic acid (HA) based treatment to increase volume and for reshaping the cheeks; but HA-based options are not the only type of injectable cheek filler.

All of these cosmetic treatments not only provide lift and volume to your cheeks and surrounding areas, but are also used to shape the cheek area, creating a softer, slimmer appearance with better symmetry and results that are unique, or “custom” to your face.

Different types of cheek enhancements: understanding your options

Since cheek enhancement procedures are highly customizable, as mentioned earlier, cosmetic physicians typically use one of four types of treatments; each producing a slightly different result. These include:

Hyaluronic acid treatment

The preferred cheek enhancement option of cosmetic physicians, hyaluronic acid (HA) treatments are primarily used to plump and fill your laugh lines. HA-based treatments are also used to improve your cheek’s volume and lift immediately after injection.

Hyaluronic acid is a very safe, naturally occurring substance produced by the body. Most often found in skin cells and connective tissue, HA’s main function is to retain water to keep the tissue of your cheek cells well lubricated, hydrated, and plump.

Other Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Injections Include:

• Creating a softer, more radiant appearance
• Filling in fine lines, creating a younger, healthier appearance, and
• Providing antioxidant properties to protect cheek cells from further damage caused by oxidative stress, free radicals, and other harmful environmental and lifestyle factors.

Other cheek enhancement options

Poly-l-lactic acid

An alternative treatment used in cosmetic medicine is poly-L-lactic acid. It is a synthetic, biocompatible substance that is biodegradable and classified as a collagen stimulator. Used primarily to restore volume and structure lost with age, it works by stimulating the production of collagen and encourages gradual results over several months.

Typically used for treatment and correction of very deep wrinkles, poly-L-lactic acid treatments produce results that can last for up to two years.

Calcium Hydroxyapatite

This compound is a soft gel treatment produced from calcium hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring substance found in our bones and often used for treating lines and wrinkles considered to be moderate or severe. Calcium hydroxyapatite is generally thicker than typical HA treatments and commonly provides noticeable results for up to one year after injection.

Preferred for its ability to provide both instant and progressive results, Radiesse restores lost cheek volume and encourages your skin’s natural collagen production.

What does a typical cheek enhancement procedure look like?

Cheek enhancement treatments, along with other procedures to correct facial structure, are growing in popularity. They are also affordable and have a long history of being both safe and effective.

Like most cosmetic procedures, a procedure for your cheek begins with a consultation with Dr. Allison, who will perform a full facial assessment to better determine the most effective type of treatment for your cheeks to best achieve the results you are looking for.

The cheek enhancement procedure itself is non-invasive, involves a series of treatments using small needles, and usually takes between 15- and 30-minutes from start to finish. Patients are generally able to return to normal activities right after leaving the procedure. The results are immediate and last for up to 24 months.

Who is Dr Scott Allison?

Dr. Scott Allison is an expert Cosmetic Physician and Brisbane-based international trainer on aesthetic procedures. With extensive experience in treatments to improve hydration and volume loss, Dr. Scott can tailor a treatment to suit your individual needs. To get started, book a consultation or call 1300 165 374.

References

1 “Aesthetic Trends in 2019 & 2018 According to the IAPAM ….” https://iapam.com/aesthetic-trends-2019-iapam.html