Cheek fillers: What you NEED to know before the procedure from cost to how long it lasts plus whether it’s safe
DERMAL fillers, or cheek fillers, are an increasingly popular cosmetic treatment in the UK.
But what exactly are they, how long will they last, and how much do dermal fillers cost? Here’s everything you need to know.
What are cheek fillers?
“Cheek fillers” is an expression which encompasses a whole range of products and substances.
In layman’s terms, it is a cosmetic treatment that is designed to add volume, contour the face and rejuvenate.
Dermal fillers help to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
They are also used to re-introduce structure and volume.
According to , there are several types of material suitable for dermal fillers.
Hyaluronic acid and polylactic acid are recommended for use in the cheek and under-eye area, and are both temporary.
Other fillers, such as Radiesse are also used off-label for this area.
How much do cheek fillers cost?
The price of dermal fillers depends on the area treated, as well as the amount of product used.
Another factor which determines the price is the complexity of the procedure – for example, a non-surgical rhinoplasty (nose job) requires a lot of skill and medical knowledge and should only be performed by a practitioner with experience.
Cheek fillers do tend to be on the pricier end of the scale, as often a lot more product is used to add structure to the face.
How long do cheek fillers last?
On average, most dermal fillers will last between 12-14 months, with some lasting even longer.
The longevity of the dermal fillers also depends on how quickly your body breaks down the substance.
Are cheek fillers safe?
While dermal fillers were once the privilege of the few who could afford to visit high-end clinics there is an alarming trend of women visiting unregulated practitioners.
While Botox is classified as a medicine – and so subjected to rigorous clinical trials – dermal fillers are not covered by ANY laws.
Stark figures show in 80 per cent of cases fillers are injected by people with no medical training and no safety checks at all.
As a result, women are risking complications including killer sepsis, rotting tissue, blood clots, lip amputations, and scarring – while it’s estimated 200 people have gone blind from fillers.
The advises that dermal fillers are usually safe when done by an experienced and suitably qualified practitioner.
Check the person doing your dermal fillers is on a to show they meet set standards in training, skill and insurance.
How does the cheek fillers procedure work?
According to dermal fillers are usually administered under local anaesthetic, with the application of a pain-relieving ointment.
A dermal filler procedure takes around 30 minutes to complete, though you should add an extra 20-30 minutes if anti-pain ointment is administered, in order for it to wear off.
Hyaluronic acid is injected in small volumes under the skin with a very fine needle. The gel then adds volume to the skin, and leads to smoother wrinkles or plumper cheeks.
Are cheek fillers safe?
Traditionally, facial fillers were mostly made of collagen – which often gave a clunky, bumpy appearance.
However, nowadays some of the most popular types of filler are made from HA (hyaluronic acid).
Hyaluronic acid isn’t as scary as it sounds – it is actually a naturally-occurring molecule found within the body, and is responsible for attracting and retaining water.
For this reason, HA fillers tend to give a much softer result and they break down without leaving residue in the body.
It is always advisable that you book a consultation in advance and meet with your practitioner.
Be sure to ask them how many procedures they have performed, how long they have been treating and whether they have before and after images available.
In more cosmetic surgery news, these are the ten things you need to ask before getting filler injections.
And these horrific photos show when fillers go wrong from rotting tissue to chunks of lip falling out.