Cheek & Midface Filler Columbus, OH

Cheek filler is one of the most impactful injections in the realm of non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Volumizing the cheeks influences the nasolabial folds, lower eyelids, and lower cheeks without adding any volume to those areas, contributing to overall facial optimization. Volume loss and asymmetry can also be bolstered due to our genetics or environmental factors (like learned speech behaviors or sleeping or chewing on one side of your face) which can be counterbalanced through the use of cheek filler.

The Triangle of Youth

In our youth, facial features are defined and well-contoured. This is commonly known as the Triangle of Youth. Younger-looking faces tend to be widest in the midface and taper inward towards the bottom, suggestive of the shape of an inverted triangle. 

Through the aging process, we lose volume in the midface,  the bottom half of our face to look heavier than the top. The triangle inverts with age into what is referred to as the Triangle of Aging, characterized by flattened cheekbones, deepening skin folds, and a loss of jawline definition.

Why it’s important to treat from the top down:

Patients will come often come in because they dislike their nasolabial folds or they are starting to develop for marionette lines. However, these issues occur because the midface volume has been lost. Instead of chasing the problem from the bottom up, going back in and restoring some of that volume loss through the midface can help to lift the skin back up. This will always lead to a much more natural result than just addressing the lower face problem.

What Is The Ogee Curve?

In facial anatomy, the ogee curve describes the visible projection of the cheekbone from a 45-degree angle. It is a gentle S-shaped curve of the face beginning at the temple, extending across the cheekbone, down the cheek, and down to the jaw. It is seen prominently in those with youthful fullness of the temples and cheeks and a slight hollow beneath the cheekbone. Some would say people with an ideal ogee curve have “high cheekbones”; examples of celebrities with optimal ogee curves include Natalie Portman, Angelina Jolie, and Naomi Campbell.

As we age, facial bone structure changes, soft tissues deflate and fall due to gravity, and skin sags and droops downward. Our facial fat-pads shift and lose prominence, while the fat pads beneath the chin become more noticeable. This fullness between the neck and chin is commonly known as a double chin and/or joweling. 

The cheek’s fat pads are just as important as our bone structure in contributing to shape and overall youthfulness of the face. Thicker, more structural fillers can be used in deep tissues to compensate for loss of bone volume while thinner, more plumping fillers can be used to replace fat volume that we had in our youth. The effect is a more youthful and healthy-looking visage.

Just about everyone is a candidate for a cheek augmentation, depending on what their concerns are. Because increasing volume adds another light source to the upper part of the face (much like makeup highlighter does), cheek filler can certainly work well for the younger population. If a patient is just starting to see some of the common signs of aging through the middle of the face, and we are looking to prevent further laxity and maintain those facial curves of youth, cheek filler is a perfect answer for that as well. There is no ideal age for this treatment because every age demographic can usually benefit from increased curvature in the midface.

If you are someone who is seeing true signs of aging and you wish to minimize them, cheek filler is an excellent place to start because it addresses not only midface volume, but also facial symmetry, undereye hollowness, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and sagging in the lower face (also known as “jowels”). Cheek filler is essentially the universal filler treatment; midface correction should be discussed with every filler appointment because it addresses the root cause of other facial concerns, and improves the area where you receive most of your facial structure.

Because cheek filler is mainly to volumize, we typically use a heavier, more viscous filler in those areas. Products like Voluma, Radiesse, and RHA 4 are hyaluronic fillers scientifically developed to be more robust in order to create structure in the areas that need it. The reason we want to use these stronger fillers, as opposed to something like Volbella, is due to the viscosity and the structure of the molecules themselves. These volumizing fillers are manufactured to not be as pliable, so they hold their shape to give the midface definition.

Sometimes, softer fillers like RHA 2 or 3 or Vollure may be added to create some natural curvature in addition to a more structured filler. Your injector may recommend a customized combination of differently structured fillers for an end result that looks most natural and moves dynamically.

How big is a syringe of filler?

A syringe of filler is 1ml, which is equal to the volume of a fourth of a teaspoon. Most people who want cheek filler will need more than one syringe for full correction. Your injection specialist will talk to you about your desires and will recommend a customized treatment plan to get you there.

Cheek filler can last anywhere from one to two years on average, at which point your body will naturally begin to break it down and it will dissolve over time. Fillers break down due to two factors: the natural hyaluronidase in our bodies that metabolizes it, and the dynamic movements of our bodies that degenerate it. Cheek fillers typically last longer than others due to their manufacturing, and due to the nature of our cheeks’ limited movement. Maintaining good skin health and minimizing pressure to the face can also help to extend the life of your cheek filler.

The cost of filler varies depending on the area we are treating and the amount of product needed for the desired results. A syringe of filler typically costs somewhere between $700 and $900.

When you meet with your injector, you will first talk about the areas that most bother you and anything you are unhappy with. They will spend time talking with you about your different treatment options, what products they think will be best for you, and any possible risks associated with treatment. Once you have had your consultation, you will have the option to go ahead and receive your treatment the same day.

Before receiving cheek fillers, your injector may take before pictures, take measurements, or mark your face for treatment. Your bone structure, facial musculature, and facial fat distribution are all taken into account before a needle is even introduced to your appointment. Once this planning step is complete, your injector will prepare your filler and may apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment area. They will explain to you each step they will take and what you will feel during your treatment, and then you will be injected.

When your treatment is done, you will be able to see your results right away and ask your injector to make any refinements that are necessary. You will be given an ice pack to reduce possible swelling and you have the option to purchase an arnica gel to help with any possible bruising. Aside from that, there is little to no downtime for cheek fillers — you are able to return to your daily life and resume normal activity immediately after your treatment.

In the hands of an experienced injector, cheek augmentation tends to be a straightforward and low-risk procedure. However, as with any injectable treatment, there are risks associated with the use of dermal filler. The most common risks include bruising and swelling at the injection site, and temporary discomfort during the procedure and in the days following. Inflammation and bumpiness are also possible side effects. More serious complications, such as vascular occlusion or involvement, are possible but uncommon. The most important thing is that your injector recognizes these risks, is licensed and experienced, and has educated you on the procedure. Filler can also be dissolved by your injector through the use of a hyaluronidase solution.

Learn More About Fillers & Their Safety

From the standpoint of aesthetics alone, it is important to put your faith (and your face) in the hands of an injector who has been trained in facial aesthetics and understands how the face moves, changes, ages for the best result. You will be much better off choosing an injector you are confident in than having a poor treatment done that needs to be remedied and then corrected.

At Donaldson Plastic Surgery, we are a team of clinically-minded providers who place your health and safety above all else. You will never be sold an unnecessary treatment, and we are simply not afraid to say no if the potential risk outweighs the potential reward. We make the promise to every patient that their safety is always our top priority, and that our excellent reputation is a direct result of our commitment to setting best practices.