cheek fillers
As we age, we lose volume in the face, and the cheek area is particularly susceptible to this. The skin of the cheeks loses support and elasticity, causing the cheeks to sag and even sink in. Treatment with fillers can restore support to the cheeks, make them fuller, and subtly lift the mid-face without making the cheeks appear puffy. This results in a fresh and younger appearance.
At Cosmopolitan Clinic in Amsterdam, our BIG-registered doctors perform this treatment with an eye for a natural result. On this page, you can read what a cheek treatment with fillers entails, how it is performed, what you can expect from the result, and what the costs are.
Table of contents
- What happens to the cheeks as you age?
- What fillers in the cheeks do
- Benefits and points to consider
- Which filler suits your cheeks?
- This is how the treatment proceeds, step by step.
- Cheeks and cheekbones together for more lift
- Result and shelf life
- Recovery and aftercare
- Risks and side effects
- Who is the treatment suitable for?
- How much does a cheek treatment cost?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the cheeks as you age?
The cheeks owe their youthful shape to subcutaneous fat, firm skin, and the underlying bone structure. From approximately the age of thirty, the fatty tissue in the mid-face gradually decreases and shifts downwards. At the same time, the skin produces less collagen, causing it to lose support and elasticity. The result is a flatter or sunken mid-face, sometimes with dimples or shadowing under the cheekbones. A genetically slimmer face or rapid weight changes can also make the cheeks appear sunken.
What fillers in the cheeks do
Using a filler, the doctor restores volume to targeted areas of the cheek. This restores the natural curves of the mid-face, making your face look fuller and more balanced again. Because the cheek receives support, a slight lifting effect is also created: the area around the nasolabial folds and the corners of the mouth is supported upwards along with it. The goal is always a result that suits your face—full enough to look rested, but never so full that the cheeks become puffy.
Benefits and points to consider
The treatment is non-surgical, brief, and you can walk out the door immediately afterward. The result is largely immediately visible and feels natural. However, it is good to know that the effect is temporary and that slight swelling or a single bruise may occur during the first few days. Also, it is true that more filler is not automatically better. An experienced doctor consciously chooses the right amount so that your facial expressions and movements are preserved.
Which filler suits your cheeks?
There are roughly two types of fillers for the cheeks. Hyaluronic acid fillers provide immediate volume and are easy to control, making them suitable for subtle corrections. Biostimulating fillers based on calcium hydroxylapatite, such as Radiesse, not only add volume but also stimulate the skin to produce its own collagen, which provides extra firmness. Which choice suits you best depends on your skin, the degree of volume loss, and your wishes. Our doctor will discuss this during the consultation and can also inform you about additional options such as a skin booster or Profhilo for skin quality.
This is how the treatment proceeds, step by step.
Every treatment begins with a consultation. The doctor examines your facial shape, skin quality, and the degree of volume loss, and develops a plan together with you. Next, the skin is cleansed and marked. Then, the doctor applies the filler to strategic points in the cheek using a fine needle or a blunt cannula. A cannula reduces the risk of bruising and helps ensure even filling. The treatment itself takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes. Afterward, the doctor immediately assesses the result and provides advice on aftercare.
Cheeks and cheekbones together for more lift
The cheeks are often treated together with the cheekbones for a maximum lifting effect. The cheekbones form, as it were, the frame of the mid-face. By first providing subtle support there and filling the cheeks within, a natural, lifted shape is created, rather than just adding volume to a single spot. Our doctor therefore always looks at the face as a whole and discusses with you whether a combined treatment would be beneficial.
Result and shelf life
The result is largely immediately visible and continues to develop over the first two weeks, once the slight swelling has subsided. Hyaluronic acid fillers remain visible for an average of six to twelve months, while biostimulating fillers often last somewhat longer because they stimulate collagen production. How long the result lasts varies from person to person and depends on factors such as your skin type, age, and lifestyle. A maintenance treatment keeps the result at a consistent level.
Recovery and aftercare
After the treatment, you can usually resume your daily activities immediately. To maintain the beautiful result, we recommend not massaging or firmly touching the treated cheeks for the first 48 hours. Avoid intensive exercise on the first day and stay out of the sauna, tanning bed, and strong sunlight for two weeks. You can cool any slight swelling or bruising and camouflage it with makeup later, once the puncture sites have closed.
Risks and side effects
A filler treatment in the cheeks is safe when performed by an experienced, BIG-registered physician. The most common side effects are temporary: slight swelling, redness, or a bruise at the injection site, which disappear within a few days. Serious complications are rare with a correctly performed treatment using temporary fillers. During the consultation, the doctor discusses your health and any specific concerns so that the treatment is safely tailored to you.
Who is the treatment suitable for?
The treatment is suitable for adults suffering from sunken or sagging cheeks who wish to regain volume and definition naturally without surgery. In cases of significant volume loss, dimples, or a tired appearance, a cheek treatment often yields beautiful results. The treatment is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, in the event of an active skin infection at the treatment site, or in the case of certain allergies. Are you unsure if this is right for you? The doctor will give you honest advice during the consultation.
How much does a cheek treatment cost?
A cheek filler treatment at Cosmopolitan Clinic starts at 450 euros. The final price depends on the quantity and type of filler required. During the consultation, you will receive a clear price estimate in advance, so you will never face any surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do cheek fillers last?
Hyaluronic acid fillers remain visible for an average of six to twelve months. Biostimulating fillers often last somewhat longer. The exact duration varies per person, depending on skin type, age, and lifestyle.
Don't the cheeks look puffy or unnatural?
No, provided the treatment is performed with the correct amount and technique. Our doctors deliberately opt for a subtle build-up so that your cheeks look fuller while still maintaining their natural movement.
How much filler is needed for the cheeks?
This varies per person and per degree of volume loss. On average, one to two milliliters is sufficient; more may be needed in cases of more significant loss. The doctor determines this during the consultation.
Does a cheek treatment with fillers hurt?
Most people find the treatment well tolerated. The fillers often contain an anesthetic, and the doctor can use additional anesthesia if necessary for greater comfort.
What is the difference between filling in the cheeks and the cheekbones?
For the cheekbones, the emphasis is on accentuating the contour higher up in the face, while for the cheeks, it is on restoring volume in the mid-face. The two complement each other and are therefore often combined.
Can I combine a cheek treatment with another treatment?
Yes. The cheeks are often combined with the cheekbones or with a treatment of the nasolabial folds for a harmonious overall look. Your doctor will advise on what will give the most beautiful result in your case.
Personal advice
Our doctors can inform you about the treatment of sagging or sunken cheeks using fillers. Would you like to know what is possible for your face? Then schedule a no-obligation consultation at Cosmopolitan Clinic in Amsterdam. Also view our pages on cheekbone fillers, fillers in general, and the liquid facelift, or contact us directly.
