Treating hollow cheeks (hyaluronic fillers)

Hollow cheeks can be padded with one’s own-fat or hyaluronic acid-based fillers.

Genetically hollow cheeks or cheeks that have sunken after weight loss or illness can be plumped up again with hyaluronic acid-based filler. The primarily water storing attributes of this volumizing material is typically injected atraumatically with a dull needle into the cheek area.

Padding cheeks and face modeling

As with face modelling many thinned out areas of the face can be plumped up again. Performed with a dull needle, this procedure is very practical because it is relatively pain free and leaves hardly any bruising, therefore, requiring practically no downtime. So you are immediately socially presentable.

Own-fat or hyaluronic acid-based filler?

Both own-fat and hyaluronic acid-based gel are suitable fillers. Own-fat is harvested through liposuction. The attained fat is relatively watery and has little lifting capacity. Therefore, the area to be padded must first be over-padded. Meaning, the cheeks will be very thick at first, but then slowly a large portion of volume (water) will be eliminated by the body’s own normal tissue drainage. A part of the fat volume can then permanently take root. Own-fat does not cost anything. However, the operating expenses must be taken into consideration.

Hyaluronic acid is expensive, but immediately increases the injected area with volume. Padding cheeks can be done at one or over several sittings with 1 or 1.5 ml hyaluronic acid-based gel per cheek at a time. The break-down thereafter is quite individual. However, even after one year a measurable amount of volume remains when several milliliters have been used. A stable hyaluronic acid-based filler should be used, which during its break-down, promotes new tissue growth and thereby reducing the actual amount of filler needed later on.

Side effects and risks

The thinned out cheek areas can generally be padded without complications. The implanted gel is well palpable at first. In the depths of the cheek the gel could possibly accumulate unevenly. Granuloma formation is also possible but can be treated. Bruising, herpes activation and infection are also possible side effects. Here you will find general side effects from treatment with hyaluronic acid-based gel. Pain perception is quite individual, but based on experience treatment is relatively pain free.