How Long Do Cheek Fillers Last? Expert Insights
By: Dr. Corey Hartman, Skin Wellness Dermatology
Cheek fillers are becoming more and more popular, and really, it’s no surprise. Aside from wrinkles, the loss of volume is one of the first things we start to notice as we mature. Now that we have some really great options for making up for this volume loss, it’s no wonder patients are jumping at the chance to enhance their cheeks.
All about cheek fillers and how long they really last
Before we get into how long cheek fillers last, you should know that there are different types of fillers that we can use in the cheek. The vast majority of the fillers that we use in that area are hyaluronic acid fillers, and the ones that have the highest hyaluronic acid content that brings in the most water to give you the most lift are Juvéderm Voluma and Restylane Lyft. These are specifically designed and engineered to provide volume and fullness and replace that youthful heart-shaped face that we all start to lose as we mature.
How long do cheek fillers last?
On the safe side, most cheek fillers are going to last somewhere between 12-24 months, depending on the placement and the type of filler you chose.
If you choose to use a thinner filler that isn’t really indicated for that area, it’s not going to last as long.
On the other hand, if you go with Juvéderm Voluma or Restylane Lyft, not only are these going to give you the most lift, but they’re going to give you the longest duration as well. Believe it or not, studies have shown that these can last up to two years.
I will say from experience though, that people’s eyes start to reset, so to speak. Their new normal becomes the old normal, and patients start wanting more before they really need it.
Let’s not leave out Sculptra as a valuable cheek filler
People don’t talk about Sculptra as much as the other fillers out there, and it really doesn’t get the credit it deserves, but it’s the better option for someone who’s just trying to maintain and not really impress with the cheeks tomorrow. It’s a biostimulatory filler, so it doesn’t fill immediately, but it lays down particles that your body will build collagen upon.
I always say it’s for the patient patient since you’re not going to see immediate improvement. It takes three treatments and three months after that to see the full result. But patience pays off – Sculptra lasts two years at a minimum, so it’s actually a better value.
How do cheek fillers last so long?!
Surprised at how long some cheek fillers can last? You’re not the only one. It lasts a long time due to the placement. When used higher in the cheeks, you’re really using it to simulate the bone and provide more structure.
When it’s placed that deep under the muscle and on top of the bone, you’re really not getting that same kind of movement that you would get in, say, the lips. It’s sort of protected when it’s placed in the right area and also less likely to be broken down by sunlight and all the other factors that cause aging, and that contributes to longevity as well.
Even more good news: Cheek fillers = collagen stimulation
We also now know that when placed in the right areas, hyaluronic acid fillers can stimulate collagen production. So it’s not just that the filler lasted that long, but it’s now stimulating collagen so that when you go back for retreatment, it’s not very common that you have to do as much as you did the first time. You really just need a little touch up here and there.
And no, cheek fillers aren’t going to stretch your skin when done appropriately. It’s just not true. That’s something that people ask about all the time. When you get three or four times what you’re supposed to have in your cheeks and then never maintain, there may be a component of that, but that’s not something any reputable dermatologist is going to allow.
For cheek fillers that last and look fantastic, there’s one more thing to note
When you want cheek fillers, you want them to last, and you want them to really enhance your overall facial structure. That’s why I have to get patients to realize that when you’re filling the cheeks, you really need to think of it as the upper face and may need to also put a little bit into the temples. You have to keep everything in balance.
If we start augmenting the cheeks and ignore an area that’s going in the exact opposite direction, that’s when the cheeks start looking misshaped.
For those who are ready to increase the volume above the cheekbones and create a more defined bone structure, you have a few great options for cheek fillers. Plus, these days, they can last a pretty long time and even increase collagen production, which is never a bad thing.
H3: Learn more about cheek fillers from Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL
At Skin Wellness Dermatology of Alabama, we offer cutting-edge skin care and dermatology services to our patients in the Greater Birmingham area, including Hoover and Homewood. At our offices in Birmingham & Chelsea, AL, our certified dermatologists are here to listen to your concerns and offer the individualized, high level of patient care you seek. We believe in making care accessible and affordable, and we will go out of our way to accommodate your visit. Give us a call today at 205-871-7332.