As people age, facial features are often hit with unwelcome changes. Cheeks that were once well-defined lose their fullness. New lines seem to appear every day, and skin sags in places that once were firm. Younger patients may also deal with insecurities. Maybe they never had the cheek appearance they desired and are looking for a way to change that. In each case, cheek augmentation without surgery can help correct imperfections that make patients feel self-conscious.
For patients who prefer not to undergo surgery but desire an enhanced appearance, a non-surgical cheek lift or non-surgical cheek augmentation can add volume to cheeks, enhance the appearance of cheekbones, fill acne scars, and smooth out wrinkles.
Non-surgical cheek augmentation lasts for about six months to two years, giving patients months of confidence. Cheek augmentation surgery is a more permanent option, but some people may not want to go under the knife. A non-surgical cheek lift offers a safe, effective treatment for patients who want to bolster the appearance of the cheeks.
Dr. Babak Azizzadeh of the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles can teach patients about surgical and non-surgical cheek lift treatments. He can help a patient determine if cheek lift surgery or cheek augmentation without surgery is the best option to enhance cheek volume and facial fullness.
Read on for a closer look at cheek augmentation without surgery.
What Is a Non-Surgical Cheek Lift?
A non-surgical cheek lift uses a type of dermal filler to achieve the desired results. Wrinkles appear as people age because subcutaneous fat diminishes with time. This means there is less of a barrier between the muscles and the face, resulting in deeper, more defined wrinkles.
In a non-surgical cheek lift, Juvederm or other facial fillers are injected into the face to smooth out the appearance of wrinkles. The FDA has approved several injectable dermal fillers. Some, like Juvederm, are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that’s found in the skin. Juvederm is often used to help smooth the cheek space underneath the eyes, resulting in a more energized look. Fillers made with hyaluronic acid also help soften nasolabial folds, or the lines leading from the nostrils to the lips on either side of the nose (smile lines).
Other dermal fillers are made from calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), a substance naturally found in the bones. A thick, long-lasting filler, CaHA contains calcium particles, and it helps the body build more collagen. CaHA smooths the appearance of acne scars and reduces the intensity of smile lines (nasolabial folds).
Poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic material, has been used for years in the medical field and can help promote the repairing of collagen in the skin. Results from Poly-L-lactic acid take longer to become apparent because the filler gel goes away in the days after treatment. But first, it begins to set in motion the rebuilding of natural collagen in your skin, which gives you fuller-looking cheeks within four to six weeks. This treatment can last for up to two years.
Finally, synthetic, safe polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) fillers may be used. PMMA uses beads (microspheres) to prop up the skin from the inside, giving it a more full and defined look. It can also help fill acne scars and soften nasolabial folds.
The goal of cheek augmentation without surgery is to temporarily restore lost cheek volume and enhance facial appearance. It also helps improve facial symmetry and ensures that the cheeks look proportional to the nose, eyes, and other facial features.
There are many reasons why patients choose non-surgical cheek augmentation, such as:
- Seamless Treatment: A non-surgical cheek lift can usually be performed in less than one hour.
- Quick Results: The results of a non-surgical cheek augmentation typically become visible within 24 hours of treatment.
- Limited Risk: There is no risk of anesthesia issues or other complications commonly associated with a cheek augmentation surgery.
- Short Recovery: Patients who receive dermal fillers typically recover within a day, meaning no time off work is needed.
During a patient consultation, Dr. Azizzadeh will explain all aspects of different non-surgical cheek lift treatments. He also discusses the steps involved in a non-surgical cheek augmentation procedure and helps the patient determine which type of filler would be best for their unique situation. He also takes the patient’s medical history, noting any allergies, medications currently being taken, or skin conditions that could influence treatment.
After determining a patient’s eligibility for treatment, Dr. Azizzadeh crafts a custom treatment plan.
A non-surgical cheek augmentation treatment plan includes a description of which type of facial filler should be used and the amount of filler that should be injected into the cheeks. Dr. Azizzadeh will explain the plan to his patient and respond to their concerns and questions before the treatment is performed.
What to Expect During a Non-Surgical Cheek Augmentation
On the date of treatment, Dr. Azizzadeh will clean the area of your face where the filler will be injected. He may also apply a topical anesthetic to help provide a comfortable injection experience. In addition, your filler may contain lidocaine, an anesthetic that helps the filling process go smoothly and without too much pain.
Next, Dr. Azizzadeh will carefully inject a facial filler just beneath the skin of the patient’s cheeks. The results of the non-surgical cheek lift may be noticeable directly afterward, depending on the type of filler used. In other instances, results will become more apparent over the weeks following treatment.
Although there may be minimal bruising and swelling at the site, the patient can resume all normal activities after a non-surgical cheek lift. While facial implant surgery may involve several weeks of recovery, non-surgical cheek augmentation allows busy patients to resume their lives just hours after treatment.
Following a non-surgical cheek enhancement treatment, Dr. Azizzadeh will track his patient’s results. If a patient fails to achieve the full results of treatment, Dr. Azizzadeh can determine if additional or alternative treatments are necessary.
How Long Do the Results of a Non-Surgical Cheek Lift Last?
The results of a non-surgical cheek augmentation vary based on the type of facial filler used, the amount of filler used, and other factors. A dermal filler frequently delivers results that last six months to two years.
Unlike with surgical cheek augmentations, non-surgical cheek augmentation results won’t last forever, but many patients opt to come in once or twice a year, or as needed, for additional treatment. This allows patients to avoid the recovery time that comes with surgery and still continue to feel confident in their appearance.
If patients are looking for an eye or brow lift, it should be noted that dermal fillers may not be the right treatment. Dr. Azizzadeh can consult with patients who desire permanent rejuvenation of the face to determine which type of facial plastic surgery would be best.
Non-Surgical Cheek Augmentation Cost
The cost of non-surgical cheek augmentation depends on several factors, all of which Dr. Azizzadeh will discuss with a patient during an initial consultation. Additionally, it is important to note that a patient will be billed for each non-surgical cheek lift treatment; comparatively, a surgical cheek augmentation involves a one-time fee.
Dr. Azizzadeh can explain the costs of non-surgical and surgical cheek lift augmentation options during a patient consultation. He also offers financing options for facial rejuvenation treatments.
Choose Dr. Azizzadeh for the Best Non-Surgical Cheek Lift
A non-surgical cheek lift can be beneficial for patients who are dealing with sunken cheeks or other visible signs of aging in the face. It can also instill confidence in patients who have never felt satisfied with the appearance of their face. When performed by Dr. Azizzadeh, a non-surgical cheek enhancement procedure enables a patient to immediately rejuvenate their facial appearance.
Despite not being a surgical procedure, it is best if cheek augmentation without surgery is performed by a double board certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Azizzadeh. Dr. Azizzadeh is highly sought after by the media for his expertise in facial plastic surgery, including The Doctors Show, Los Angeles Time, New York Times, People, Elle, and ABC 7, and he has also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.