Cheek Fillers: What You Need to Know

Pros 

• Cheek fillers can restore lost facial volume, create more fullness, or sculpt and define the cheekbones.
• If you want cheek augmentation but aren’t yet ready to commit to implants, cheek fillers offer a less expensive, temporary alternative that allows you to "try on" the look for a few years.
• You’ll see an improvement in contour or fullness immediately after your treatment.
• When the treatment is performed by an experienced injector, side effects and risks are minimal (compared to cheek implant surgery).
• A suboptimal result from hyaluronic acid fillers can be reversed with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down HA.

Cons

• Cheek filler results aren’t permanent. The HA most commonly used for the treatment are naturally metabolized within one to two years (some patients metabolize fillers more quickly than others).
• This is a very technique-sensitive cosmetic procedure, and it does come with risks; more on that below.
• Keeping up your results over time can get pricey.

Related: Cheek Implants Are Trending. Here’s When to Get Them Instead of Filler.

• Average Cost:
• $1,575

• Range:
• $745 - $3,000

Your cheek filler cost will depend on the credentials of your injector, their practice location, the type of filler they use, and how many syringes they use to achieve your desired result.

Asking for a total cost estimate during your consultation can help you avoid a surprise when you get your bill.

Most providers offer payment plans or accept third-party financing options, such as CareCredit.

The cheek filler photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Cheek fillers can do several things. Depending on the patient’s aesthetic goals, they can:

• Temporarily add plumpness to sagging cheeks, reversing the volume loss that usually comes with aging or prolonged illness.
• Enhance your natural cheekbone structure.
• Create a smoother, younger-looking foundation for the lower eyelids. “Improving cheek contours can help rejuvenate the lower eyelids, especially the ‘tear trough’ area,” Dr. Berkowitz explains. 
• Make the entire face look more balanced, especially for patients who have a naturally wide mouth or jaw.
• Smooth nasolabial folds (the smile lines that extend from the nose to the mouth), as well as marionette lines.

Fillers also stimulate natural collagen production. Once injected, they can rev up your fibroblasts, your body’s collagen-making cells, meaning that less filler may be needed to achieve similar results in the future. 

While no nonsurgical treatment can deliver the same transformation as a facelift, many providers say cheek fillers can provide a subtle lift. Dr. Berkowitz says that this lifting effect can improve jowling for many patients. 

Related: Can Cheek Fillers Really Lift the Face? Experts Weigh In on What to Expect

Here’s what to expect during your cheek filler appointment:

• You’ll start with a consultation with your injector, to discuss your goals and treatment plan. 
• They will recommend the best filler formula for you, as well as the best placement to help you achieve your desired look. 
• They should also note how many syringes they plan to use and how that will impact your cost.
• Your provider may apply numbing cream about 30 minutes before your injections, to help reduce sensation. At many practices, you’ll also be offered Pro-Nox, to help keep you comfortable.
• As a final bit of prep, your skin in the treatment area will be thoroughly cleansed. 
• The treatment itself is quick: they will inject the filler directly over the cheekbones or into the hollows of your cheeks, taking care to create a symmetrical result. 
• As they inject, they’ll lightly massage the filler to help smooth it out.
• Once you’re done, your provider may give you a small ice pack to help soothe any lingering discomfort or swelling. 

RealSelf Tip: For more complete facial rejuvenation, your provider may recommend complementary treatments, like Botox, a PDO thread lift, or chin filler. You may even find that they offer a small discount on any additional treatments performed at the same time.

Getting cheek fillers can be uncomfortable, but it isn’t painful for most people, especially compared to injections in more sensitive areas like the lips.

Many providers apply a topical numbing cream to the injection sites about 30 minutes prior to treatment, which can dramatically reduce the sensation of the injection. “Pro-Nox (nitrous oxide) is utilized in many offices to take the edge off,” notes Dr. Berkowitz. 

Most filler formulas—including the entire line of Juvéderm, Restylane, and RHA Collection fillers—also contain the pain-relieving local anesthetic lidocaine. That built-in anesthetic, paired with the numbing cream, means you’ll likely just feel the pressure of the filler as it’s injected under your skin. 

Afterwards, you may be given a small, light ice pack to help reduce discomfort and minimize swelling.

Most people need little to no recovery time after this treatment, but you may choose to take some social downtime. Some people schedule their appointment on a Friday afternoon, in case they experience bruising or noticeable swelling before having to head back to work the following week.

If you’re alarmed by your appearance immediately after your cheek filler treatment, be patient: the worst of the swelling should resolve within 48 hours, as the cheek filler begins to settle into your natural tissue. Any remaining swelling should resolve within two weeks.

To help reduce your likelihood of bruising and swelling:

• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking any blood thinners or ibuprofen in the days leading up to your cheek filler injection and sleep elevated for the few evenings after your treatment.
• Talk to your primary healthcare provider about your regular prescriptions and supplements; certain medications can increase your odds of bruising.
• Skip strenuous exercise for the first 48 hours post-treatment, to avoid additional swelling and prevent the filler from possibly migrating.
• Avoid sleeping on your face for the first few days post-treatment. 

Related: Why You Get Swelling After Lip & Cheek Fillers—and How to Reduce It

It takes up to two weeks for cheek fillers to fully settle and swelling to resolve, so you can see your cheeks’ new contour and volume.

So while you'll see an enhancement in your cheek area immediately post-treatment, don’t worry if your initial results aren’t what you expected: they should improve in the coming days and weeks.

How long your cheek fillers last will depend on which formula is used and how your body metabolizes it.

• HA-based fillers last one to two years.
• Radiesse results last up to one year.
• Sculptra results last two to three years. 
• Bellafill can last five years or more.
• Fat grafting results can last for decades.