I have filler lumps on my cheeks when smiling, what can I do? (Photos)

Thank you for your question and for the photos.   This can happen with filler placed superficially in the upper cheek area and tear trough.   You should follow up with your injector to be sure that this is in fact filler and not a nodule of some sort.   When we smile the cheek pulls up naturally so filler placed improperly or the wrong type of filler will have no where to go but out.    You will most likely need this dissolved.  Best of luck to you.  

I suggest a formal consultation to see if this is swelling, migration, granuloma or your own anatomy.  filler can be reversed with Hyaluronidase.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Based on your pictures, it appears you had filler placed in your "tear trough" region. This is one of the most challenging areas to fill because of the thin overlying skin, and the risk of visible or palpable lumps afterwards is higher than in other areas. Generally hyaluronic acid based fillers are used in this area, like juvederm, restylane, or my filler of choice for this region - belotero. As long as a hyaluronic based filler was used, these lumps can be dissolved with hyaluronidase injection. Best to see your injector to discuss options. Emile Brown, MDJohns Hopkins & Harvard Trained Plastic Surgeon

hi Elle.  Sorry to hear about your situation.  If the filler you had injected is a Hyaluronic acid based product such as the Juvederm or Restylane family, then we would recommend starting with Hyaluronidase injections.  Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks the bonds on this type of filler and dissolved it, in many cases right away.If you have Voluma, this can be more difficult to resolve (more treatments in some cases) and if you have a non-hyaluronic acid based product like Radiesse, it cannot be dissolved.  

Thanks for the question and photos. The fillers are visible as you mention. This is common with fillers in this location, it's unfortunate. There are ways to inject the fillers in this area and minimize this problem. For now, you have to dissolve it and then try it with a different filler/technique or try fat, try an implant (they have their own set of problems) or leave it. Consult a surgeon who specializes in facial surgery to go over the options. Best wishes

This is xactly the reason why I don't recommend using hyaluronic acid-based fillers in the lower eyelid / cheek junction. The muscles of the face, when smiling was squinting push the product, which does not adhere to tissues into the area of least resistance, which is in the lower eyelid area. At this point in time you have no other choice but to use hyaluronidase to dissolve excess of product. You may need two or three treatments for optimal results. I would recommend considering autologous fat grafting in the future for better and more natural results. Good luck from New York City