Cheekbones for Days
Dermal fillers can restore the cheekbones of an ageing face without undergoing a surgical procedure. Fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat) naturally diminishes with age, but dermal fillers can revive a plump, youthful appearance. Furthermore, the proper distribution of filler can help to re-balance the proportions of the face and increase overall aesthetic appeal. You see your reflection countless times throughout the day, but are you content with what you see? There is no shame in wanting better for yourself; dermal fillers are a minimally-invasive way to enhance the beauty already there.
Dr Riccardo Frati, a board-certified plastic surgeon, has spent his career helping women recapture their youthful beauty. Serving the people of London, Chelmsford, and Manchester, Dr Frati is an internationally recognized authority on cutting-edge aesthetic procedures. You deserve to look and feel your best and the best surgeon to help you get there. Schedule a consultation with Dr Frati by phoning +44 20 3633 2619 or fill out an inquiry form, and we will ring back promptly.
Learn about the advances in aesthetic procedures Dr Frati offers his patients by following our blog!
Contents
About Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers do just what the name implies: they fill the area under the skin. Knowing how to contour your face with makeup properly is a skill easily grasped by watching YouTube tutorials, but some patients want the option of going au natural. Dermal fillers contour your cheekbones sans contouring kit.
The Many Applications of Fillers
The FDA has approved a variety of fillers to target different areas of the face. The beauty of the dermal fillers “family” of products is the vast array of applications for facial enhancement. Fillers can:
- Smooth deep wrinkles: brow furrows, crow’s feet, frown lines, marionette lines, lip lines, chin crease.
- Fill under the eyes/tear troughs.
- Lift and enhance cheeks.
- Plump the lips.
- Soften nasolabial folds.
- Fill acne scars.
But fillers are not a one-stop solution; they do have their limitations. For severely lax skin, some patients choose a surgical enhancement like a facelift or brow lift to achieve more dramatic results. Still, for many patients, fillers are a brilliant way to turn back the clock in a non-invasive manner.
Naturally Cheeky Fillers
Dr Frati will help you land on the filler that best suits your desired results. For cheek augmentation, Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers offer incredible contour. Hyaluronan is a naturally-occurring linear bond found in skin, the presence of which diminishes with age. (1) One of the essential pieces of knowledge contributing to current non-invasive aesthetic procedures is that the different components of the face age at different rates. (2) This knowledge requires a specialist who understands how to target the keystones of your facial structure, resulting in natural-looking age reversal. The top-of-the-line cheek augmentation fillers offered by Dr Frati include Juvéderm Voluma XC and Restylane Lyft.
The MD Codes
Do you ever wonder how surgeons can achieve such stunning results using dermal filler? There is an algorithmic approach to the proper distribution, amount, and placement of dermal fillers called the MD Codes. Developed by Maurício de Maio, MD Codes (medical codes) are a combination of specifics for expressing facial volume using dermal fillers.
Information for consideration includes:
- Depth of injection.
- Delivery method (needle or cannula).
- Delivery technique.
- Product volume recommended for the best results.
The specific combination chosen lessens negative features (sagging, tired, sad) and increases positive, resulting in the desired aesthetic outcome. (3) The flowchart of patient specifics creates a personalized injectable experience for each individual.
Ideal Candidates for Dermal Fillers
Patients dissatisfied with their face’s drawn or “sunken” appearance will delight in the results of dermal fillers for cheek augmentation. Candidates should be in good health, non-smokers, and committed to maintaining their results through proper hydration and reduced sun exposure. Additionally, candidates must have realistic expectations about what dermal fillers can do for the face’s overall appearance.
Personal Consultation
Dr Frati will be pleased to discuss your aesthetic needs and concerns with you. With a deep understanding and respect for aesthetic possibilities, you will find a wealth of options to choose from. Your consultation is a chance for you to express your desires and wishes for the results you seek. Before treatment, Dr Frati will complete an evaluation of your health and assess your medical history.
Please disclose:
- Any allergies and medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs, supplements, and vitamins.
- Any past minimally-invasive treatments for the soft tissue of the face as well as any prior facial surgery.
Dr Frati will carefully consider the makeup of your facial structure. He will take measurements and photos to suggest a course of treatment and expected outcomes. To schedule your consultation with Dr Frat in London, Chelmsford, or Manchester, ring +44 20 3633 2619, or fill out our inquiry form.
Preparation for Dermal Fillers
Before treatment, Dr Frati will cleanse the area with an antibacterial agent to ensure proper client safety. Then, a topical anaesthetic can be applied, though many fillers contain lidocaine to minimize discomfort. Patients should continue engaging in positive health practices leading to treatment, including staying hydrated and applying sunscreen daily.
Procedure
The process of cheek augmentation with dermal fillers takes around 15-minutes to complete unless the patient requests additional treatments. Once Dr Frati has injected, massaged, and evaluated the results, he will cleanse the face and complete the procedure. Patients experiencing discomfort can apply a cold compress, which will help with swelling and slightly numb the area. While the patient may remain sensitive for a few days after treatment, the pain will not be intense enough to require medication.
Recovery
As with procedure results, the recovery time varies with each patient. It is safe to resume most activities, but patients should wait 24-48 hours to engage in intense physical activity to minimize swelling and bruising. Immediately following your procedure, you may experience:
- Swelling or bruising
- Temporary numbness
- Redness
- Resistance at the injection site (hardened areas)
Dr Frati suggests dermal massage and ice to improve these occurrences. Please inform Dr Frati if you experience an adverse reaction.
Results
The visual reaction to dermal fillers is immediate, an added benefit of this procedure. Patients will experience volumized, contoured cheeks and an overall cohesion to the facial structure. Results will last for months or even years depending on various factors, including the filler used and patient specifics. (4) Patients are encouraged to engage in overall wellness, focused on skin hydration and protection to ensure results are maintained.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
After experiencing the pleasing results of dermal filler, patients may choose to focus on other areas of the face they feel needs attention. Dr Frati offers a wide range of skincare treatments and procedures to address skin and facial contour concerns.
Microdermabrasion
Address fine lines, wrinkles, and an overall underwhelming dermal appearance with a resurfacing procedure like microdermabrasion. By employing crystals, the microdermabrasion machine whisks away dead skin cells to reveal the dewy skin underneath just waiting for its moment in the sun – with sunscreen applied, naturally! The procedure also promotes an increase in collagen production.
Hydrafacial
Along the resurfacing lines, Hydrafacial has entered the chat. This innovative procedure uses a swirling “vortex” method to resurface and deliver serum deep into the skin. The results are a refreshed, hydrated, and glowy sheen. Hydrafacials are effective on all skin types. Please alert Dr Frati and his staff if you are pregnant or taking diabetes medication.
What is the Cost of Dermal Filler in London and Birmingham?
A personalized consultation with Dr Frati will illuminate the dermal filler cost specific to your desired results. Each patient is different, as is the amount of filler needed and the addition of complementary procedures.
FAQ
What if I want more dramatic results?
If you wish to achieve more dramatic results, or the look of your filler fades over time, Dr Frati can use the same procedure to re-plump the area. A new assessment will be used to determine if the structure of your face has changed due to the passage of time. Additionally, patients may wish to speak with Dr Frati about a more invasive, dramatic procedure such as a facelift.
What happens to HA filler over time?
Because Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are made using naturally occurring material, the temporary fillers are safely absorbed into the body over time.
References
- Liang CP, Thong HY. A Guide to Cheek Augmentation: Single-Point Deep Injection of Hyaluronic Acid Filler at Midface in Close Proximity to Medial Suborbicularis Oculi Fat (SOOF) Area. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications. 2016;06(01):1-8. doi:10.4236/jcdsa.2016.61001
- Donofrio LM. Fat Distribution: a Morphologic Study of the Aging Face. Dermatologic Surgery. 2000;26(12):1107-1112. doi:10.1046/j.1524-4725.2000.00270.x
- de Maio, M. MD Codes™: A Methodological Approach to Facial Aesthetic Treatment with Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Fillers. Aesth Plast Surg 45, 690–709 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-020-01762-7
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dermal Fillers Results. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed June 28, 2022. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/results