Cheek Enhancement and Cheek Volume Replacement Melbourne

What does cheek enhancement do?

As cheeks lose volume with ageing, the face may become less proportionate and balanced. Replacing the volume in the cheek can help to regain facial proportions and rejuvenate the face. As skin sags with ageing, replacement of cheek volume can help to lift this sag.

For the younger population, there may be volume deficiencies in the cheek that are not due to ageing. For example, the maxilla (the bone that forms the upper jaw) may be underdeveloped, leading to a flatter mid-face and disproportion of the mid-face with the rest of the face. Enhancement the cheeks can help to correct this by adding volume to this area.

Replacing volume in the mid-cheek can also support the lower eyelid to help reduce the appearance of tear troughs or ‘eye bags’. This supports the ligaments around the lower eyelid that may sag with time.

Most people will also naturally have some asymmetry of the cheeks. Treating the cheek area can help balance pre-existing asymmetry to a certain degree, although absolute symmetry is unlikely.

In summary, replacing volume in the cheeks can help enhance the following:

• The shape and proportions of your cheeks in relation to the rest of the face
• The size of your cheeks in relation to the rest of the face
• The skin on your cheeks
• Provide structural support for the lower eyelid
• Improve the symmetry of your cheeks

Options for enhancing cheek volume

There are several options available for enhancing cheek volume. These include:

• Non-surgical volume loss replacement: Treatments are available to augment cheek volume and enhance contours.
• Fat transfer: Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting or fat injections, involves the removal of fat from one area of the body (typically through liposuction) and injecting it into the cheeks to add volume. Fat transfer requires a surgical procedure and may have a longer recovery time than dermal fillers. Fat transfer is not performed at Victorian Cosmetic Institute.
• Cheek implants: Cheek implants are solid materials typically made of silicone or other biocompatible substances surgically placed in the cheeks to enhance volume and contour. This procedure involves an incision and the insertion of implants to achieve the desired effect. Recovery time may be longer compared to non-surgical options.
• Thread lift: A thread lift is a procedure where dissolvable threads are inserted under the skin to lift and support sagging tissues, including the cheeks. The threads stimulate collagen production, providing a subtle lift and enhancing volume.
• Emface: Emface is a treatment that combines Radiofrequency and High-Intensity Facial Electrical Stimulation to tighten the skin and improve muscle tone, providing a lifting effect.

How cheek enhancement is performed

How your cheek enhancement is performed depends on which treatment you and your doctor have decided upon.

If treatment involves any injectable products, cannulas are used as they are generally longer than their counterpart needles; so fewer entry points are needed, reducing the risk of bruising. A local anaesthetic will be used to numb the site, and the doctor will use a technology called Accuvein to visualise and map your veins to reduce the risk of bruising and vascular occlusion.

With most treatments, it is advised to give yourself some recovery time afterwards, as there may be some swelling or bruising after getting cheek treatment.

Skincare and make-up to use after your treatment

All non-surgical face shaping treatments are complemented by healthy skin. Using products such as Vitamin A (retinol), Vitamin B (niacinamide) and sunscreen improves skin quality in the longer term.

• Vitamin A – Retinol is a molecule that improves skin texture, dryness, and fine lines.
• Niacinamide – Nicotinamide and its derivatives have been shown to increase the expression of collagen (type I, III, and V), elastin, and fibrillin (1 and 2) in the skin
• Sunscreen – Regular sunscreen use delays skin ageing in healthy, middle-aged men and women.

For immediate post-treatment skincare, a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum such as the Aspect Dr Penta Hydration serum may assist in boosting hydration and repairing inflamed skin. To learn more about hydration-boosting serums, click here.

After having cheek volume enhancement treatment that involves injections or other piercing of the skin, we generally advise you to avoid make-up for at least one day to reduce the risk of infection. For treatments that do not break or pierce the skin, makeup can usually be applied once any initial redness, heat or swelling has subsided.

How long does cheek volume enhancement treatment last?

This will depend on the type of treatment performed. The results from some cheek volume enhancement treatments are noticed immediately, with the visible results gradually declining over time. In those cases, patients will often have maintenance treatments performed every 6 to 12 months.

Other treatments build volume gradually over time and require multiple treatments over a 3 month period, with maintenance sessions then performed every 6 to 12 months.

Why should I choose the Victorian Cosmetic Institute as my provider of cheek volumn enhancement?

There are several treatments available to address volume loss as a result of ageing or genetics. The doctors at Victorian Cosmetic Institute provide a thorough initial consultation to perform a full face assessment, ascertain your particular requirements, discuss your expectations and determine whether you are suitable for cheek volume enhancement treatment.

You can contact our Customer Care team on 1300 863 824 to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors or book your consultation online.