Cheek Fillers

Put simply, it is the use of dermal fillers to alter and enhance the contours of the face in order to achieve the desired appearance. This can be done using our range of Teoxane filler treatments and is tailored to the individual’s facial anatomy.

Cheek fillers can bring the face into balance by making the cheekbones more prominent.

This can give you instant, razor-sharp definition and a natural-looking, youthful appearance. The treatment also smooths the nose-to-mouth lines, effectively lifting the entire face.

Aesthetic and anatomical assessment of the face is essential before I carry out any injections. Based on this I select products that have the most suitable rheological charateristics for the targeted anatomical compartment and the phenotype of the patient. These can vary depending on the quality and thickness of the skin.

I start by injecting into the deep fat layer with a very cohesive gel which has a strong G’, capable of PROJECTING. This may then be augmented by injecting into the superfi cial compartments with a product that is able to adapt to the dynamic of facial expression.

As with building a house, I like to lay the foundations first  for a stable base in the deep fat layer.

Therefore I use in combination Teosyal® Ultra Deep and Teosyal RHA® 4 from Teoxane Laboratories, available in 1.2 ml syringes, which act differently from any other product. I will either use Teosyal® Ultra Deep, with a needle  in a patient  with thick subcu-taneous fat or thick skin which provides very good projection with a single bolus at a supraperiosteal level.

In contrast other products with a lower G’ would require me to inject a higher quantity of product for a similar result. However in an individual with thinner skin I will instead use Teosyal RHA® 4 at a supraperiosteal level, with a  cannula.

Due to its rheological properties Teosyal RHA® 4is also extremely powerful at using in the superfi cial fat layers as it has suffi cient ‘stretch’ to adapt to facial dynamic. Teosyal RHA® 4 is the only volumizer on the market capable of following the movements of the face without losing its viscoe-lastic properties and giving a truly natural result.

The results are immediate and the effects are visible between 9 and 18 months. Thereafter, it will be necessary to maintain the treatment with annual follow-up sessions.

It is important to follow instructions about dermal filler aftercare.

Immediately after your treatment you may notice a few of the following things

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Red needle puncture marks
• Asymmetry
• Tenderness
• Itching in the area

These issues above are common with dermal filler aftercare, and should resolve over the next few days to weeks. Your final result will be seen at about 4 weeks after treatment, and you can be reviewed to see if further treatments are required to achieve the planned results.

Immediately after the injections you face will be cleaned. You should not touch your face for 6 hours. After this you may clean your skin with water and a gentle cleanser.

Things to avoid:

• Do not expose the area to intense heat (eg solarium or sauna)
• Avoid pressure on the treated areas for the first few nights (i.e. sleep on back of possible)
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
• Do not use AHA, Retinols/Vitamin C therapy or oil based make-up for 24 hours
• Avoid facials, facial waxing, Glycolic or AHA peels, IPL or energy based treatments and microdermabrasion for two weeks after treatment. Please check with your physician before undergoing other facial treatments within this time

Pain relief

Pain is usually mild and sometimes moderate after filler injections. There are areas which can be quite painful like the chin and the lips. Pain relief such as paracetamol may be taken as directed by your Physician

Swelling relief

Apply a cool compress for 10 minutes every hour on the day of treatment (do not apply ice directly on your skin). A cool compress applied regularly for the first 24 hours after injections may help to reduce the amount of swelling. Some patients use arnica before and after treatment to reduce the swelling.

Bruising relief

Patients on aspirin, fish oil or other drugs associated with increased bruising may find their risk increased. For the treatment of bruising, there are over the counter treatments available such as arnica

Some patients take Bromelaine as a preventative for bruising.

Massage

Massage of the filler areas are not  advised by us.  Gentle massage may be used once the pain and tenderness has resolved and at your review

Cold sores and dermal filler

There may be a small chance that a treatment may induce an outbreak of cold sores in patients with a previous history.

Some patients take preventative antivirals to help reduce the risk of cold sores. If you get cold sores after a treatment please inform us. We can prescribe aciclivor for a small cost of £10 on the day of treatment which must be taken for 5 days.

Aesthetic review

Reviewing the results of dermal filler should be performed at 4 weeks (except for cosmetic emergencies like infection or vascular occlusions, which should be reviewed immediately)