It takes one to two weeks for cheek fillers to settle. During this time, swelling decreases, and the body adjusts to the filler material, revealing the final, natural-looking results.
With most types of cheek filler, you'll usually see some results immediately after the procedure. But it often takes several days and sometimes several months to see full results. PLLA results can take up to two to three weeks.
Dermal fillers are instant, so you can see a visible result immediately after injection. It takes up to 4 weeks for the filler to fully integrate into the tissue and some fillers are more cohesive than others.
Its normal for cheek filler to take up to 2 weeks to fully settle. During this time, any initial swelling or bruising should resolve, leaving you with a more natural and refreshed appearance.
Immediate Side Effects of Cheek Fillers
Swelling: Swelling is a typical reaction to the fillers and can make the treatment area look overfilled or unusually puffy. This usually peaks within the first 48 hours and should diminish gradually over the next one to two weeks.
On average, full results from dermal fillers take a couple of weeks. However, you may see them more quickly as your skin may metabolize the injection faster. Most people experience the full effects of their dermal filler injections after two weeks.
One common concern is that the cheeks may look uneven after the procedure. For first-time dermal filler patients, it may be a surprise to notice distortion or unevenness on your cheeks but this shouldn't be a cause for concern or panic. Uneven cheeks are often a result of the initial swelling from the injections.
Unless you are a professional and have a trained eye, it is difficult to tell if someone had a cosmetic enhancement with cheek fillers. The difference might be spotted with a before and after picture. If done by an experienced professional, you will not notice a thing.
It's best to avoid high-intensity exercise and sports for at least 48 hours. Activities like heavy weight lifting, running, and plyometrics can significantly increase blood pressure and circulation to the face, worsening swelling.
Fillers can enhance your features, plump lips, or add volume to the jawline, chin, and cheeks. You may wonder “What is the right age to get fillers?” The answer is that dermal filler injections can begin as early as your twenties and continue throughout your lifetime.
Fillers remain moldable for 1-2 weeks, and pressure can deform your filler. The most common culprits? The face cradle on massage tables, tight ski goggles and swim goggles. Normal activities like washing your face or putting on make-up do not have enough force to mold your filler.
Additionally, some dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers, stimulate collagen and elastin production, so you may continue to see an improvement in your results over time.
How Long After Cheek Fillers Can You Sleep on Your Side? You can use a thick pillow (or two) to keep your head elevated. In general, facial fillers often take seven to 10 days to settle. Most cosmetic doctors advise extreme caution for the first 48 hours after the filler treatment.
Initially, the swelling may cause a feeling of tightness in your smile, but it should subside after a week or two. If your injections have not been placed correctly, however, or if you have received too much formula, it could affect your ability to smile comfortably.
“Pillow face” occurs when too much filler is injected into areas like the cheeks, nasolabial folds (the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth), lips, and under-eye area. This repeated overfilling can result in a bloated, round appearance that looks far from natural.
After your first dermal filler appointment, you want to avoid any hot and humid place. For example, don't rush to the sauna or a hot tub right after your treatment. The high heat makes swelling in your face a lot worse.
The filler is injected into the folds, not the muscles that control your facial expressions, so it should not affect your ability to smile. In fact, many people choose to get nasolabial fold fillers specifically to enhance their smile.
Avoiding Physical Disturbance to Facial Fillers
Applying pressure or disturbing the treated area can potentially displace the filler, leading to suboptimal results. It's particularly important to avoid pressure on the treated area for the first 48 hours after treatment.
It's completely normal for cheek fillers to feel firm, swollen, and slightly lumpy for the first few weeks after injections as your skin heals. But if the hardness persists past 4 weeks or is accompanied by pain, redness, or visible bumps, contact your doctor to ensure your fillers are healing properly.
Fillers, under the administration of an experienced doctor, create a pleasant, natural plump for your cheeks. That's why it's always important to do research and work with a professional who has a deep knowledge of facial anatomy and primary cheek filler injection sites.
While cheek fillers add facial volume and fullness, they won't make you look chubbier or rounder as long as they're placed in the right treatment area.
While 1ml of cheek filler may provide some subtle improvement, it's generally considered a relatively small amount for this area. The cheeks are a larger facial feature compared to areas like the lips or tear troughs, so they typically require more filler to achieve a noticeable change.
“Find the lower border of the zygoma, then find the upper border,” explains Dr Jess. “Draw horizontal lines on the cheek to demarcate these landmarks.” “The next thing to do is draw on your standard 3 points. These should be 5-10mm apart and it's important that they don't impinge on the orbital rim,” she warns.