In aesthetic-oriented medicine, there are two reasons for consultation concerning the cheeks : hollow cheeks and cheek wrinkles.
The volume of the cheek essentially depends on the amount of jugal fat, better known as the Bichat fat pad.
Cheek wrinkles are vertical lines running across the entire cheek that first appear when smiling and then become permanent.
Filling hollow cheeks with hyaluronic acid injections is a quick, effective and safe procedure that rejuvenates the face.
How can hollow cheeks be filled naturally ? The application of highly moisturizing creams and water retention provide a temporary solution to this issue.
Non-invasive aesthetic-oriented medicine techniques offer visible and long-lasting results. It is thus possible to avoid aesthetic surgery procedures such as cheek lipofilling.
Why plump the cheeks ? The purpose of this procedure is :
Hollow cheeks are genetic or secondary to illnesses, extreme thinness, or aging. Indeed, as the years go by, fat melts and shifts, hollowing the cheek.
Cheek wrinkles are due to skin aging. The factors responsible for their appearance are :
Some factors worsen the phenomenon : smoking, sun exposure, lack of hydration, and sleeping on one’s side.
Several aesthetic-oriented medicine techniques can be used synergistically to treat cheek wrinkles, also known as jugal crêping, and hollow cheeks. Hyaluronic acid is the reference treatment. Other methods, such as Sculptra injections, mesotherapy, PRXT33 peel and laser, are an interesting complement to the action of this filler.
These non-invasive techniques are indicated for patients who do not wish to opt for a surgical procedure, or who want to visualize the result before resorting to surgery.
Hyaluronic acid, thanks to its volumizing properties, restores volume in the cheeks by replacing fat that is constitutionally absent or has been lost.
Doctor Romano performs the injection using a cannula to minimize the risk of bruising and to distribute the filler evenly.
The product used is a moderately firm volumizing hyaluronic acid so it can integrate well into the tissues and not shift with facial movement.
The filling must be done sparingly — it is better to inject in two sessions rather than overfill the face.
A poorly performed injection deforms the face (the cheeks become squirrel-like) and may cause visible product lumps, especially during facial expressions.
Skinbooster injections are the reference treatment for improving cheek wrinkles.
This hyaluronic acid, designed exclusively for the skin, thickens the dermis.
Unlike traditional fillers that add volume, Skinboosters improve skin quality, elasticity and radiance without adding volume.
They restore skin suppleness and firmness and effectively treat wrinkles.
The injection is performed with a cannula, and the product is placed in the superficial dermis. The number of sessions required depends on the severity of jugal crêping.
Mesotherapy is an effective solution for the treatment of cheek wrinkles.
The injection of this mixture of vitamins, minerals and non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrates the superficial layer of the skin.
These injections revitalize the skin from within, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, essential components for skin firmness and elasticity.
The protocol includes an initial phase of four to six sessions at three-week intervals and a maintenance phase with one session scheduled every three months.
This treatment is not invasive and has few side effects, allowing patients to quickly resume daily activities with radiant and rejuvenated skin. Mesotherapy is therefore an ideal alternative for patients who want a gentle yet effective method to combat the signs of cheek aging.
Sculptra represents a significant advancement in the treatment of cheek wrinkles and volume loss.
Unlike traditional fillers, Sculptra stimulates collagen production.
This biostimulation progressively strengthens the dermal structure, fills wrinkles and restores subcutaneous volume in a long-lasting manner.
Sculptra results are progressive and become increasingly visible over the weeks and months following treatment, and can last up to two years.
This treatment is particularly effective for treating deep wrinkles and hollow cheeks. The result is discreet and natural : the face appears rejuvenated and revitalized.
The PRX-T33 peel is an innovation in skin rejuvenation, particularly effective for treating cheek wrinkles.
This unique treatment combines 33 % trichloroacetic acid (TCA) with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and kojic acid.
This peel stimulates cell regeneration and collagen production.
Unlike traditional chemical peels, PRX-T33 penetrates deep into the dermal layers without damaging the skin’s surface.
The skin appears visibly smoother, firmer, and more radiant after just a few sessions.
The treatment is quick, virtually painless, and requires no social downtime.
The fractional ablative laser provides visible results on cheek wrinkles; it is a highly effective tool for skin rejuvenation.
The laser works by creating micro-ablation columns in the skin, which stimulates collagen production and promotes cellular renewal.
The skin becomes smoother, firmer and more toned, with improved quality and elasticity.
Results are progressive. The number of sessions varies between two and four.
Hyaluronic acid injections restore lost volume, the cheeks become full and plump, the face is rejuvenated, and the skin is more luminous and radiant. In fact, hollowing of the middle third of the face is the most obvious change caused by aging.
The volumizing effect is immediate, and skin quality and firmness are quickly improved.
Even though results are visible fairly quickly, they continue to improve over the three weeks following treatment and last one year.
Hematomas are rare. On palpation, the product can be felt for a few weeks, but it is not visible.
Daily activities can be resumed immediately after.
Several medical approaches make it possible to treat the appearance of the cheeks, depending on whether the concern is hollowing, laxity or an alteration of skin density.
Filling hollow cheeks mainly relies on the injection of volumizing products such as hyaluronic acid or Sculptra. The price for a hyaluronic acid injection is 600 CHF per syringe. The number of syringes required generally varies between one and five, depending on the volume to be restored. Sculptra treatment is billed at 900 CHF per vial, with one vial often being sufficient. The choice of product depends on skin quality, the desired volume and the type of result sought (immediate with hyaluronic acid, progressive with Sculptra).
When the skin is thinned, lax or crepey, without marked volume loss, skin revitalization techniques are preferred.
Mesolift is offered at 300 CHF per session. Skinboosters, injected deeply to hydrate and densify the skin, are billed at 400 CHF per syringe (two syringes are injected at each session). Depending on skin condition, one to three sessions may be recommended.
The PRX-T33 peel is offered at 250 CHF per session. Several sessions are necessary for an optimal result. Fractional ablative laser, often indicated in cases of significant laxity or very damaged skin, is billed at 700 CHF per session.
The total cost of cheek treatment depends on the chosen approach, the established protocol (number of syringes, vials or sessions), as well as the possible combination of several techniques. A medical consultation makes it possible to assess needs, define a precise indication and establish a personalized estimate, according to the patient’s aesthetic priorities.
Facial gymnastics does not modify hollow cheeks. Specific exercises can slightly tone this anatomical area : cheek pumping exercises, wide and repeated smiles.
Skin hydration plays a modest role in preventing hollowing of the cheeks. Well-hydrated skin is plumper and denser; this skin thickness slightly improves cheek hollowing.
Lymphatic massage encourages the drainage of toxins and stimulates lymphatic circulation. These treatments revitalise the skin on the face but do not alter the filling in of the cheeks.
It is not possible to naturally fill hollow cheeks, except in the case of weight gain.
Maintaining proper skin hydration plumps the skin, which gives the impression of fuller cheeks.
Hollow cheeks and cheek wrinkles can be caused by several factors : natural aging, loss of subcutaneous fat, decreased production of collagen and elastin, dehydration, lifestyle habits (such as smoking or excessive sun exposure) and genetics.
Treatments to fill hollow cheeks include hyaluronic acid injections, mesotherapy and Sculptra.
Hyaluronic acid has a volumizing and hydrating effect. It is therefore used to replace fat that has melted in the cheek area and to plump the skin.
Unlike traditional fillers, which add volume immediately, Sculptra stimulates collagen production. The results are progressive and long-lasting, and can last up to two years.
Most treatments for hollow cheeks, such as hyaluronic acid or Sculptra injections, are almost painless.
The duration of the results depends on the treatment performed : hyaluronic acid injections last between 9 and 12 months, Skinbooster results last 6 months, and Sculptra results can last up to two years.
Side effects are generally mild and temporary : redness, swelling and bruising at the injection site.
Treatments are indicated for anyone wishing to improve the appearance of hollow cheeks or reduce cheek wrinkles. Patients must not present any contraindications to the treatments.
