HOLLOW CHEEKS AUGMENTATION WITH HYALURONIC ACID

What are cheek wrinkles ?

In aesthetic medicine, there are two common concerns related to the cheeks : hollow cheeks and cheek wrinkles. Cheek volume mainly depends on the amount of buccal fat, better known as the Bichat fat pad. Cheek wrinkles are vertical lines running across the cheek that first appear when smiling and then become permanent.

Contents

Key Points

Hollow cheeks : hyaluronic acid in Geneva 

Filling hollow cheeks with hyaluronic acid injections is a quick, effective, and safe procedure that rejuvenates the face.

How to fill hollow cheeks naturally ? The application of highly moisturizing creams and water retention can temporarily improve the issue. Non-invasive aesthetic medicine techniques provide visible and long-lasting results, allowing patients to avoid cosmetic surgery procedures such as cheek lipofilling.

Why plump up the cheeks ? The aim of this procedure is : 

  • Skin tightening with improvement of cheek fine lines and a lifting effect on the mid and lower third of the face.
  • Restoration of facial volume — whether genetically absent or lost due to medical conditions or significant weight loss.
  • To give Skin Radiance to the midface.
photo causes hollow cheeks

Why are my cheeks hollow ?

Hollow cheeks may be genetic or secondary to illness, extreme thinness, or aging. As time goes by, fat melts and shifts, creating a hollow appearance in the cheeks.

Cheek wrinkles are caused by skin aging. The factors responsible for their appearance are :

  • Loss of part of the cheek fat.
  • Reduction in skin thickness.
  • Skin laxity.
  • Dehydration of the skin.

Some factors worsen the phenomenon : smoking, sun exposure, lack of hydration, and sleeping on one’s side.

How to eliminate cheek wrinkles ?

Several aesthetic medicine techniques can be used synergistically to treat cheek wrinkles and hollow cheeks. Hyaluronic acid is the foundation of the treatment. Other methods such as Sculptra injections, mesotherapy, PRXT33 peel, and laser can complement the action of this filler.

These non-invasive techniques are ideal for patients who do not wish to undergo surgery or who want to preview the result before considering a surgical option.

photo filling of hollow cheeks with hyaluronic acid

Filling hollow cheeks with hyaluronic acid

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.

photo of cheek wrinkle treatment with skinbooster

How to eliminate wrinkles on the cheeks ? Skinboosters

Skinbooster injections are the reference treatment for improving cheek wrinkles.
This hyaluronic acid is specifically designed for the skin and thickens the dermis. Unlike traditional fillers that add volume, Skinboosters improve skin texture, elasticity, and glow 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 extent of the cheek wrinkles.

photo hydration cheeks with mesotherapy

How to tighten the skin on the cheeks ? Mesotherapy for cheek wrinkling

Mesotherapy is an effective solution for treating cheek wrinkles.

Injecting a blend of vitamins, minerals, and non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid hydrates the superficial skin layer.
These micro-injections revitalize the skin from within by stimulating collagen and elastin production — two essential components for skin firmness and elasticity.

The protocol includes an initial phase of four to six sessions spaced three weeks apart, followed by a maintenance phase with one session every three months.

This treatment is non-invasive and has few side effects, allowing patients to quickly return to their daily activities with glowing, rejuvenated skin. Mesotherapy is therefore an ideal alternative for patients seeking a gentle yet effective method to combat signs of aging in the cheeks.

photo plumping hollow cheeks by Sculptra

How to plump cheeks ? Sculptra

Sculptra represents a significant advancement in the treatment of wrinkles and volume loss in the cheeks.
Unlike traditional fillers, Sculptra stimulates collagen production. This biostimulation gradually strengthens the dermal structure, filling wrinkles and restoring subcutaneous volume in a long-lasting way.
The results of Sculptra are progressive, becoming more and more visible over the weeks and months following treatment, and can last up to two years.
This treatment is particularly effective for deep wrinkles and hollow cheeks. The result is subtle and natural : the face looks rejuvenated and revitalized.

photo peel treatment for wrinkled cheeks

How to smooth the cheeks ? The PRX-T33 peel

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.

photo laser for cheek wrinkles

How to tight the skin on the cheeks? Fractional laser

fractional ablative laser delivers visible results on cheek wrinkles. It is a powerful tool for skin rejuvenation.
The laser works by creating microthermal channels in the skin, stimulating collagen production and encouraging cell renewal.
The skin becomes smoother, firmer, and more toned, with improved texture and elasticity.
The results are progressive. The number of sessions varies between two and four.

Before/after results of hyaluronic acid cheek filler

Hyaluronic acid injections restore lost volume. The cheeks become full and plump, the face looks rejuvenated, and the skin is more luminous and radiant.
In fact, hollowing of the midface is the most noticeable change caused by aging.
The volumizing effect is immediate, and skin texture and firmness improve rapidly.

Even though the results appear fairly quickly, they continue to improve over the following three weeks and last for one year.
Bruising is rare. Upon palpation, the product can be felt for a few weeks, but it is not visible.
Normal activities can be resumed immediately after the treatment.

Prices

Type of consultation Generally practiced rates
Hyaluronic acid for
600 CHF per syringe
Mesotherapy
250 CHF per session
Sculptra
900 CHF per vial
Skinbooster
400 CHF per syringe
What facial exercises can help plump up sunken cheeks?

Facial gymnastics do not alter sunken cheeks. Specific exercises can slightly tone this anatomical area.

  • Cheek pumping exercises.
  • Wide, repeated smiles.

Skin hydration plays a modest role in preventing cheek hollowing. Well-hydrated skin is plumper and denser, and 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 fill hollow cheeks naturally, except in the case of weight gain.
Maintaining the right level of skin hydration plumps the skin, giving the impression of fuller cheeks.

Hollow cheeks and cheek wrinkles can be caused by a number of factors: natural ageing, loss of subcutaneous fat, reduced 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 volumising and moisturising effect. It is therefore used to replace fat that has melted from the cheeks and to plump up the skin.

Unlike traditional fillers, which add volume immediately, Sculptra stimulates collagen production. The results are progressive and long-lasting, lasting up to two years.

Most treatments for sunken cheeks, such as hyaluronic acid or Sculptra injections, are virtually painless.

How long the results last depends on the treatment carried out. Hyaluronic acid injections last between 9 and 12 months, Skinboosters 6 months and Sculptra 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 sunken cheeks or reduce cheek wrinkles. Patients must have no contraindications to treatment.

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