What is the Liquid-Lift?
Studies show that the deep fat pads of the face in particular lose volume with age 4. As a result, the skin and superficial tissue sag. In certain places, the skin is anchored to facial muscles or the bone and can therefore hardly sag. As the surrounding tissue slackens with age, furrows tend to form at the attachment points.
Mid-cheek creases occur at a connective tissue anchorage between the skin and cheekbone (“zygomatic cutaneous ligament”). Dark circles form at the attachment point of a ligament between the skin and the orbital rim (“orbitomalar ligament”, “orbicularis retaining ligament”, “arcus marginalis”).
At the nasolabial fold, the skin is connected to several muscles of the mouth. Hyaluronic acid treatment replaces the lost volume of sunken cheeks. Restoring volume gives the cheeks more beautiful contours. Precise injections above or below the facial muscles can improve the transmission of muscle strength.
The injection restores harmonious, youthful contours and improves the natural expressiveness of the face. The volume build-up creates a certain tightening effect by softening the wrinkles between the nostrils and the corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds). The injection of a relatively small amount of hyaluronic acid already leads to a lifting effect with correction of dark circles under the eyes and reduction of the nasolabial fold and sagging cheeks. The results are immediately visible. Nevertheless, filler treatments cannot be compared with a facelift.
Cheek augmentation with hyaluronic acid can significantly rejuvenate the face and delay the need for surgery. A facelift to rejuvenate the lower half of the face is much more effective for significantly sagging skin. For a natural and satisfying liquid lift, the treatment must be appropriate and holistic. Proportionality to other areas of the face such as the temples, forehead or cheek contours should be maintained with hyaluronic acid injections.
The special features of the cheek structure in men
The contour and fullness of the cheeks show particular, characteristic differences in men and women. In men, the cheeks, especially the frontal process and the temporal bone process of the cheekbone, are stronger 5. A prominent chin and jawline, pronounced cheekbones and narrow cheeks develop under the influence of male hormones between the ages of 12 and 15 6. In men, the cheeks are less prominent in the middle area than in women 7. Male facial features are often associated with dominance and social competence 8. In fact, there is evidence that people with very masculine facial features have more muscle strength 9. It is therefore not surprising that women find men with pronounced cheekbones more attractive 10.
The cheek is a common problem area in men. Due to congenital factors, the zygomatic arch can lack contours in relation to the jaw-chin line or the eyebrows, which means that men also have to contend with the problem of sunken cheeks. In men, the facial bones deteriorate between the ages of forty-five and sixty-five. Although a beard can conceal the chin and jawline, the outline of the cheeks tends to be emphasized by a beard hairstyle. Cheek injections can be used to emphasize masculine facial features or to build up youthful cheeks. Overcorrection, especially injecting too much volume in the midsection, leads to full cheeks and makes a face appear feminine. It is therefore advisable to consult an experienced doctor to sharpen the cheek contours precisely.
How long does cheek augmentation with hyaluronic acid last?
The effect of cheek injections is immediate and therefore visible very quickly. The effect lasts for over a year. After 6 months, 90 percent of patients are satisfied with the results of cheek injections 11. Studies show that over 70 percent of patients are still satisfied with the result after one year 12.
According to our many years of experience, less hyaluronic acid is required for a further treatment in the frame (follow-up injection) than for the initial treatment, even after 18 months. Of course, this depends on your personal metabolism. For long-lasting results, we recommend microfat injections. The autologous fat is considered a permanent filler. Since the so-called lipofilling method uses the body’s own substance, which is suctioned from the abdomen, for example, an allergic reaction is ruled out.
Risks associated with cheek injections
No treatment is completely without risks. However, the risks of cheek augmentation with hyaluronic acid are generally low and the slight possible side effects are only temporary. Some swelling and minimal reddening of the skin may also occur when using very fine needles. Gentle cooling helps to prevent swelling from occurring in the first place or helps it to subside again after a short time, within a few hours to be precise. Allergic reactions and inflammation are among the very unlikely risks. Unfortunately, it can never be completely ruled out that a small vessel will be damaged during the injection.
In rare cases, hyaluronic acid can enter the bloodstream. Even more rarely, the hyaluronic acid interrupts the blood flow and jeopardizes the blood circulation of the skin, causing small bruises to form. The experienced doctors at CenterPlast are of course prepared for rare occurrences. Such complications can be controlled by recognizing them early and taking the necessary measures immediately 13.
The most common undesirable effect of hyaluronic acid cheek injections is unsatisfactory results, especially if the user does not have the necessary experience and qualifications. Injections by unqualified practitioners without a license to practice medicine and without precise knowledge of anatomy are dangerous.
