Over the last few years, I've noticed the wrinkles around my mouth have started to stay put even when I'm not smiling. I am very much aware that this isn't a serious issue, and is likely something only I would notice. That being said, they drive me up the wall. Because I'm no stranger to dermal fillers, I decided to look into injections on the cheek area to help lift my skin to smooth out those wrinkles.
While the primary purpose of cheek fillers is to build up lost volume in the face, dermatologists often turn to them to help lift the nasolabial fold and smooth those smile lines as well. This is exactly what I tasked Nancy Samolitis, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Facile Dermatology + Boutique, with as I embarked on my cheek filler journey.
Be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to cheek filler here, then keep reading ahead to see exactly what it was like to get the procedure for the first time — along with my before and after photos.
Before Cheek Fillers
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Aviel Kanter
Since my cheeks are already pretty full, my main objective with the cheek fillers was to smooth out my smile lines and wrinkles around my mouth. I told Dr. Samolitis I wanted a very subtle effect, so she said she would only use one syringe on me. (Of course, your doctor will determine how many syringes you need according to the results you're looking for.)
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Immediately After Getting Cheek Fillers
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Aviel Kanter
The procedure itself was quick — about 10 minutes. Some doctors apply numbing cream to the area to alleviate pain, but personally, I thought it wasn't too bad; you feel the pinch of the needle and then some pressure as the filler is injected. You might also have the very weird sensation of hearing the filler (kind of like a crackling) when it moves over your cheekbone.
Immediately after the appointment, my cheeks were pretty sore and it didn't feel great to smile. However, the pain was minimal and didn't disrupt my life. Prepare for a low-grade soreness right after getting your cheek fillers and into the next day. It's possible that there can be some swelling for a day or two and bruising, which could last a week, but it varies person to person.
Swelling for me was gone two days after getting the filler, and I only had one teeny-tiny pinprick bruise that faded within four days. Dr. Samolitis suggested I use ice packs to reduce swelling and sleep propped up for a day or two.
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3 Days After Getting Cheek Fillers
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Aviel Kanter
Admittedly, my results are very subtle — most dermatologists will recommend you start small, because you can always go back for more — but the cheek fillers did the job I wanted them to. My smile lines are noticeably smaller, and I have a slightly more pronounced contour. So, success!
For the amount of cash you're dropping on them, though, it probably makes more sense to get cheek fillers to do their main job: replenish lost volume in the face. So if that's your goal, definitely talk to your dermatologist about cheek fillers — it's an easy, minimally painful procedure with basically zero downtime that can yield pretty significant results.
The best part? For cheek fillers specifically, Dr. Samolitis says that since these are really just sitting on top of the bone, people can expect them to last about a year (although she's seen cheek fillers last for up to two years).
