Filler

Midface

Cheek shape and definition

Cheek filler in Hale, Altrincham

Cheek filler can soften hollows and shadows, restore cheek shape lost over time or bring out your cheekbones, helping your face look fresher and more defined.

Your cheeks may look a little hollow now, with shadows that weren't there before. Perhaps your face looks more drawn, or you miss the cheek shape you used to have.

Cheek filler can replace some of that lost volume, softening the hollows so your face looks less tired. It can also bring out cheekbones that have always been less defined - a little like the effect you might create with makeup.

Dr Alex will assess your face and talk through the change you'd like. That might be restoring a familiar shape or giving an existing feature a little more emphasis.

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Dr Alex teaches doctors, dentists and nurses across dermal filler ranges and is a current trainer for Evolus, the company behind Estyme fillers.

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Treatment cost
£400
Seeing the change
Visible straight away
Recovery
Usually little interruption
Visible results
Usually 12-18 months

What have you noticed?

What has changed when you look in the mirror?

Sometimes it's a particular hollow. Sometimes you just look at your face and think it used to look less tired.

Your cheeks look hollow or drawn

You notice dips or shadows across your cheeks that make your face look older or more tired. You'd like to soften those changes and recognise a little more of the face you're used to.

You'd like your cheekbones to stand out

You like a more defined cheekbone, perhaps the effect you get with contour and highlighter. Filler can help bring out that shape, without the daily blending involved.

Your face has changed after weight loss

You're happy with your weight, but your face looks more hollow than you expected. You'd like to restore some of the cheek shape you've lost.

The practical details

Before you book

You don't need to choose a filler or an amount before booking. Dr Alex will recommend these after examining your face.

Treatment cost
£400
The recommended amount and total cost are confirmed at consultation.
Seeing the change
Visible straight away
You can see the initial change at your appointment. Allow around 2 weeks to assess the settled result.
Recovery
Usually little interruption
Most people carry on with their day. Bruising or mild swelling can occur.
Visible results
Usually 12-18 months
Dr Alex's usual guide for HA filler. He checks what remains before recommending more.
Your practitioner
Dr Alex
Your consultation and cheek treatment are with the same doctor.

The change you could see

Cheeks that look fresher and more defined

Softening a hollow can reduce the shadow it casts. Restoring cheek shape can help your face look fresher; defining the cheekbones can give it more contour.

For age-related changes, treatment often restores some of what has been lost. That can make the face look less drawn without creating a very different appearance.

If your aim is enhancement, you might want more prominent cheekbones or a change that contributes to a more masculine or feminine look. Dr Alex will discuss what that means to you and how it would work with your other features.

The amount of change is something to agree together. A result can be noticeable and still look natural on your face.

✓

✓

Softer hollows and the shadows they create

✓

A less drawn or tired-looking face

✓

More defined cheekbones

✓

Restoration of cheek shape lost over time

Would it suit your face?

Would replacing lost volume help?

Dr Alex will assess the skin and tissues beneath it, including any previous filler, to work out what is contributing to the change you see.

Your cheeks have lost support
Changes in the tissues beneath the skin can leave the cheeks looking flatter or more hollow. Replacing some of that lost volume can help restore their shape and soften the shadows.
You want a different contour
Naturally flatter cheeks may suit more definition. Your cheekbone position and facial proportions help Dr Alex judge where an adjustment would give the effect you want.
You have had filler before
Existing filler may still be contributing to the shape, even if it was placed some time ago. Bring any product details you have so Dr Alex can assess what is already there.

What cheek filler cannot do

It does not replace a facelift

Cheek filler is not a way to pull up heavy jowls or remove loose skin. Adding more volume in an attempt to achieve that can make the face look puffy.

If your main concern is sagging, skin texture or lines etched into the skin, Dr Alex will explain which other treatments are more relevant.

How it works

How filler softens a hollow or defines a cheekbone

Hyaluronic acid filler is a gel placed beneath the skin to replace lost volume or add definition.

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body. In filler it is made into a gel that holds volume for a time before gradually breaking down.

A hollow creates a dip where the light falls differently. Adding support beneath it can smooth the transition and soften its shadow. Filler placed to define a cheekbone has a different purpose: making that feature stand out. Dr Alex chooses the gel and treatment areas accordingly.

Your appointment

Tell Dr Alex what you'd like to change

He'll assess your face in person. You can point out a hollow, describe a change you've noticed or explain the cheek shape you prefer.

Consultation

Look at the whole face

Dr Alex will examine your cheeks at rest and when you smile, discuss your health and previous treatments, and ask which features you'd like to keep or change.
Before treatment

Agree where volume would help

He'll explain the likely result, product, amount, risks and cost. You'll discuss which areas would benefit and whether the result should be built over separate appointments.
Treatment

Add the filler

Dr Alex uses a needle, a fine blunt-tipped tube called a cannula, or both. The HA fillers he uses contain lidocaine to help with comfort. Additional numbing can be considered if needed.
Afterwards

Looking after the result

You'll receive aftercare advice, including when to resume exercise and your usual skincare. He leaves at least a month before considering more filler in the same area. Concerns should be reported promptly, not held until a review.

Experience with dermal fillers

Why choose Dr Alex for cheek filler?

Dr Alex teaches doctors, dentists and nurses how to use several dermal filler ranges. He is currently a trainer for Evolus's Estyme range and has helped launch Estyme and Aliaxin LV in the UK.

At your consultation, he'll look at where your cheeks have lost support and how they move when you smile. Restoring a hollow and emphasising a cheekbone require different choices. He'll explain where treatment would help, including whether changes nearer the middle of the face need attention.

Your consultation, treatment and follow-up are with Dr Alex, so you can discuss the result with the doctor who treated you.

GMC-registered doctor · 7072776

Full Member of BCAM

International toxin trainer

Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Side effects and suitability

What should you know before cheek filler?

Swelling, tenderness, redness and bruising can follow cheek filler. The cheeks may initially feel firmer or look less even than the settled result.

Possible side effects

Persistent lumps, unevenness, infection, allergic reactions and filler moving from its intended position can occur. Inflammatory swelling can also develop later. Contact SONÜ about symptoms that persist, worsen or appear after the area has settled.

Rarely, filler can interrupt the blood supply and damage skin or other tissue. Serious complications can include permanent sight loss or stroke. Dr Alex will explain these risks before treatment.

When to get urgent help

Contact SONÜ immediately for unusual or increasing pain, pale skin, or dusky or mottled skin after filler. If you cannot reach the clinic, seek urgent medical care.

A change in vision, sudden weakness or difficulty speaking needs emergency help. Call 999 and tell them you have recently had dermal filler.

When filler may need to wait

Treatment should wait during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and while there is an active infection or broken or inflamed skin around the cheek. Tell Dr Alex about allergies, previous filler reactions, health conditions, medicines and any recent or planned dental work. These can affect suitability and timing.

You can ask questions, take time to think or decide against treatment.

Treatment pricing

How much does cheek filler cost?

Treatment starts from £400 for the first 1 ml. We’ll agree the amount, areas and total cost with you before treatment.

First 1 ml
£400per first 1 ml
Additional 1 ml
£300per additional 1 ml, same appointment
The first 1 ml is £400, with each additional 1 ml at the same appointment priced at £300. If your plan is spread over several visits, each visit is priced separately using these rates. We’ll agree the plan and cost with you first.
A consultation with Dr Alex costs £75. If you choose to have treatment within 3 months of your consultation, you can put this fee towards it, including at a later appointment. It cannot be used towards skincare products. If you decide not to have treatment, the fee covers your consultation.
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If the recommendation includes another area or separate appointments, those costs will be explained too. You do not need to choose an amount of filler before being examined.

Your questions

Questions about cheek filler

Natural-looking results, treatment options and practical questions.

Will cheek filler make my face wider?
It can, depending on where volume is added. If extra width is something you want to avoid, say so. Dr Alex will assess whether restoring volume elsewhere in the cheek can achieve your goal, or whether filler is the wrong approach.
Can cheek filler look natural?
Yes. Replacing lost volume can restore a familiar cheek shape, while enhancement can bring out the cheekbones you already have. Dr Alex will assess your face at rest and smiling, and discuss the degree of change you want.
Will cheek filler lift my nasolabial folds?
It can help when lost midface volume is contributing to the folds. Dr Alex may recommend restoring that support first, then assessing whether the folds need treatment directly. This is different from adding filler to the outer cheekbones in the hope of pulling every fold upwards.
Can it improve under-eye hollows?
Cheek volume can affect the transition beneath the eyes, but cheek filler and tear trough filler treat different areas. Hollows, bags and dark pigmentation are also different concerns. Dr Alex will assess what is causing the shadow before recommending treatment.
How much cheek filler will I need?
That depends on your existing volume, any previous filler and whether you want restoration or more definition. The two sides may need different amounts. Dr Alex will recommend an amount after examining you and explain the cost before treatment.
Does cheek filler hurt?
You may feel a brief sting, pressure or tenderness. The HA filler Dr Alex uses contains lidocaine, a local anaesthetic. Numbing cream is not usually needed for the cheeks, but he can discuss extra help with comfort if necessary.
How long does cheek filler last?
Dr Alex usually advises 12-18 months of visible benefit for HA filler. The product, amount and your response affect this. Some volume may remain longer, so he assesses the cheeks before recommending more rather than topping up automatically.
When can I judge the result?
You can see the initial change straight away. Allow around two weeks to assess it once the tissues have settled, or longer if needed. If you'd like to consider more filler, Dr Alex waits at least a month before treating the same area again.
Can I go back to work afterwards?
Usually. Most patients continue their normal day, although bruising or some swelling may be visible. You'll receive specific advice about exercise, makeup and aftercare. Mention any important event when booking so there is enough time beforehand.
Can cheek filler be dissolved?
HA filler can be broken down with hyaluronidase. Dissolving needs a separate assessment and carries its own risks, including allergy. It is not a guarantee of returning to exactly the same appearance as before treatment.

Other options

If the concern goes beyond your cheeks

Tear trough treatment addresses suitable under-eye hollows. Nasolabial fold filler focuses on nose-to-mouth folds, while skin-quality treatments address texture and crepiness. Dr Alex can explain which concern is best treated first.

Nasolabial fold filler in Hale, Altrincham

Soften deeper nose-to-mouth folds and their shadows, with treatment assessed by Dr Alex at SONÜ.

Your next step

Let's talk about your cheeks

Book a consultation with Dr Alex at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. Tell him what has changed or what you'd like to bring out more. He'll examine your face and explain the improvement he thinks treatment could make.

Book a consultation Contact the clinic
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics

34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX

Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic

Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire