DERMAL FILLERS

Cheek augmentation with dermal fillers is a quick, walk-in, walk-out treatment that restores height, definition and fullness, and symmetry to the cheek area. Dermal fillers are injected at varying depths to plump the cheek area and instantly restore the natural volume and fullness.

When administered by a skilled cosmetic doctor, this treatment is a customisable procedure. Someone with a thin face might want plumper cheeks; someone with a round face might gravitate toward a more angular look. In other words, the attending doctor must ensure they achieve beautiful left and right symmetry and vertical-horizontal harmony of the face while bringing out an individual’s facial beauty.

When cheekbones become more defined, the overlying skin looks tighter, and nose-to-mouth folds are softened. This treatment not only helps lift and elevate the mid-face but gives a pleasing, soft youthfulness to the face.

Any patient who desires an improvement in the size and shape of the cheeks may be suitable for this non-surgical treatment. For example, patients with a flat or poor mid-face shape can improve the balance of their faces with this treatment. Also, patients with deformities of the cheeks from birth or injuries can achieve significant improvement without the pain, risk and recovery associated with surgery.

When administered by a skilled cosmetic doctor, this treatment is a customisable procedure. For example, someone with a thin face might want plumper cheeks; someone with a round face might gravitate toward a more angular look. In other words, the attending doctor must ensure they achieve beautiful left and proper symmetry and vertical-horizontal harmony of the face while bringing out an individual’s facial beauty.

The dermal filler we use for this treatment has been exclusively formulated to restore contour and volume in the cheeks. We will not compromise on our standards and use the highest grade of dermal fillers for more dramatic results with better lift and tissue support.

The lifespan of any fillers depends on the person getting the procedure, but the hyaluronic acid does dissolve slowly. Individual metabolic rates often determine how long you will have plumped cheeks. In general, these fillers provide long-lasting improvement for approximately 9-18 months.

Repeat treatments are recommended every 9-12 months to maintain the desired shape.

To carry out this procedure safely and effectively, a fine instrument places a small amount of soft tissue filler beneath the skin. Once injected, Dr Bong can then mould the substance into a more desirable shape for you with only his fingers!

During the procedure, you will have the opportunity to look at yourself in a hand-held mirror and have control over the results.

BLUNT-TIPPED INSTRUMENT

The safety of our patients is most important to us. Dr Bong is one of the very few doctors in Scotland who uses a blunt-tipped instrument for this procedure. This is an advanced technique and requires a high level of precision and a steady hand. It is also the safest way of injecting soft tissue filler because this instrument is designed to avoid accidental injection of filler into a blood vessel. See the next question for more information about the advantages of using this instrument.

While traditionally, soft tissue fillers have always been injected using sharp-tip needles, a new alternative to using needles is using blunt-tipped cannulas. Although there is a role for both methods of injection, the cannula does offer some excellent benefits to patients.

Sharp needles can pierce veins and arteries beneath the skin. Since blunt cannulas simply push aside any arteries and veins encountered beneath the skin, there is a reduced risk of bleeding and bruising.

Sharp tip needles use a very thin, short, sharp needle to inject dermal fillers. Multiple injection points are required when using needles, which can increase the risk of hitting a vein. If a vein is hit with a needle, there is a higher chance of bruising after the procedure.

Sharp tip needles may also result in trauma to the skin, causing swelling.

Cannulas have a hollow bore, just like needles, allowing the filler to pass through into the tissue. However, instead of sharp tip like needles, cannulas have rounded, blunt ends. It is a bit like a long needle, but the tip is blunt. The process involves numbing the skin with ice, and then injecting a small amount of local anaesthetic beneath the skin with a tiny needle. When the skin is numb, a needle is used to pierce the skin, and then the cannula is threaded into the puncture site, sliding along the natural planes of tissue, providing access to a large area for filler placement.

Less Pain During Treatment – Being injected multiple times with sharp needles can be painful, but while it may sound a bit uncomfortable to have a cannula beneath your skin, there is very little discomfort. Patients often note that they experience a strange “pushing and tugging” feeling, but there is very little pain. Fewer actual pokes with needles also reduce the amount of pain, even when multiple areas of the face are being treated.

Decreased Risk of Bleeding and Bruising – Sharp needles can pierce veins and arteries beneath the skin. Since blunt cannulas simply push aside any arteries and veins encountered beneath the skin, there’s a reduced risk of bleeding and bruising.

A Safer Option – When using needles for filler injections, one of the scariest potential complications is accidentally injecting filler into an artery, which can cause tissue death. In extremely rare cases, blindness has occurred. Cannulas do not pierce arteries, so they offer a much safer option for patients.

Minimal Downtime – Since needle-injected fillers can cause swelling and bruising after the procedure, they do often have some social downtime. Since the cannula injection method cuts down on swelling and bruising, there is minimal downtime post-procedure.

Precision – With blunt-tipped cannulas, fillers can be injected more accurately, reducing the amount of filler needed to achieve the desired results.

Greater Flexibility – A much larger surface area can be treated with just a single injection site when using the cannula method, making it possible to get more done with fewer injection points.

Not at all. Dr Bong prides himself in his innovative approach to advanced non-surgical facial treatments and is well known for his unique methods of achieving beautiful yet natural results with minimal pain and downtime.

90% of our patients do not require any form of an anaesthetic agent at all, and they describe this procedure as less uncomfortable than getting a vaccine or having a blood sample taken from your arm. To provide further relief and alleviate as much pain as possible, we use premium, industry-leading soft tissue fillers containing a pre-mixed anaesthetic agent.

Although uncommon, possible adverse effects may include:

There may be some mild redness in the treated area, which usually resolves after a few hours. Noticeable swelling is uncommon. Occasionally bruising can occur which normally resolves spontaneously within 5-7 days. During this time, make-up can be applied.

Improvement in the shape and projection of the cheeks will be seen immediately. After the treatment the treated area may be slightly red and/or slightly swollen. However, you can resume normal activities, drive yourself home or return to work immediately after the treatment.

Typically the treatment is complete in 15-20 minutes. Most people feel comfortable going back to their normal activities immediately following their appointment. Make-up may be applied following the treatment.

All injections come with risks – swelling, bruising etc. But the cheek is a particularly unique area of the face. We believe that patients need to understand the safety principles of filler injections and have a healthy fear of filler injections in general.

This treatment is not a procedure you want to shop around for a cheaper deal.

Dr Bong has extensive experience in this procedure, and his expertise and skills in his field are unparalleled. You will be in the safest of hands.

Individuals who are looking for more permanent improvement may want to consider a cosmetic surgery procedure called Malarplasty, which involves inserting a small implant into the mid-cheek area through an incision in the mouth. We do not offer any surgical procedures.

Other treatments often performed at the same visit to rejuvenate the mid to upper face include:

Botox® wrinkle relaxing injections to relax frown lines and crow’s feet.

Dermal filler to soften under eye hollows.

We normally charge £350-£400 per syringe of the highest grade of filler for this treatment. Dr Bong will examine your muscles carefully, and establish if you are suitable for this treatment at your consultation. Our terms and conditions can be found here.

We accept cash or the following major credit and debit cards. We do not accept personal cheques.

If you are a new patient, a booking fee will be taken at the point of making your appointment.  Please read our full terms and conditions here.

We respect that your time is valuable, and we appreciate that you understand ours is too. Unfortunately, if appointments are cancelled or rescheduled at short notice, or if you do not attend an appointment, we cannot allocate your appointment slot to someone else; however, we still have overheads and staff salaries to pay. Please read our full terms and conditions here.

Please note for all patients, a £50 fee will be charged if you cancel or reschedule ANY appointment (including appointments which do not require an upfront deposit, such as a ‘check-up’ or review appointment) less than 48 hours before the appointment time. Patients who have pre-purchased a course of treatment will forfeit one of the treatments instead of paying this fee.

Late arrival to your appointment may result in reduced treatment time or the forfeiting of the appointment. We will endeavour to ensure that your appointment runs on time. However, for reasons beyond our control, we may need to cancel or postpone your appointment at short notice. In this unlikely event, we will try to contact you in advance. We do not offer compensation if we cancel or postpone your appointment.

Please read our full terms and conditions here.

To help our patients minimise the chance of losing their deposit or pre-paid treatments, we issue text reminders a minimum of 48 hours ahead of appointments. Patients should be aware that there may be reasons beyond our control, meaning that the text message does not reach them. Patients should diarise themselves when making follow-up appointments and not rely solely on the text message from the clinic as a reminder.