Some people have Cheek Lines related to skin quality and dehydration, while others may have lines related to reduced structural support or midface volume changes. They may also appear differently, presenting as:
- superficial fine lines
- deeper lines that are visible at rest
- lines that appear more prominent with dehydration or reduced skin elasticities
- creasing that becomes more noticeable with facial movement
Why Do Cheek Lines Develop?
There are numerous contributing factors to Cheek Lines, including:
- dehydration and reduced skin quality
- volume loss in the midface
- age-related reduction in collagen and elastin
- genetic predisposition to fine cheek creasing
- UV damage and environmental exposure
- weight fluctuation and tissue deflation
- repetitive facial movements over time
- previous aesthetic treatments or altered tissue behaviour
Your Initial Consultation
All individuals interested in Cheek Line treatment must first attend a comprehensive face-to-face consultation. During this time, we’ll review your medical history, assess your facial anatomy and tissue support, and evaluate your skin quality. We’ll then discuss your treatment options, along with their associated risks and limitations. We’ll also discuss stage treatment planning, if clinically appropriate.
When prescription-based treatments are recommended, you also require a telehealth consultation with the prescribing doctor before proceeding to confirm your medical suitability and finalise the treatment plan.
This process helps you fully understand your options so you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed with treatment.
Treatment Options for Cheek Lines
Identifying the underlying causes of your Cheek Lines is essential for creating an individualised treatment plan. Often, several factors are involved, so more than one treatment may be considered over time.
Structural Support (Mid-Face Volumising)
When Cheek Lines are associated with volume loss or reduced structural support in the cheek area, we may consider Volumising treatment to support the midface and minimise surface creasing caused by tissue deflation.
Volumising treatment involves carefully placing volumising products within certain anatomical planes of the midface. It aims to give structural support and address contour definition in the area.
Typically, volumising support focuses on the upper and outer cheek rather than the mid or lower cheek. This approach supports anatomical balance and helps minimise the risk of creating excess volume through the central cheek.
Treatment planning is always conservative and may be staged over several sessions. This allows time for tissue integration and reassessment.
Volumising treatment is not required for everyone with Cheek Lines; however, it may be beneficial for some. Your suitability will be determined during an initial consultation.
Skin Boosters (For Superficial Fine Lines Support)
Skin Boosters are generally used to support skin quality and minimise the appearance of fine lines. They are typically administered superficially and can help address skin texture, hydration, superficial cheek creasing and overall skin quality. They may be used alone or in combination with other treatments, depending on an individual’s Cheek Lines, tissue behaviour and individual anatomy.
Polynucleotides with Dry Skin Needling
If an individual has superficial Cheek Lines that are more related to skin quality than to structural volume loss, Polynucleotides with Dry Skin Needling may be considered.
- Dry Skin Needling – creates controlled mechanical microtrauma in the treated area. This may help stimulate cellular activity and encourage the tissues to contract slightly inward, thereby reducing the visibility of superficial Cheek Lines.
- Polynucleotides – are derived from purified salmon DNA. They are designed to support cellular repair processes and fibroblast activity (involved in collagen and elastin production)
During this combined treatment, the area is first dry needled. Immediately after, Polynucleotides are administered to the treated area to support the repair response and optimise healing.
Treatment planning is conservative and may be performed as part of a staged approach depending on individual response.
Laser Treatments
These treatments can be ablative or non-ablative.
- Ablative Laser – creates controlled injury within the skin. Microscopic channels are formed, allowing new skin and tissue to form during healing. Due to its aggressive nature, patients must understand the associated risks, which are highlighted below.
- Non-Ablative Laser – This typically requires several sessions to stimulate collagen and elastin production. It aims to address overall skin quality and texture.
Comfort Measures
We offer a range of comfort measures to ensure your treatment is as well tolerated as possible. Depending on your treatment, and where clinically appropriate, this may include a topical anaesthetic, a local anaesthetic via needle, or, in select cases, nitrous oxide (happy gas). Your comfort is continuously monitored throughout the procedure, and adjustments will be made as required.
Cost
The cost of Cheek Line treatment depends on various factors, including:
- underlying cause of Cheek Lines
- type of treatment
- number of treatments required
- amount of product required
- whether treatment is staged over time
To determine pricing, a comprehensive in-person consultation is required.
The Importance of Conservative Planning
When planning treatment for Cheek Lines, we always consider long-term tissue behaviour.
Inappropriate product placement or overtreatment in the cheeks can affect facial proportions and may increase the likelihood of fibrotic tissue or inflammatory response.
For some individuals, a staged approach using a combination of treatments over time may be appropriate, rather than an aggressive correction in a single session.
At Bella Plastic Surgery, we prioritise anatomy-based placement techniques, conservative treatment planning and risk reduction strategies. Each individual must start the journey with an initial consultation where, after assessment, all treatment options will be discussed in detail, including all risks, limitations and expected outcomes.
Risks & Complications
All nonsurgical cosmetic procedures carry potential risks. These risks vary depending on the category selected. They may include redness, swelling, bruising, prolonged inflammation, pigment changes (particularly with laser-based treatments), infection, fluid retention, fibrotic tissue response, product migration (when a volumising product is used) and persistent or permanent tissue changes. Risks of laser treatments also include hypertrophic scarring, prolonged redness or delayed healing.
For more information, please see our Potential Risks and Complications page.
