Treating the cheeks with hyaluronic acid filler

Cheek volumisation and augmentation is when a temporary hyaluronic acid filler is injected into the layers of the cheek area and mid-face, often along the zygomatic bone. This can also be performed with stimulatory semi-permanent fillers that contain calcium hydroxylapatite, polycaprolactone or poly-L-lactic acid, but the most commonly used filler type is hyaluronic acid. This is due to the reduced risk of permanent vascular occlusion and the ability to use hyaluronidase (Hyalase) to dissolve this, should there be an undesired complication (King et al, 2018).

Hyaluronidase is a prescription-only medicine (POM) and, within aesthetic medicine and practice, it is used off-license to reverse the effects of vascular occlusion or elective correction. Nurse prescribers must always ensure that they are insured appropriately for the prescribing and use of hyaluronidase within their aesthetic practice.

Treatment of the cheeks with filler can be identified in up to three categories: restoration, rejuvenation and/or beautification. Differentiating what type of treatment the cheek filler is for your patient is essential in achieving a natural and desired outcome. Establish whether it is a beautification, restoration or rejuvenation treatment, or if the desired outcome is achieving more than one of these results.