The aging process happens to all of us eventually. One day, you notice your cheeks seem a little flatter than they used to be. Your temples look more concave. You don’t look old, exactly, but you don’t look like yourself, either. Hollow cheeks and sunken temples are two of the most common concerns that bring patients to Cosmetic Solutions Laser & Skin Care Center. Here’s the good news: they’re highly treatable and don’t require surgery to correct.

What Causes the Loss of Facial Volume?

Your face isn’t just skin stretched over bone. Between those two layers there is fat, muscle and connective tissue that gives your face its shape. When you’re younger, these fat pads sit high on your cheekbones and fill out your temples, creating a fuller “baby faced” look. Then, over time, some of those fat pads shrink. Others migrate downward, which is why your lower face might look and feel heavier than it once was. Bone loss factors in, too. A 2015 study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by Dr. Bryan Mendelson and Dr. Chin-Ho Wong showed that the facial skeleton keeps changing well into adulthood, with measurable resorption in the midface and around the eye sockets. When that structural framework breaks down, everything above it settles inward. We can’t discount genetics, either. Some people have less midface volume naturally. As they get older, those features become more pronounced. Significant weight loss accelerates the process because facial fat compartments are among the first to deflate.

How Does Volume Loss Change the Way You Look?

When you lose cheek and temple volume, the effects show up throughout your face. The way shadows are cast across your face changes, as does the way light reflects. Nasolabial folds (the creases running from your nose to the corners of your mouth) deepen because they’ve lost the support that kept them filled. Temples develop a concave look that makes your forehead appear wider and your eyes more deep set. Many patients tell us they look tired even after a full night’s sleep, or that coworkers keep asking if they’re feeling all right. They’re frustrated by the difference between how they feel and what they see when they look in the mirror, and they want a solution that won’t put them out of commission for weeks of healing time. This is one of the reasons dermal filler treatments for volume loss have become so widely sought after.   

How We Approach Cheek and Temple Restoration at Cosmetic Solutions

Facial anatomy varies from one person to the next, and so does the degree and pattern of volume loss. Your treatment is personalized to ensure it matches the changes you’re seeing. During your consultation, a member of the Cosmetic Solutions team will assess your bone structure, skin quality, fat distribution and goals before recommending anything. If your temples are hollow but your cheeks still have solid volume, we focus your treatment on the most impact area. If fullness has diminished across several areas, we may suggest a staged plan or a complementary combination of treatments so your concerns are addressed adequately. Our injectors bring years of hands-on experience to the table and continue training on the latest techniques and products. The shared philosophy at our practice is simple: when you leave, people should think you look great and rested. Not “different.”

What Fillers Are Used for Volume Restoration at Cosmetic Solutions?

Different fillers have different consistencies, longevities and ideal placement depths. Our team works hard to match the right product with the right area.

JUVÉDERM

JUVÉDERM VOLUMA is our go-to for cheek augmentation and midface lifting. Its thick consistency provides structural support that can last up to two years. For finer correction around the mouth, JUVÉDERM ULTRA offers a softer, more pliable result. All JUVÉDERM products are hyaluronic acid based, so the filler has low risk of allergic reaction and integrates seamlessly with your tissue.

Restylane

We reach for the Restylane line frequently because the range covers so much ground. Restylane Lyft delivers firm lift in the cheeks (and can also restore volume to aging hands), while Restylane Silk handles lip enhancement and delicate perioral lines where it’s critical to have flexibility as well as volume. We can often treat multiple areas with different Restylane products in a single appointment.

Belotero Balance

Belotero Balance has a smooth, lightweight consistency that’s ideal for superficial lines and areas with thin skin, like tear troughs and the skin around the mouth. Thicker fillers can sometimes leave visible ridges in these zones. Belotero integrates so evenly that the correction is soft and natural, even up close.

Radiesse

Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres that provide immediate volume and stimulate your body’s collagen production in the months that follow. We often choose Radiesse for patients wanting structural support along the cheeks or jawline who also want the added benefit of gradual, biological improvement on top of the instant correction.

Sculptra

For patients with broader facial thinning across the temples, cheeks and midface, Sculptra takes a different approach. Rather than filling directly, it triggers your skin’s collagen response over a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart. Results build gradually over two to three months and can last more than two years. The tradeoff is that Sculptra requires patience. You won’t walk out looking different after session one. But what you will get is subtle, progressive improvement that looks very natural.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Most healthy adults bothered by facial volume loss benefit from filler treatments. You’re likely a good candidate if your cheeks or temples look flatter or more hollow than they used to, if nasolabial folds or undereye hollows have become more noticeable, or if your face just looks more tired than you’d like it to. If you’re unsure whether fillers are the right fit for you, that’s what your consultation is for. We’ll be honest about what fillers can and can’t do, and if a different approach would serve you better, we’ll say so.

What to Expect During and After a Filler Treatment

Filler injections happen in-office and take 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how many areas we’re addressing. We numb your skin with a topical anesthetic beforehand. Most fillers we use contain lidocaine for added comfort. Post-treatment, mild swelling, redness or bruising at the injection sites is normal and typically clears within a few days. Most patients go back to their regular routine the same day. We recommend skipping intense exercise and saunas for 24 hours. With hyaluronic acid fillers, you’ll see improvement right away that settles into its final result over about two weeks. Sculptra and Radiesse work on a longer timeline, with collagen stimulation continuing for weeks to months after treatment.

Restore What Time Has Changed With Dermal Fillers

At Cosmetic Solutions Laser & Skin Care Center in Cedar Rapids, our experienced team helps patients reclaim facial volume and contour that has gradually diminished. We’ll work with you to design a treatment plan built around your anatomy and your goals. Ready to find out what volume restoration can do for you? Schedule a consultation with our team today.