What Is the Best Age to Get Dermal Filler Cheeks

Dermal fillers have become a go-to solution for those wanting to restore or enhance volume in the cheeks without going under the knife. As more people turn to non-invasive cosmetic treatments, understanding the best age to get dermal filler cheeks is crucial. Factors like the aging process, lifestyle habits, and personal aesthetic goals can all influence when to start and how often to maintain treatments.

Age-Related Changes in Cheek Volume

While all people age at a somewhat different rate, some scientific studies have revealed that the loss of facial volume can begin to appear as early as the mid-20s. It is believed that after age 25, the skin loses about 1% of its collagen every year. As this happens gradually, the skin eventually thins, and elasticity is lost. In most individuals around the age of 35-45, volume loss in the cheeks becomes apparent, making the face no longer appear quite as full and youthful.

In Your 20s and Early 30s:

Individuals in this age group rarely experience severe volume loss and usually get fillers either for slight contouring or as a way of prevention. Indeed, according to the report from The Journal of Aesthetic Surgery, about 30% of filler patients in this age group receive dermal fillers for natural feature enhancement. Volume per session is usually around 0.5 to 1 ml per cheek and confers slight, natural-appearing features. This is most common for those who want cheekbones highlighted or who want to give their face a better structure without going through extreme changes.

Late 30s to Early 40s:

As collagen and elastin levels decrease, cheekbones tend to lose some volume and also make the skin sag. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimated that most people over 40 years of age report noticeable sagging of the cheeks because fat is distributed elsewhere in the face. This age group might need 1-2 ml on each cheek to achieve a full, lifted look. Moreover, this age group tends to include a greater number of patients who desire fillers for rejuvenation and the reversal of visible signs of aging.

For the performed clinical case study, 100 patients aged between 35-50 years demonstrated that more than 80% of them found an overwhelming improvement in cheek volume and facial symmetry after the use of fillers like Juvederm Voluma. For these groups, usually, maintenance is advised to be performed in intervals of 12 to 18 months, each, corresponding to the skin’s aging rate and also the type of filler used.

Prevention vs. Correction: What’s Better for Each Age?

The decision between prevention and correction will rest on very personal objectives and skin condition. Generally speaking, most younger patients are concerned with the prevention of further volume loss in the future. A small amount of filler material used early in life will keep the skin firm and prevent the visual signs of aging, even before they appear.

Preventive Treatments in Your 20s and 30s:

Dermal fillers serve more of a prevention purpose in this age group. Indeed, according to a study by the British Journal of Dermatology, people in the 25-35-year-old range who had small amounts of filler every 1-2 years tended to maintain a youthful appearance longer than those who began treatments after the visible signs of aging had set in. Treatments during this period are less invasive and targeted at staving off collagen loss before it really begins.

According to aesthetic experts, individuals in this age group might favor light fillers like Restylane or Juvederm Volite, which can provide gentle touches. Using the same example, a 29-year-old patient would use 0.5 ml of filler on either cheek to define the cheeks a little without looking so different.

Corrective Treatments in Your 40s and Beyond:

For the most part, after the age of 40, clients require some form of corrective treatment to replace volume loss and also to treat deeper skin concerns. In fact, research in the International Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology shows that the therapeutic effect for this age group with fillers should not just replace lost volume but should have an effect on lifting sagging skin. A patient aged 45 years, for instance, would be prepared with about 1.5-2 ml of a more firm filler like Radiesse to give them that healthy fullness. These treatments combine with Botox to iron out the wrinkles and give an overall coordinated rejuvenation effect.

One of the main findings in the 2022 study about the duration of dermal fillers was that in older patients, the correction treatments might last for anything from a year to one and a half years. However, for longevity in such a scenario, frequent touch-ups are always necessary for maintenance. For people in their 50s and 60s, an appointment with the doctor is often scheduled every 6-9 months to keep the freshness going.

How Cheek Fillers Differ by Age Group

The type of dermal filler and technique used will depend on the patient’s age, facial anatomy, and objectives. Younger people generally prefer softer fillers, and for older patients, stronger solutions are required.

Younger Patients (20s to early 30s):

In this age group, Juvederm Voluma or Restylane Lyft is typically used. These lighter hyaluronic acid fillers are specifically designed to give slight volume and accentuate the contours of the face without making drastic changes. Lighter and more superficial placements of the filler are mainly performed for younger patients to preserve the natural mobility of the face and avoid an overfilled appearance.

For example, suppose a 28-year-old patient wishes to have very minimal augmentation of the cheeks. In that case, 1 ml in each cheek may be adequate, with durability lasting up to 12 months with minimal downtime.

Older Patients (40s to 60s):

Thicker fillers, such as Sculptra or Radiesse, may be more effective for patients in their 40s and onward to stimulate collagen production and longer-lasting volume. Typically, such fillers are set deeper into the tissue to fill in the much more noticeable volume loss with age. For a 50-year-old, 2 ml or more per cheek is going to be required, depending on their level of volume loss. Sometimes, physicians can combine other fillers in a technique called “layering” for the most natural results.

Common Side Effects by Age

Side effects with cheek fillers also vary concerning age, skin quality, and total health of a patient.

Younger Patients (20s-30s):

Most patients who are younger than most have very minimal side effects from the treatment. The most common could be swelling and bruising, but even these typically will subside in a few days. In fact, 90% of the 25-35-year-old patients report no major complications after their filler treatment according to American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) data.

Older Patients (40s-60s):

With slower skin regeneration, older patients may show more pronounced bruising and longer periods of recuperation. According to a study in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, individuals above 45 years are more susceptible to some of the potential side effects, which include prolonged swelling or bruising. Up to now, it has taken as long as 7 to 10 days for some of these potential side effects to resolve, especially for thin-skinned people with illness histories.

When to Start and How Often to Get Cheek Fillers

The decision to start with and the frequency at which to get cheek fillers depends on personal aesthetic goals, skin quality, and the volume enhancement one may seek.

Younger Patients (20s to Early 30s):

Most preventives in this age group are generally required to be touched up in a period of every 12-18 months. For example, Juvederm Voluma can last approximately a year, although a small top-up every 9-12 months can be very beneficial in maintaining optimal cheek fullness without the prospect of sudden changes.

Older Patients:

40s and above, who would have to go through maintenance more frequently, i.e., every 6-9 months. Layering is another way of extending the effect of fillers. Patients over the age of 50 are usually advised to complement their filler treatments with other skin-tightening procedures in order to address both loss of volume and skin laxity.

Ultimately, the ideal age to get cheek fillers is determined by variables like individual facial anatomy, genetics, and lifestyle. The work with a qualified aesthetic professional will definitely ensure advice peculiar to your needs.