Bad Cheek Fillers: Signs, Risks & How to Fix Cheek Fillers Gone Wrong

Understanding Cheek Fillers

Cheek fillers are hyaluronic acid-based fillers that have earned a reputation for being non-surgical cosmetic treatments. As we age, our cheeks start losing volume and become less defined, and signs of aging become visible. Furthermore, genetically, some people don’t have cheeks with volume or plumpness. Cheek fillers, also known as liquid facelifts, restore lost volume, add plumpness to the face, and treat the signs of aging.

But can cheek fillers be harmful? How bad cheek fillers can ruin the beauty of your face? What are the causes and symptoms of a botched filler treatment? If cheek fillers go wrong, how can they be corrected? This article will address all these important questions so you can make an informed decision about getting cheek fillers with complete confidence.

Fillers Gone Wrong! What are the reasons?

Cheek fillers are used to restore volume to hollow or flat cheekbones and address age-related soft tissue changes. However, excessive use of cheek fillers can negatively impact results. Therefore, they should only be used as needed, even if you are aiming for an “apple cheeks” effect. An excessive amount of cheek fillers can make the face appear unnaturally swollen and distort its structure.

Reasons Why Cheek Fillers Can Go Wrong:

Inexperienced Injector
To achieve the best results, cheek fillers should always be administered by an experienced and skilled injector. A lack of expertise can lead to improper injection techniques, incorrect dosage, and undesirable outcomes.
Overfilling
Using fillers in excessive amounts can distort facial features and create an unnatural, overfilled look. Maintaining balance and moderation is essential for achieving the desired results.
Incorrect Placement
Injecting fillers in the wrong areas can lead to facial asymmetry, making the face look uneven or unnatural.
Use of Low-Quality Fillers
The FDA has approved dermal fillers for safe facial rejuvenation and contouring. However, using non-FDA-approved or low-quality fillers can result in poor outcomes and increase the risk of complications.
Lack of Sterility & Hygiene
Cheek filler treatment should always be performed in a clean, sterile environment. Although it is a non-surgical procedure, a needle is still injected into the skin. If proper hygiene is not maintained, bacteria can enter the skin, increasing the risk of infections and other complications.

Common Signs of Bad Cheek Fillers Gone Wrong

The results of cheek fillers are not immediately visible; full results typically appear in 2 weeks. If you don’t notice any improvement within 2 weeks, it could be a sign that your cheek fillers have gone wrong. The common signs of bad cheek filler treatments are explained here.

Sunset Eyes

When too much filler is injected into the cheeks, the area under the eyes appears swollen and raised, while the eyes look droopy and smaller. Their shape resembles the sun setting on the horizon, which is why they are called ‘sunset eyes.’

Pillow Face

‘Pillow Face’ describes what bad cheek fillers look like. When an excessive quantity of cheek fillers is injected into the cheekbones or below the cheekbone structure, the face becomes swollen from under the eyelids to the midface, resulting in a ‘pillow-like’ structure. Cheek fillers are injected to add volume to the cheeks, but an excessive amount can lead to this ‘pillow face’ effect.

Facial Asymmetry

When dermal fillers are injected into the cheeks, swelling is common and can give the face an uneven appearance. However, this swelling is temporary and usually resolves on its own. But if it doesn’t subside within two weeks, it indicates that your cheek filler treatment was done incorrectly.

This could be due to placing the fillers in the wrong area, using excessive amounts, or migration of the fillers, which leads to unwanted volume or plumpness, making the face look heavy or swollen. This can happen not only with cheek fillers but also with nose, chin, and lip fillers. Therefore, it’s essential to have the injections done by a skilled and experienced injector who ensures precision and appropriate dosage to maintain facial symmetry.

Unnatural Look

Another sign of bad cheek filler treatment in individuals is an unnatural appearance. Improper placement or overfilling of fillers in cheeks can result in high or over-rounded cheeks.

Allergic Reactions and Infections

Although rare, allergic reactions caused by dermal fillers in the cheeks can lead to serious risks and complications. The chances of an allergic reaction are minimal due to the primary ingredient in fillers, hyaluronic acid. Since hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, it is readily absorbed, and the risk of rejection is very low.

However, low-quality fillers and unprofessional injection techniques can trigger allergic reactions, resulting in swelling, hives, itching, redness, pain, and discomfort in the treated area, sometimes even causing lumps under the skin. Additionally, unhygienic treatment conditions or fillers containing harmful additives can lead to infections, worsening the reaction. Therefore, it is highly recommended to receive filler injections from a skilled and experienced injector to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.

Skin Discoloration

Some cheek fillers, like hyaluronic acid, can cause skin discoloration. Hyaluronic acid is a transparent gel-like material that reflects blue light. After the treatment, the skin is changed to a bluish color, which is known as the Tyndall effect. this situation occurs when an excessive amount of filler is injected near the surface of the skin, causing a bluish tone of the skin

Risks of Cheek Fillers Gone Wrong

Although the FDA has approved cheek fillers for safe cosmetic treatment, cheek fillers can go wrong, and complications can arise due to unprofessional injection techniques, incorrect placement, or the use of low-quality material. the complications caused by bad cheek filler treatment include:

Granuloma:

A granuloma is a localized inflammatory cluster that forms due to the body’s immune response to foreign material. These reactions can occur 6–12 months after the treatment and can last for years if not checked properly. Although granulomas are rare cases, it may be chronic inflammation that appears as swelling, nodules, or other changes. Granulomas have a low ratio of 0.02% or 1 in 100 patients.

Vascular Occlusion:

Incorrect placement of facial fillers can result in some vascular complications known as vascular occlusion. The chances of these complications occurring in the nasolabial fold, nose region, and glabella are high. These reactions can appear in two ways:

If cheek fillers are injected into major blood vessels, they can block blood circulation and stop the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the skin.
If the injected filler applies pressure on the nearby artery, it blocks the supply of nutrients and blood.

It happens because of improper injection techniques. This condition is called “venous occlusion.”

Signs of vascular occlusion

skin discoloration
abnormal bruising
swelling
pain and discomfort
pale complexion due to blockage of blood flow

Tissue Necrosis

Vascular occlusion blocks blood supply, which can lead to tissue death, known as tissue necrosis. Although rare, tissue necrosis is a serious condition that requires medical advice. Discoloration of skin, swelling, bruising, and severe pain are the various signs of tissue necrosis.

How to Prevent Cheek Fillers from Going Wrong

Cheek fillers are considered a safe cosmetic procedure that helps lift and enhance the contour of the cheeks. However, if low-quality materials are used or the treatment is performed by an unqualified injector, it can lead to complications. To minimize risks and ensure a smooth experience, follow these essential precautions:

Choose a Qualified Professional

Selecting an experienced and skilled injector is essential to facial filler treatment. Ensure your injector is well-trained and has previous experience with dermal fillers. Also, you can check the cheek fillers before and after gallery and the patient reviews about the injector.

Understanding Procedure

Before getting the treatment, you can discuss your goal, the procedure, the complications of the treatment, and the results that you expect. It is important to talk to your doctor to understand the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Cheek Filler Aftercare

It is essential to follow the aftercare instructions from your provider to get the best results and avoid complications. It is better to avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, and pressing or rubbing the treated area.

Take Action on Unusual Signs

Consult your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms, like swelling, pain, redness, skin discoloration, or any others.

Conclusion

Cheek fillers can be a wonderful way to restore lost volume, enhance facial contours, and achieve a youthful appearance. However, when performed incorrectly, the results can be disastrous. Bad cheek fillers can lead to facial asymmetry, overfilled cheeks, infections, vascular complications, and even tissue necrosis. The primary causes of cheek fillers gone wrong include inexperienced injectors, overfilling, incorrect placement, and the use of low-quality fillers.

To minimize risks, always choose a qualified and experienced injector, understand the procedure, and follow proper aftercare guidelines. If you experience unusual symptoms such as prolonged swelling, discoloration, or pain, seek medical attention immediately. By taking these precautions, you can achieve natural-looking results and avoid the complications of poorly administered cheek fillers.