To give volume and firmness to lips, cheek bones, receding chins, or to correct asymmetries in these zones that play such a strategic role in determining people’s looks, it is possible to resort to infiltrations with well-tolerated natural or synthetic substances in order to augment the volume in such zones.

These surgical techniques have replaced traditional plastic surgery that inserted cheekbone prostheses which over time created great contraindications. A rigid silicon prosthesis is inserted on the cheekbone and may move about in time and alter the appearance of the cheekbone thus modifying the physiognomy of the entire face.

The fillers used in cosmetic surgery to augment the volume of cheekbones or lips, are substances injected under the skin to fill the cavities and the sagging of tissues, in such a way as to endow the skin with a smooth and stretched look. The fillers are used not only to give volume and correct facial zones, but also to fill and eliminate facial wrinkles and acne scars.

There are different types of fillers:

• fillers with rapid absorption properties like hyaluronic acid
• semi-permanent fillers like polylactic acid (Sculptra)
• permanent fillers like the hydroxylapatite of calcium (Radiesse).

Hyaluronic acid is a pure filler which is absorbed in the span of a few months (according to the zone) and is used especially for wrinkles. 

Polylactic acid is a substance that determines the need for water and fibroblasts which in turn produce the filling effect. This substance stays for a long time in the tissues, continuing their regenerative effect on the tissues.

Hydroxylapatite of calcium has been used by orthopedics for 50 years now to regenerate portions of weak or damaged bones. The product is well known.

Radiesse consists of hydroxylapatite of calcium and hyaluronic acid which in this formula may be injected as a long-term permanent filler. It is used to model the cheekbones or tiny post-surgical defects of the nose.

The fillers are injected under the skin with a short-needled syringe. This cosmetic surgical treatment does not require anesthesia. At most one may make use of an anesthetic spray for local use. 

The fillers are used in both cases of wrinkles that are formed due to ageing and wrinkles that form when one has lost weight.

In both cases the progressive reduction of the subcutaneous adipose component which created wrinkles, can be filled or stretched with an infiltration of fillers.

Also in cheekbones that are not round enough or for a receded chin, the fillers may be an effective solution. 

The fillers are generally well tolerated by the body, and do not cause pain nor difficult recovery and return to normal activities, as may occur in cases of prostheses implants or face lifting treatments.