Dermal cheek fillers are most commonly made from hyaluronic acid (HA), a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the body and holds large amounts of water. A consultant plastic surgeon or dermatologist injects the product into the soft tissue or just above the bone of the cheek area to address a wide range of symptoms and conditions:

• Restored volume, which has been lost due to ageing or significant weight loss
• Corrected asymmetry caused by genetics or conditions such as facial palsy
• Increased skin hydration and quality

These effects are partly achieved due to the physical bulk of the filler and partly from its water-attracting properties, which keep the area hydrated. Some fillers, particularly those based on poly-L-lactic acid, known as Sculptra, also stimulate natural collagen production, which can extend the results.

HA fillers are gradually broken down by the body and typically last between 9 and 18 months, depending on the product and the individual. If required, they can be reversed using an injectable enzyme called hyaluronidase as part of filler dissolving treatment.

Ahead of any dermal filler treatment, your surgeon or dermatologist will discuss the risks you need to be aware of, to ensure you can make a fully informed decision. Side effects such as swelling, bruising and tenderness are normal and usually resolve within a few days. Rarer but serious risks include vascular occlusion, where filler blocks a blood vessel, so it is important that treatment is carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced practitioner. A consultation with a regulated healthcare professional is the best way to find out whether fillers are right for you.

Cheek fillers are not exclusively a procedure for women and are also a popular treatment among men. 

ISAPS report that in 2025, over 14% of dermal filler procedures were carried out for male patients globally.

Cadogan Clinic's consultant surgeons and dermatologists have carried out many cheek filler procedures on both men and women and are experts in using just the right amount of filler to ensure a natural-looking result.

Men with faster metabolisms will generally require more cheek filler top-up treatments than men with slower metabolisms.

Although there is nothing to suggest that dermal fillers are not safe to have during pregnancy, the Cadogan Clinic does not administer dermal fillers, including cheek fillers, to pregnant or breastfeeding women.