Cheeks do a lot of quiet work. They frame the eyes, lift the lower face, and set the tone for how rested or worn out you look. As facial volume fades with age, the mid face area can flatten, smile lines deepen, and shadows make sunken cheeks and a tired look more noticeable. Cheek filler in Newport Beach offers a clean, non-surgical way to restore lost volume, define facial contours, and bring back a naturally youthful appearance without stepping into an OR.
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At Bonakdar Aesthetics in Newport Beach, CA, cheek enhancement isn’t about trend-driven “apple cheeks.” It’s careful facial rejuvenation with injectable fillers planned for balance and longevity. Dr. Monica Bonakdar, known for precise, natural-looking results, maps each patient’s facial features and movement to create an individualized treatment plan. Her advanced approach blends structure (cheekbone support), lift (midface shaping), and softness (smoothing where folds collect) so your face still looks like you.
Most cheek fillers we use are hyaluronic acid fillers, sterile gels that closely match a naturally occurring substance found in skin. HA attracts water and integrates with tissue to add volume, smooth fine lines, and enhance youthful contours. We also offer poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) in select cases of broader facial volume loss. PLLA encourages the body’s natural collagen production over time. Both options are FDA-approved and chosen based on your anatomy, goals, and timeline for results.
Volume tells the story of the midface. When it dips, the lower face follows. Strategic cheek augmentation can:
That last point matters. Cheeks move every time you speak or smile. We place filler in supportive planes so your results look natural in motion—not just in still photos.
Most patients who want to correct volume loss, sunken cheeks, or early sagging are candidates for cheek enhancement. You should be in good health, at a stable weight, and clear of active skin infections. Let us know about blood-thinning medications or supplements; minimizing them (with your prescribing clinician’s approval) can reduce bruising. If your primary concerns are dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet or frown lines, we may add Botox to your plan, since those lines are caused by muscle movement rather than volume changes.
Your visit starts with photography, a 3-D assessment of the mid face area, and a conversation about what you see in the mirror versus what others notice. Dr. Bonakdar reviews your skin type, tissue thickness, and the way your cheeks behave when you smile and talk. From there, she builds a treatment plan that may include hyaluronic acid for immediate shaping and, in select cases, collagen-stimulating support over a few months.
Expect clear explanations about injection sites, filler choice, expected longevity, and how cheek support can soften the look of nasolabial folds, laugh lines, and vertical lip lines indirectly by lifting the heavy tissue that feeds those creases.
You’ll settle into a treatment chair at our Newport Beach office. We cleanse the skin and apply a topical numbing cream; most hyaluronic acid fillers also contain lidocaine, further easing sensation. Depending on your anatomy, Dr. Bonakdar uses a fine needle for pinpoint shaping or a flexible cannula to place product through a tiny entry site with fewer passes.
The filler is carefully injected along the cheekbone and deep support planes to define contours, then layered more superficially where softening is needed. The entire procedure typically runs 30 to 45 minutes. You’ll see immediate results: a subtle lift, crisper Ogee curve, and better light reflection while still looking like yourself.
Expect mild swelling and slight bruising at the injection site for a day or two; makeup can usually be applied the next day. Small lumps from swelling settle quickly as the gel attracts water and melds with tissue. Use cool packs in short intervals the first evening, sleep with your head elevated, and skip strenuous exercise and heavy heat (saunas, hot yoga) for 24 hours.
Most people return to normal routines the same day. If you’re planning photos or events, give yourself a few days for the most polished look. We’ll schedule a quick follow-up to review symmetry and tweak as needed.
For hyaluronic acid fillers, results often hold 12 to 18 months in the cheeks thanks to limited movement and good tissue support. Poly-L-lactic acid works differently. It sparks collagen production that builds gradually over a few months, with results that can persist longer once a series is complete. Duration varies by metabolism, filler type, and placement. We’ll outline likely timelines at your visit and set expectations around touch-ups that keep your youthful glow consistent rather than cyclical.
We use FDA-approved products and sterile technique. Typical effects include temporary tenderness, mild swelling, or slight bruising. Rare risks (vascular compromise, prolonged nodules, or asymmetry) are reduced by careful planning, knowledge of anatomy, and using a cannula when appropriate. Please share your medical history, allergies, and any blood-thinning medications so we can tailor your care and minimize any potential discomfort.
Cheek implants and lifts can create dramatic change, but many people don’t want incisions or weeks of downtime. Injectable treatments offer a reversible, adjustable route to restore volume and define contours without the recovery of surgical procedures. If laxity outpaces what fillers can do alone, we’ll discuss pairing cheek support with skin-tightening or, when appropriate, a surgical referral, always with your preferences in mind.
Cheek support plays well with other aesthetic treatments. Pairing fillers with Botox can manage dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet and frown lines. Lip augmentation can balance midface volume with elegant, proportional lips. Chemical peels or energy-based resurfacing can improve aging skin texture while cheeks handle structure. The goal is facial harmony—not a face full of filler.
Most people describe the procedure as quick pressure with brief pinches despite the topical numbing cream, more odd than painful. Afterward, you’ll notice a quiet shift: light catches the cheekbone again; the lower face looks less heavy; photos feel kinder. Friends may say you look refreshed, but can’t place why. That’s the point.
Technique matters as much as product. Dr. Bonakdar’s advanced techniques focus on the architecture of the face—cheekbone, ligament support, and soft-tissue transitions—so results hold up in real life, not just on the day of treatment. The practice is physician-led, detail-driven, and grounded in outcomes, not trends. That’s how we deliver natural-looking results with minimal downtime to Newport Beach and the surrounding Orange County communities.
A short consultation is the best way to see what’s possible. We’ll map your cheeks, set a smart plan, and keep the process straightforward. If your goal is a refreshed appearance with structure, glow, and restraint, you’ll be in good hands.
It depends on your starting cheek volume, bone structure, and goals. First-time treatments often use one to three syringes total for both cheeks. We build conservatively and layer if needed for optimal results.
No. We favor structure over bulk and place filler where it supports, not where it puffs. Your facial balance and movement guide every decision.
Indirectly, yes. Restoring cheek support often softens the junction where shadows collect. For true tear trough hollows, we may add targeted facial fillers under careful safety protocols.
Placed correctly, they move with you. We test expressions during treatment to ensure your smile and laugh remain yours.
Arrive well-hydrated, avoid alcohol and unnecessary blood thinners for several days (with your doctor’s approval), and come makeup-free. Tell us about past fillers and any procedures.
By lifting and supporting the midface, cheek enhancement can reduce the downward pull that deepens those lines. For etching at the mouth, we may add small, precise filler work around the lips.
We’ll assess. Some patients do beautifully with filler alone; others benefit from adding skin-tightening or resurfacing. The plan matches your tissue, not a template.
Contact Bonakdar Aesthetics for Cosmetic Dermatology and Skin Care in Newport Beach, Orange County, Palm Desert CA.
Our luxury concierge practice is committed to providing solutions for the aesthetic needs of the Newport Beach, Orange County and Palm Desert community seeking ageless beauty and confidence. Your experience at Bonakdar Aesthetics will be one that nurtures, restores, and revives your self-image.
We are proud to inform you of Bonakdar Aesthetics’ Exclusive Appointment Scheduling Policy. This policy ensures that your appointments are exclusively booked for you alone, thus you will not experience long waits, nor be rushed during your appointment. A booking fee is required at the time you make your consultation or treatment appointment. This fee is fully applied to your appointment or is refundable with cancellations 72 hours prior to your appointment.
20321 Irvine Avenue, Suite #F3, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm
36943 Cook St. #104, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm
This information from Palm Desert & Newport Beach's skin care specialist, Dr. Monica Bonakdar is not a substitute for health care or advice. You must consult with a physician regarding any health questions you may have. *Individual results may vary. Photos and reviews do not guarantee outcomes and no prediction of outcome is implied.
