Cheek implants aim to enhance the shape, volume, and contours of the middle part of your face. This minimally-invasive procedure is done by inserting prosthetic implants — typically made from silicone — over the top of the cheekbones.
Our cheeks are a prominent part of our facial structure and feeling self-conscious about their appearance can be upsetting. Thankfully, cheekbone implants — often also referred to as cheek augmentation or cheekbone surgery — can provide a straightforward solution. This cosmetic procedure has become a lot more common in recent years, with many patients taking advantage of the high-quality care available abroad.
But, choosing to undergo cheek augmentation is still a significant decision. Looking for the right doctor and clinic, finding a balance between price and quality, and choosing between getting cheek implants in the UK or abroad, are just a few of the important points to consider.
The content has been reviewed for quality and accuracy to the best of our knowledge by Qunomedical and its Medical Board of Experts.
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Cheek Implants Quick Details
WHO IS THIS FOR
Those who are looking to adjust the shape or volume of their face.
People who have lost cheek volume due to ageing.
Those who are looking to adjust the shape of their face following an accident or medical condition.
TREATMENT DURATION
Cheek augmentation generally takes around one hour.
If done locally, you should be able to return home the same day.
If done abroad, you may need to stay overnight and return to the clinic for a post-op check-up the following day.
RECOVERY TIME
You can expect swelling around the treated area for around 2-3 weeks.
Try to avoid sleeping on the side of your face for around six weeks following surgery.
The final results are typically visible around two months after surgery.
SUCCESS
Success is dependent on your goals and expectations going into the treatment. This is something that you can discuss with your doctor before surgery.
POTENTIAL RISKS & SIDE EFFECTS
Haematoma
Infections
Bleeding and scarring around incision sites
Facial scarring
Numbness in the cheeks, which should ease within the first six weeks following treatment
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
How Much Do Cheek Implants Cost?
Cheek implant costs have become a lot more affordable in recent years. But, prices for the treatment can still vary depending on a few factors.
Cheek implant costs might change based on:
The experience of the doctor that you choose
The reputation of the clinic at which you undergo treatment
The type of cheek augmentation that you undergo
Whether you decide to get cheek implants in the UK or abroad
Price in Different Countries
Below, we’ve laid out the average starting price for cheek implants in several countries across Europe. These prices are not fixed or guaranteed and may vary depending on individual circumstances.
| Country | Price (EUR €) |
|---|---|
| Poland | €2,100 |
| Hungary | €2,500 |
| Turkey | €3,000 |
| United Kingdom | €4,000 |
Cheek Augmentation: How Does It Work?
Cheek implant surgery involves inserting prosthetic implants onto the cheekbones to enhance the contours of your face. While this process can vary from patient to patient, there are a few common steps involved in all cheek augmentations.
1. Administering Anaesthesia
Cheek augmentation can be performed using either local or general anaesthesia. This can be discussed with your doctor before surgery and is often dependent on things like your medical history and the type of cheek implants you choose.
2. Making the Incisions
In most cases, small, single incisions are made on either cheek, allowing surgeons to remove excess fat before inserting the implants. Separate incisions are then made inside the upper lip, creating a pocket for the cheek implants to be inserted into.
3. Implant Insertion
Once the incisions have been made, the implants can then be inserted into the cheeks. There are a couple of different types of cheek implants that are commonly used.
Malar implants: These are attached to the cheekbones and have the effect of raising them to give them more prominence and projection.
Submalar implants: This type of implant is inserted below the cheekbone to give the cheeks a fuller, wider appearance.
Combined implants: A combination of both malar and submalar implants to augment the entire face and the cheekbones.
4. Closing the Incisions
Once the implants have been inserted correctly and your doctor is happy with their position, the incisions will be closed securely using surgical sutures.
Cheek Implant Surgery: Results and What to Expect
It's important to have realistic goals and expectations of what cheekbone surgery can achieve. Understanding all surgery implications is also a fundamental step towards successful treatment and recovery.
Post-Op Discomfort
When Will I See the Results?
Are Cheek Implants Safe?
How Long Do Cheek Implants Last?
Should I Get Cheekbone Implants Abroad or at Home?
Choosing between getting cheek implants abroad or in the UK can be tricky. Travelling overseas for the procedure has become more popular recently and there are a few important reasons for this.
Patients choose to travel abroad to get cheek implants because:
The cost of cheekbone surgery at clinics overseas is much cheaper than in the UK.
Some of the most renowned and experienced plastic surgeons are based abroad.
Cheek augmentation clinics abroad are renowned for their exceptional standards of care.
Access to cosmetic surgery overseas is usually easier, with more doctors and shorter waiting lists.
Undergoing treatment abroad allows you to recover in a safe, private space.
Although travelling abroad for cheekbone implants is becoming more popular, there are a few common questions that patients ask before booking their treatment.
1. How Long Will I Need to Be Abroad For?
2. Will the Doctor and Clinic Staff Abroad Speak English?
3. Why Are Cheek Implants Abroad So Cheap? Does This Mean I’ll Receive Low-Quality Treatment?
Why Choose Qunomedical?
At Qunomedical, we take a patient first approach to healthcare, with no exceptions. Our company was built on the belief that high-quality, affordable care should be easily and readily accessible to everyone, whatever their background.
✔ 100% free, non-binding assessment: Regardless of whether you go on to book a treatment or not, we offer a 100% free, non-binding assessment.
✔ Best-in-class doctors: We developed our proprietary scoring system, Qunoscore, which evaluates doctors on more than 20 data points. These include qualifications, experience, accreditations, services offered, and reviews from past patients.
✔ 100% satisfaction guarantee: If you don’t get the results you were promised, we’ll pay for a second treatment or give you your money back.
✔ All-inclusive packages: Many high-quality clinics abroad offer all-inclusive treatment packages — covering things like accommodation, airport transfers, and a clinic shuttle service — to ensure that undergoing treatment abroad is as easy as it would be at home.
✔ Price match: Found the same treatment at the same clinic cheaper somewhere else? Let us know and we’ll match the price.
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