Cheek & Temple Augmentation and Tightening
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When the face loses volume, this becomes apparent relatively quickly in the cheeks and temples. Causes can include the natural ageing process, significant weight loss, prolonged illness, or dental treatment. The skin appears less firm and contours begin to blur. Underlying this is a combination of reduced elasticity, the breakdown of collagen and hyaluronic acid, and changes to the fat and connective tissue.
At artethic® Dr. Schuhmann & Colleagues, we treat sunken cheeks and temples on an individual basis, using gentle, skin-friendly methods – from classic cheek and temple augmentation with filler, to tightening with radiofrequency, through to a minor surgical lift where the findings warrant it. Our goal is always a harmonious, natural result that complements your individual facial features.
At a glance
- Polynucleotides: Mechanism: cellular regeneration, collagen synthesis · Results visible after: 4–6 weeks · Duration: up to 12 months
- Hyaluronic Acid (Temples): Mechanism: volume restoration, moisture retention · Results visible after: immediately · Duration: up to 12 months
- NCTF® (New Cellular Treatment Factor): Mechanism: combination of hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and amino acids · Results visible after: after 2–3 treatments · Duration: up to 9 months
- Skinbooster: Mechanism: deep hydration, improvement of skin texture · Results visible after: 2–4 weeks · Duration: up to 9 months
- Sculptra® (Temples): Mechanism: stimulation of new collagen formation · Results visible after: 6–8 weeks · Duration: up to 24 months
- Morpheus8 / Forma: Mechanism: radiofrequency, tissue tightening · Results visible after: 4–6 weeks · Duration: up to 18 months
- One-Stitch Facelift: Mechanism: surgical tightening with a small incision · Results visible after: immediately · Duration: several years
Methods in Detail
Polynucleotides
Polynucleotides are skin-renewing biostimulators. They stimulate collagen and elastin production and increase skin density. They also have antioxidant properties and help protect against premature skin ageing. In the cheek and temple area, they strengthen tissue from within and smooth fine lines.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid binds moisture intensively within the tissue, restoring volume to sunken cheeks or temples. Contours such as the jawline can be subtly refined. Results are visible immediately after treatment.
NCTF®
NCTF is something of a best-kept secret. The combination of non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants improves overall skin quality, promotes cellular activity, and brings new radiance to tired, dull skin. NCTF® is particularly effective when combined with other tightening methods.
Skinbooster
Skinboosters are injected into specific layers of the skin to provide long-lasting hydration. The result is fresher-looking, smoother, and more elastic skin. Particularly well-suited for dry or thin skin.
Sculptra®
Sculptra® stimulates the skin's own collagen production over an extended period. The result is a natural tightening and increase in volume that lasts for several months – longer than conventional fillers. Especially recommended where there is significant volume loss.
Morpheus8 & Forma
Both treatments are based on radiofrequency energy which, when correctly calibrated, can visibly and lastingly firm the tissue.
Morpheus8 combines medical microneedling with fractional radiofrequency, allowing us to treat several skin layers in a single session.
With Forma, we use continuous radiofrequency heat. Suitable for early or very mild laxity of the cheeks and temples.
One-Stitch Facelift
Where the cheeks are more significantly sunken, a minor procedure involving a small incision in the temple area may be appropriate. The tissue is tightened and gently lifted. Recovery time is shorter than with more extensive facelifts, while the results remain long-lasting (several years).
Treatment Planning
Every cheek and temple tightening treatment must be planned individually. This includes:
Assessment of skin quality (where appropriate, using AI-assisted skin analysis)
Evaluation of volume loss and tissue firmness
Selection of the most suitable method or combination of methods
Focus on Natural Results
The Results
Smoother, firmer skin in the cheek and temple area
More harmonious, natural contours
Improvement in skin quality and texture
Long-lasting results, depending on the method chosen
Frequently asked questions
From what age does cheek or temple tightening make sense?
There is no fixed age threshold. What matters is the condition of the skin. Initial treatments with hyaluronic acid, polynucleotides, or skinboosters can in principle be worthwhile from the mid-thirties onwards, when elasticity and volume begin to decline gradually. A one-stitch facelift may be considered where laxity is more pronounced, the skin is thinner, and the patient is generally around 50 or older. This cannot be assessed in general terms – a specialist evaluation beforehand is essential.
Which method is right for me?
The appropriate treatment depends on several individual factors: How significantly have the cheeks and temples lost volume? How elastic is the tissue in the cheek and temple area? Is a rapid result desired? How gentle should the treatment be? Is a short downtime, for example, a realistic option?
How long does the treatment take?
The classic cheek augmentation with hyaluronic acid filler typically takes no more than forty minutes. A one-stitch facelift requires approximately sixty to ninety minutes. Regardless of the type of treatment, a thorough consultation and skin analysis are always required beforehand.
Can the temples and cheeks be treated at the same time?
We recommend treating several facial areas simultaneously. This produces a more harmonious and natural overall appearance. Both the cheeks and temples also influence the perceived appearance of the eyes and mid-face.
Is tightening possible without surgery?
Minimally invasive and energy-based treatments such as polynucleotides, skinboosters, Sculptra®, or Morpheus8 can firm and smooth tissue in the cheek and temple area without any incisions. Fillers, including in combination with NCTF®, additionally provide immediate volume. Where skin laxity is more pronounced, we often recommend a minor surgical procedure. However, the deciding factor is always the individual case, the skin structure, and what you are hoping to achieve through your treatment at artethic® in Düsseldorf.
What does cheek or temple tightening cost?
Costs depend on the chosen method, the amount of material required, and the number of sessions needed. A detailed cost estimate will be provided following your personal consultation at our practice, artethic® Dr. Schuhmann & Colleagues in Düsseldorf.
Is there any downtime?
With minimally invasive methods such as hyaluronic acid, polynucleotides, skinboosters, or radiofrequency treatments, there is usually no downtime, or at most one to two days. Mild swelling and redness are normal; these typically resolve within two to three days and can usually be covered with make-up. Following a one-stitch facelift, however, you should allow yourself a little more time to recover – sutures are removed after approximately one week.
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