Cheek Hollowness – Juvederm Voluma or Cheek Filler?
Hello,
Welcome to Hev Dermatology.
This post was written in accordance with the Medical Service Act and was created by a medical institution operated by a board-certified dermatologist at Hev Clinic, with the consent of the patient who received treatment.
It is not intended to emphasize treatment effects or personal treatment experiences, but rather to provide general information about dermatology and aesthetic procedures.
The photos used in this post meet the following conditions:
- The same individual appears in both the before and after photos.
- The dates when the photos were taken before and after treatment are specified.
- The photos were taken under the same conditions.
This post provides various medical information, including possible side effects that may occur from the procedure. In accordance with Article 56, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 7 of the Medical Service Act, diagnoses and treatment results may vary depending on the individual, and both effects and side effects may differ from person to person.
※ This article was written directly by the director of Hev Clinic for the purpose of providing information about dermatologic and aesthetic procedures.
Today I’m sharing a real patient review. Our client (OOO) originally came in asking about Juvéderm Voluma, but after a thorough consultation, we decided that side cheek (temporal/zygomatic) hollowness filler would be the best option for her goals.
Before: 2023.05.23 | After: 2023.06.05
Photos are posted with consent. These are original, unedited images of the same person taken in the same location.
Results vary from person to person. Please consult with your physician in advance regarding possible side effects such as pigmentation, bruising, swelling, and more before proceeding with any treatment.
OOO told us she first found us after watching a “self-procedure” video on YouTube. If you’re reading this—hello!
Case 1: Late 30s (Female) — Side Cheek Hollowness Improvement
She was comfortable with the idea of fillers. After starting orthodontic treatment, she noticed her side cheek hollows became more pronounced—and that was her biggest concern.
She initially considered Juvéderm Voluma, but because she didn’t want to wait several months for gradual changes, she chose filler for a more immediate visible volume improvement after treatment.
Front view
When the face is naturally slim, hollow side cheeks can make the cheekbones look more prominent. Some people then consider unnecessary procedures like cheekbone reduction or facial contouring surgery—which is unfortunate, because the “problem” is often a volume deficit, not the bone.
Side view
For this case, we focused on filling only the hollow areas to refine the contour while keeping the result natural.
Even though we didn’t perform any cheekbone-related procedure, you can see the face looks softer and more balanced.
Before treatment, the hollow cheeks made the cheekbones stand out more, creating a thinner and more tired impression. This is one of my favorite treatments because it can refresh the overall facial volume on the same day.
With a high-quality product and careful technique, filler can be one of the most reliable ways to achieve a refined, natural-looking result.
Next, I’ll show a case where we improved front cheek hollowness (midface volume loss) using filler.
Case 2: Late 30s (Female) — Front Cheek Hollowness Improvement
Our client (OOO) had a graceful, “announcer-like” look—very elegant features overall.
However, hollowness in the front cheek area created shadows under the eyes, making her look more tired than she actually was. Our goal was to soften the shadows and restore gentle midface volume.
Front view
Side view
Front cheek hollowing is sometimes mistaken for under-eye dark circles or under-eye fat bulging, so people may focus on the wrong cause. In many cases, restoring midface support can make the under-eye area look brighter and more rested.
Before: 2023.01.31 | After: 2023.02.15
Photos are posted with consent. These are original, unedited images of the same person taken in the same location.
Results vary from person to person. Please consult with your physician in advance regarding possible side effects such as pigmentation, bruising, swelling, and more before proceeding with any treatment.
Even with front cheek filler only, the overall impression can look softer and healthier, with more natural facial volume.
Key Takeaway: What’s the Difference Between Juvéderm Voluma and “Regular” Filler?
Because I perform both Juvéderm Voluma and filler procedures, patients often ask about the differences—especially when they’re deciding which option fits their timeline and goals.
- Patients coming for Voluma ask: “How is this different from filler?”
- Patients coming for filler ask: “How is this different from Voluma?”
From a clinician’s perspective, the injection approach can feel similar in many ways—however, what patients notice most is:
- The product characteristics (texture, behavior in tissue)
- How quickly results are visible
In simple terms, the tools and injection depth can be comparable, but the way each product “settles” can feel different.
Here’s an easy way to understand it:
- Filler is more cohesive and holds its shape well. That means the injector needs to sculpt and balance carefully during placement. Results are typically visible right away (though swelling can temporarily affect the look).
- Juvéderm Voluma behaves more like a hydrated gel. Immediately after injection, it may look subtler, and the final improvement can appear more gradually as the product integrates and hydrates.
Even with Voluma, because it’s used to improve sunken areas, it still requires an optimized plan and precise technique—just like filler—regardless of whether the change is instantly dramatic. How well the product hydrates and settles is also important.
This is also why some YouTube videos mention that Voluma results tend to be better when performed by doctors who are experienced with filler-based facial design. After watching those videos, many patients come in with detailed questions.
So when someone asks, “Do you also do filler?” what I often hear is:
“Can you achieve strong, well-designed results with Voluma the way you can with filler—where I can see changes right away?”
Of course, I can answer “Yes,” but in the end, real before-and-after photos usually explain it best—which is why I wanted to share these cases today.
Whether you choose filler or Juvéderm Voluma, I’ll tailor the design and technique to restore volume in sunken areas as naturally and effectively as possible.
Thank you.
