Evidence first
Claims about safety, effectiveness and duration are backed by reputable sources, and linked.
Editorial standards
How we keep our guides accurate and independent
This policy explains how we choose sources, review medical claims, correct mistakes and keep advertising away from what we write.
Principles
Six rules every guide follows
Plain language
We explain terms and avoid marketing phrases such as "miracle" or "painless".
Named medical review
The medically reviewed label only appears when a named reviewer has actually reviewed the article.
Dated and updated
Every guide shows when it was published or last updated.
Independent of advertisers
Listings and any future advertising never influence what an article says.
No invented stories
We do not publish fabricated patient stories or testimonials. Images are illustrative unless labelled.
Process
From question to published guide
- 1
Pick a real question
Topics come from what patients ask: cost, safety, recovery, how to choose a provider.
- 2
Gather sources
We collect and read the best available evidence before writing a word.
- 3
Draft and fact-check
A second editor checks every figure, claim and link.
- 4
Medical review
Articles with clinical or safety claims go to a named reviewer.
- 5
Publish and revisit
We schedule reviews and update sooner if guidance or products change.
Sources
Where our information comes from
We prefer sources in this order. Where evidence is limited or changing, we say so.
1
Regulators
Approvals, safety communications and labelling from bodies such as the US FDA, MHRA, Health Canada and the TGA.
2
Professional bodies
Practice guidance and consensus statements from dermatology and plastic-surgery societies.
3
Peer-reviewed research
Studies and systematic reviews for effectiveness, duration and complication rates.
4
Manufacturer information
Prescribing information and instructions for use. Never the only source for a claim.
Medical review
Articles that make clinical or safety claims can be marked as medically reviewed. The label is shown only when a named reviewer has reviewed that article, together with the date of the review.
Reviewers do not endorse products or providers, and they are not paid per recommendation.
Updates and corrections
We show when each article was last updated and revisit articles when guidance or products change.
If you spot an error, tell us which guide and what is wrong. Factual corrections are made promptly and, where the change matters, noted on the article.
Independence and funding
TheCheekFiller is currently independently funded. In future we may offer featured directory listings or display advertising. Any paid placement will always be clearly labelled and will never change what we say about a treatment.
Articles do not recommend individual providers.
Found something we got wrong?
Tell us which guide and what to fix. We will look at it promptly.