Cheekbone Enhancement
The cheekbones define the mid-face and are a critical element in the overall balance and harmony of the face. Full, rounded, well-positioned cheekbones can give the face a youthful appearance that exudes vitality. On the other hand, flat, pitted cheekbones can make a person look aged and tired.
If you want to get the well-defined, sharp cheekbones you've seen on many celebrities, plastic and cosmetic surgeons can give them to you with both surgical and non surgical cheek augmentation procedures. Please continue reading to see how you can get fuller cheeks and strong cheekbones, both with and without surgery.
What is the ideal cheekbone shape?
There is no such thing as an ideal cheekbone. A person's appearance is a personal choice and different shapes appeal to different people. However, in general, cheekbones that are neither too high nor too low on the face are considered attractive. To look good, the cheekbone should be centered on the malar (cheek) bone and should follow a gentle curve from zygomatic arch to the nose.
Unfortunately, with age, the cheekbone tends to flatten and droop. This happens because of volume loss due to absorption of malar fat and bone in the upper jaw. As we grow older, the face which has a more triangular shape during youth takes on an inverted triangle shape due to drooping of the cheekbones with age. These changes can be corrected with a non surgical technique called injectable fillers or a more permanent solution with cheek implants.
Benefits of Cheek Augmentation
Low cheekbones can make the jaw and nose look more prominent and the eyes look sunken and hollow, leading to an unattractive appearance. One of the key benefits of cheek enhancement is that it can lift sagging mid-face tissues and help you achieve high cheekbones. This gives better definition to your facial features and makes you look younger and fresher. High cheekbones can revitalize your appearance by bringing out your eyes and smile. Defining and augmenting the cheekbones can help you achieve more attractive and balanced facial features. Skilled plastic and cosmetic surgeons can give you naturally beautiful cheeks that don't look "done."
How can I increase my cheekbone size?
There are essentially two ways to address low cheekbones and restore a more youthful appearance to your face - one is a non surgical cheek augmentation procedure that is done with dermal fillers. The other is a surgical cosmetic procedure that uses cheek implants to lift your cheekbones and restore volume to your cheeks and mid face. Please keep reading to learn more about these two cheek augmentation procedures. This will help you decide which one might be right for you.
What is non surgical cheek augmentation?
Non surgical cheek augmentation is an office procedure in which a cosmetic surgeon adds volume to the cheekbones with cheek fillers. Another way to perform cheek augmentation is with autologous fat transfer or fat grafting, in which fat cells are harvested from one part of the body (a donor area such as the belly or thighs) and grafted into the cheek area to add volume.
What are cheek fillers?
Cheek fillers are dermal fillers that restore volume to the area around your cheekbones and fill nasolabial folds, thus creating an illusion of a more defined bone structure without surgery. The dermal fillers are injected under the skin tissue of the cheeks by a dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, or plastic surgeon. The injection can also smooth out fine lines and wrinkles to help you look younger.
What are the types of cheek fillers?
Non surgical cheek augmentation can be performed with different kinds of fillers. The most common are hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvederm, Restylane) and poly-L-lactic acid fillers (Sculptra). Some fillers such as hydroxyapatite (Radiesse) can also be used off-label in the cheeks.
How long do cheek fillers last?
Cheek fillers are temporary. Touch up treatments are necessary to maintain the results. This is because the body absorbs the filler material over time. Depending on the type of filler, the results can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
Who’s a good candidate for non surgical cheek augmentation?
Men and women who are in good general health, non-smokers, and do not have any chronic medical conditions are generally considered good candidates for cheek fillers injection treatment. You may not be deemed a candidate for this cosmetic treatment if you have bleeding disorders, allergies to the ingredients in the filler products, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What’s is the nonsurgical cheekbone enhancement procedure like?
You will be seen in initial consultation to determine if you can safely undergo the treatment. If deemed appropriate, your appointment for filler injections will be scheduled. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications before your filler appointment because they can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. You may receive a prescription for an antiviral medication if you are prone to oral herpes (cold sores) outbreaks.
The procedure itself is pretty straightforward. You will recline comfortably in a chair. Most hyaluronic acid cheek fillers contain lidocaine local anesthetic to minimize the discomfort with the injections. Your doctor may also apply a topical numbing cream to the injection sites. The filler will then be strategically placed in the cheeks to get the desired results for cheek augmentation. The entire process takes 15-20 minutes. You can drive yourself home and go back to work and other regular activities right away.
Cheek fillers recovery and results
For the first few days, patients should not sleep on their side to avoid pressure on the cheeks. Doctors usually advise avoiding strenuous exercise for 24-48 hours. Patients should not touch or rub their face during the recovery period. It's important to keep the skin clean and dry to prevent infection. There is no other special aftercare required after non surgical cheek augmentation.
After the cheek filler injection, some enhancement is seen immediately. It might take 1-2 days for the filler to settle and for the final results to be visible.
What are the side effects, risks, and complications?
The most common side effects of filler injections in the cheeks are swelling, redness, bruising, and itching. More serious complications can include an allergic reaction, filler leakage or migration, tissue death due to circulation blockage, nerve injury and vision loss. There is only a slight risk of these complications - they are extremely rare when the facial filler injections are performed by a trained professional.
What are the benefits of cheek fillers?
Non surgical cheek augmentation is an office procedure that does not require general anesthesia or cuts in the skin. There is little to no downtime and recovery is fast. Most patients go back to all regular activity straight away. The results of cheek fillers last for months to years. They are not permanent, so if you're unhappy with your look, you won't be stuck with the result. Also, cheek fillers are a low-risk procedure and serious complications are rare.
How much do cheek fillers cost?
The cost of your non surgical cheek augmentation will depend on the type of filler used and how much product is needed to achieve the desired results. Each syringe of a dermal filler costs anywhere from $650 to $900. Cheek fillers are a cosmetic procedure and are not covered by health insurance plans.
Surgical Cheek Augmentation
If you would like a longer-lasting solution for cheek enhancement, plastic surgery with placement of cheek implants can help you obtain a more youthful appearance that does not require repeat treatments.
What is cheek implant surgery?
Cheek implant is an outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia with sedation. It takes 30-60 minutes to perform. Plastic and cosmetic surgeons make a small incision under the upper lip in the mouth or behind the lower eyelid to access the cheekbone area. This minimizes visible scarring. They then place the cheek implants in a pocket in the mid-face and attach them to bone or soft tissue. The implants are strategically placed to give the face a more balanced and beautiful structure. The incisions are closed with sutures and bandages are applied for support and protection.
The cheek implant surgery is often combined with chin augmentation because the appearances of the chin and the nose affect each other. If the chin is left unchanged, it may not give the most optimal results. Your doctor may also suggest simultaneous treatment to correct concerns of an aging face or neck. The general idea is to achieve the right proportions so that the facial profile looks good.
What is recovery from cheek implants like?
It is common to have some minor discomfort, bruising, and swelling after cheek implants placement. Prescription pain medicine can help with these symptoms. There can also be some temporary difficulty with facial movements like smiling and talking. Your doctor may advise some diet restrictions to prevent excessive tugging on the implants. Most patients can return to work about one week after their chin and/or cheek enhancement.
How much do cheek implants cost?
On average, based on estimates by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the cost of cheek implants is around $3,500.
Ready to contact plastic surgeons for cheek enhancement?
Want more information on cheek enhancement? Can't decide between surgical and non surgical cheek augmentation? Don't want to go around town visiting multiple doctors for consultation? The MeTime app makes it easy to find experienced plastic and cosmetic surgeons in your area. You can chat with experts, send photos across, do a video consultation, and book an office consultation for cheek enhancement when you're ready. Download the MeTime app today and take the first step towards fuller cheeks.
