Flat cheeks are a common issue among plastic surgery patients. Flat cheeks can be present from a young age due to developmental and genetic factors. Flat cheeks may also come from the natural aging process, as facial fat and bone tissue shrinks with time. As a result, facial sculpting with plastic surgery can be applicable for a wide range of individuals.
Top plastic surgeons consider the cheeks as a broad area, which can be subdivided into the upper cheek, mid cheek, and lower cheek zones. The lower eyelid is also evaluated as part of the cheek region during cosmetic consultation. The particular anatomy of these cheeks zones will affect aesthetic appearance and will vary among individuals.
General classification of the cheek region by plastic surgeons: upper cheek (blue), middle cheek (pink), lower cheek (green).
Adding volume is one the most popular methods to treat a flat cheek, especially of the middle and upper cheek regions. Volume enhancement comes primarily with facial filler injections, fat transfer, or cheek implants. A cheek lift procedure, often combined with a facelift, will also treat flat cheeks.
Facial Fillers
Facial fillers are soft gels that facial plastic surgeons use to sculpt and contour the face. These fillers are used by top injectors in various areas beyond just the cheeks, which include the smile lines, dark under eye circles, and lips. Advanced injectors are also treating the upper eyes, temples, and nose with facial filler injections. Results with fillers last several months or longer based on many variables.
Read more about filler injections.
Facial filler injections to enhance the cheeks by Dr. Chaboki. This patient also received a nonsurgical brow lift with Botox (or similar) injections.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is another natural method to contour the face and cheeks. Fat transfer involves taking a small amount of fat from the abdomen or thighs and gently transferring to the desired areas of the face.
Fat transfer is thought to have some rejuvenating properties due to stem cells, but has increased volume enhancement from the fat itself. Fat transfer usually takes less than hour. Fat transfer has more recovery, as compared to fillers.
Read more about facial fat transfer.
Cheek Implant
Cheek implants provide a long-term augmentation of the cheeks. These implants vary based on material, size, shape, and position. Plastic surgeons typically use silicone for implants. Implants can be subdivided into malar, submalar, or combined types that correlates with the desired cheek zone being augmented.
The video above shows a silicone cheek implant with its relative position on the face. Plastic surgeons place cheek implants directly ontop of the bone via a small incision inside the mouth.
Buccal Fat Reduction
Flat cheeks can be present in a patient with excess lower cheek fat. This cheek fat of the lower cheek region is called buccal fat. Patients with excess buccal fat may not appreciate their relatively flat upper cheeks and only see the extra fat in the lower cheek area. Excess buccal fat is typically reduced via small incision inside the mouth to sculpt the face.
Read more about buccal fat reduction to contour the cheeks.
As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chaboki sculpts the face based on the specific needs and preferences of each patient. Dr. Chaboki treats both men and women frequently with cosmetic treatments for a refreshed and natural result. Contact the office for flat cheek consultation.
Have you used dissolvable clips that hold the tissue in place while it heals?
Thank you for reading the blog!
We often use dissolving sutures after plastic surgery, such as eyelid surgery, neck lift, and facelift surgery. I perform rhinoplasty via closed, preservation rhinoplasty so don’t need external sutures for nose procedures.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
I just wanted to say thank you for your very informative article.
Thank you for reading the blog and support!