Sunken-cheeks-causes-treatments

De Transcrire-Wiki
Aller à la navigation Aller à la recherche

Sunken Cheeks – Causes & Treatments

[post_date] [post_comments] [post_edit]











Sunken cheeks — the hollowing between the cheekbone and jawline that gives the lower face a flat or gaunt — are one of the most markers of facial ageing, and one of the most to . The right entirely on the cause: age-related volume loss to different interventions than genetic bone structure or .


This guide covers the actual causes of sunken cheeks, the treatments that work ( and non-surgical), who suits each approach, and the lifestyle that influence both the appearance and the of results.


What causes sunken cheeks


Several distinct factors contribute, often in combination:


volume loss. The most common cause. The fat of the mid-face progressively thin from the 30s onward — particularly the deep medial cheek fat and the nasolabial fat. As these compartments deflate, the cheek loses its forward projection and the area the .


Bone changes. The facial itself changes with age. The (zygoma) can become less prominent through subtle . The maxilla (upper jaw) reduces in height, retracting the mid-face. These bony changes to the overall of the cheek area.


predisposition. Some have hollowed cheeks from a young age due to bone structure (less prominent arch) or genetically lower fat density in the mid-face. This isn’t ageing — it’s anatomy.


Weight loss. Significant weight loss reduces facial fat substantially. For patients whose face was previously fuller, the appearance can include pronounced cheek other facial changes. This is common after weight loss whether from diet, bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, or illness.


Sun damage and skin quality. UV damage thins the skin and the descent of underlying tissue. The hollowing appearance is partly a consequence of weakened skin combined with volume loss beneath.


. Reduces blood supply to facial tissue and accelerates both fat atrophy and skin deterioration. Long-term smokers show more pronounced cheek hollowing for their age than non-smokers.


conditions. Some conditions produce facial fat loss as a — HIV-associated lipoatrophy (historically), certain medications, severe illness. These require specialist assessment alongside cosmetic consideration.


Excessive or restrictive diet. Very lean body composition with low body fat percentage facial hollowing. The face is one of the last areas to retain fat — when overall body fat drops below a certain threshold, the cheeks lose volume.


The treatment depends entirely on which factors are dominant in your particular case.


Dermal filler — the first-line non-surgical treatment


For most with sunken cheeks, using hyaluronic acid is the most effective . Filler placed at strategic anchor points along the volume and projection, lifting the tissue and reducing the visible .


Where filler is placed:


The result: of the youthful "ogee curve" — the gentle convexity that defines a cheek — and softening of the visible hollow below. The change is immediate and further over 2 weeks as swelling .


What to expect:


How long it lasts: months for most patients. Cheek filler filler in more mobile areas like the lips.


Cost: from £450 per syringe; typical uses 1-3ml depending on the extent of .


For comprehensive cheek filler with other anchor points, see our page. For the broader filler discussion, see our .


Facial fat transfer — the longer-lasting alternative


For wanting more or longer-lasting volume restoration, uses the patient’s own fat (harvested by from the abdomen, thighs, or flanks) and places it into the hollow areas of the face after processing.


of fat transfer:


Considerations:


What to expect:


Cheek implants — the surgical structural option


For patients with substantial volume loss where filler or fat would require very large volumes, or for patients whose bone is inadequately regardless of soft tissue, cheek implants permanent augmentation.


The uses solid placed through small incisions, positioned over the cheekbone, and secured. The result is permanent enhancement of the underlying bony framework. Once placed and Liquid Facelift healed ( 6-8 weeks), the implants don’t change with time.


Advantages: permanent, structural, doesn’t maintenance.


Disadvantages: surgical procedure with associated risks (infection, malposition, palpability), commitment, less feel than fat transfer.


Cheek implants are appropriate for a specific subset of with genuine bony structural deficiency, not for most patients with age-related cheek . Most patients are better served by filler or fat transfer.


Mid-face lift


For whose cheek hollowing is by descent of the — the cheek tissue has both lost volume and slipped — a or specific mid-face procedure may be appropriate.


This isn’t a treatment for sunken cheeks alone — it’s a for combined volume loss and tissue descent. The technique repositions descended cheek tissue back to its position, through rather than volume addition.


Mid-face lift is appropriate for patients with:


For the broader options, see our guides on , , and .


For the of when filler vs surgery is appropriate, see our guide on .


Biostimulators for skin quality alongside volume


For whose sunken cheek appearance is accompanied by poor skin quality (crepiness, thin skin, surface ageing), bioremodelling treatments dermal alongside whatever volume restoration is performed:


— skin through high-concentration HA injection at specific anchor points. Improves elasticity, hydration, and overall skin . See our .


DNA-fraction injections that stimulate fibroblast activity and dermal through different biological mechanisms.


(Redensity 1 and others) — combined HA, amino acid, antioxidant, and mineral injections for skin improvement.


These don’t address volume directly but improve the skin quality, making the volume restoration look more .


Energy-based skin tightening


For patients whose cheek appearance is affected by skin laxity in addition to volume loss, energy-based treatments can and improve the skin alongside other treatments:


dual-wavelength laser including intra-oral pass. Tightens skin and quality.


radiofrequency microneedling for deeper skin tightening.


lipolysis for more substantial skin tightening with about a week of .


These can be combined with filler or fat transfer for comprehensive non-surgical rejuvenation — see our for the broader treatment philosophy.


Who suits which approach?


The right treatment depends on the cause:


Mild to age-related volume loss: cheek filler, often with skin .


Substantial volume loss in younger patients: fat transfer for .


Post-weight-loss hollowing: filler or fat transfer depending on extent; cheek implants in selected cases.


predisposition with otherwise normal facial proportions: filler or cheek implants depending on the patient’s for reversibility vs. permanence.


volume loss and mid-face descent: surgical mid-face lift, possibly combined with fat transfer.


Volume loss with significant skin quality concerns: combined plan including filler/fat transfer + + energy-based treatments.


A consultation establishes which combination your specific anatomy and goals.


Lifestyle factors that genuinely matter


For all patients with sunken cheeks, several factors significantly affect both and treatment longevity:


Body fat percentage. Very lean body produces facial . For whose cheek hollowing is partly weight-related, modest weight gain (or moving away from extreme leanness) can produce meaningful .


Stable weight. weight cyclingrepeated loss and gain — protects facial fat from chronic atrophy. The face is one of the most areas of the body.


Sun . Daily SPF 30+ on the face protects against the UV damage that accelerates both volume loss and skin changes. The single highest-impact measure.


Stop . Smoking facial volume loss dramatically. smoking doesn’t existing damage but substantially slows further deterioration.


Limit alcohol. Chronic high intake facial fat and damages skin quality. helps.


Sleep position. Sleeping consistently on one side can subtle facial asymmetry over decades, though this is minor to other factors.


Stress management. stress aging through multiple mechanisms. stress real .


These habits don’t eliminate sunken cheeks but slow further loss and extend the duration of results.


Cost summary


, 0% APR, are available across all treatments.


Common questions


For weight-related hollowing, modest weight gain can restore some volume. For age-related or genetic hollowing, no lifestyle intervention the volume — only does.


Not when conservatively dosed. The aim is restoration of projection, not enhancement. Overfilled cheeks typically result from years of accumulating filler without appropriate dissolving — the effect rather than any single treatment.


Immediate visible . Final result at 2 weeks once swelling .


HA cheek filler can be dissolved with within hours. This is one of the safety of HA filler over alternatives.


The donor site ( area) is more uncomfortable than the site for several days. Both heal with appropriate .


Limited evidence. The muscles in question aren’t easily strengthened by deliberate exercise, and even strengthened muscles wouldn’t significantly restore the missing volume. Facial are a without significant downside, but they’re not a for sunken cheeks.


work on the outer layers of skin and can improve hydration and surface appearance. They don’t reach the subcutaneous fat compartments where ageing changes actually occur. skincare is a useful adjunct, not a treatment.


Yes — most work well with appropriate . A typical plan might include cheek filler + Profhilo + Morpheus8 over 2-3 months, with maintenance approximately .


Yes — filler or fat transfer can restore volume lost through weight loss. The treatment effect doesn’t depend on the original cause. However, future weight matters — significant weight loss can affect the result.


is appropriate whenever the appearance you and your anatomy is . There’s no specific age . Patients in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond all have cheek . The and product choice are tailored to your specific anatomy and goals.


Centre for Surgery · CQC-regulated · GMC specialist-registered surgeons · · · ·


Filed Under:

Share this post
Primary Sidebar

I agree to receive marketing ()


I agree to receive marketing ()


Centre for is a hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering plastic and cosmetic through GMC-registered . Our expertise spans facial and , , for men, and body such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and results sit at the heart of everything we do.


Centre for is a CQC-regulated private on London’s iconic , offering and cosmetic surgery led by GMC-registered consultant surgeons.




Marylebone

London

W1U 6RN





Mon – Sat, 9am – 6pm

Saturday consultations available