Can You Add Definition to Your Cheeks Without Surgery?

In addition to lush lips, full cheeks and high cheekbones are two traits that are commonly associated with beauty and youth. Not to mention, cheekbones add to the overall structure and harmony of the face. Many people wish that they could enhance the structure of their face to give it a more defined look, especially since flat or poorly defined cheekbones develop due to aging as fat pads descend on the face and skin loses its elasticity. In other cases, the cheekbones may simply lack structural support and not have enough projection. A sunken appearance may occur if there is a lack of tissue between the bone arch of your cheek that goes below your eye and your lower jawbone area. Illness, poor nutrition, personal habits such as smoking and not getting much sleep, and exposure to harsh weather that causes your skin to lose elasticity can also contribute to a look of sunken cheeks. When this is the case, the face can sometimes appear unbalanced, and the lack of dimension can give your face a lifeless look. Traditionally, surgical procedures were the only way to add fullness and correct underdeveloped cheeks, but now there are also non-surgical, minimally invasive options such as Juvéderm®. Westlake Village’s Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist, explains that facial fillers and other non-surgical techniques can help to add lift and boost the volume in the mid-face.

Many people find non-surgical in-office treatments to be ideal because even though the results are less dramatic than what could be achieved with surgery, there is almost no recovery time required and only minimal discomfort—if that—during the treatment itself.

Use Facial Fillers

The most common fillers used for adding definition to the cheeks to give them a more striking appearance are hyaluronic acid-based injectables like Juvéderm® Voluma®. When it’s injected in the right amount into the right areas of the cheeks, filler creates better-defined angles that many people consider desirable. Experienced injectors ensure the results look as natural as possible rather than overdone by using small amounts of filler. Even though Juvéderm Voluma® is often used to give the cheeks a softer appearance, it can also give them a more angular structure, depending on what type of look the patient wants to create.

Try Long-Term Skin Tightening Procedures

Collagen depletion is a leading cause of skin laxity, so it follows that you can preserve tighter skin by having treatments that are designed to gradually encourage collagen production. RF skin tightening, laser skin resurfacing, and microneedling are some examples of treatments that boost skin volume and tightness.

Try Chemical Peels

When in doubt, another great way to preserve tighter skin is with chemical peels. By removing the uneven layer of dead skin cells that clog the pores, peels stimulate skin cell turnover. They usually contain ingredients that promote collagen production.

Prevent Skin Sagging

As with most signs of facial aging, when it comes to flattened cheeks, prevention is better than cure. To maintain your skin’s firm appearance or prevent the sagging from getting worse, you can make certain changes to your routine at home. Not smoking, maintaining a diet rich in antioxidants, and using good skin care products such as retinoids, vitamin C, and other products with antioxidants can make a difference.

Since sun exposure causes your skin to lose elasticity, it’s critical that you wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 each day. Don’t underestimate the importance of sleep for repairing your skin. Your skin regenerates at night, so when you’re constantly sleep deprived, the collagen and elastin fibers gradually deteriorate, and this contributes to a loss of elasticity. Between seven to nine hours of sleep each night is an ideal amount for adults.

Get more advice on defining the cheeks, as well as general rejuvenation, from Westlake Village’s Pierre Skin Care Institute. For more information, call the practice at 805-496-9190 or submit a contact form online to schedule a consultation and find out more about the benefits of facial fillers.