Facial contouring is an important consideration when creating a beautiful, proportionate appearance. When certain features are weaker or less defined than others, it can throw the entire face out of balance. Cheek augmentation is one way to counter this imbalance, by creating volume and definition in the midface that can put the other features into proper proportion as well. If you are interested in cheek enhancement, Dr. Robinson at Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery has a couple of choices for you to consider.
Causes of Weak Cheeks
Cheeks that lack strength or definition may be due to a number of factors. Some patients are simply born with a lack of definition in the cheeks due to inadequate underlying bony projection, which can become a greater cosmetic concern as the individual reaches the adult years. Others may have suffered from a defect or injury the affected the shape and appearance of the cheek. Cheek augmentation can address these issues and create a fuller, natural look to the midface to create proportion in the entire facial profile.
One of the most common reasons for weak cheeks is simply the aging process. In our youth, our bodies produce ample amounts of collagen, elastin and underlying fat to provide adequate to give cheeks their plump, rounded appearance. Over time, these important structures can become depleted, leading to skin laxity and hollowing around the midface. Cheek augmentation can be a way to reverse that trend and restore a more youthful appearance.
What is Cheek Augmentation?
Cheek augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that adds fullness and definition to the cheeks. This aesthetic goal may be accomplished one of two ways:
Dermal Fillers
Injections of dermal fillers like Restylane Lyft or Voluma add support to the underlying skin structure as well as the deep fat pads of the midface, giving the cheek bones the fullness they lack. These treatments can be performed in just a few minutes and involve no downtime afterward. However, the results are temporary and will need to be repeated every few months to maintain positive results. In some cases, patients may want to undergo a dermal filler treatment before surgery to get an idea of how they will look with fuller cheeks.
Cheek Implants
The most common method of cheek augmentation today is the placements of synthetic implants into the midface area to provide the desired shape. These implants work in a similar fashion to breast implants, with a variety of shapes and sizes that allow us to customize your procedure to your specific facial features. Implants are placed via a surgical usually performed on an outpatient basis at Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery.
Cheek Implant Choices
A variety of cheek implant options are available today that allow us to tailor your implants to your desired results. Cheek implants come in three basic shapes:
Malar – used primarily to create a higher projection of the midface, malar implants are generally placed directly on the cheekbone
Submalar – this implant shape produces a fuller shape to the cheeks overall and is frequently used to address facial hollowing seen during the aging process that occurs directly underneath the cheekbone
Combined – a combined implant offers the benefits of both a malar and submalar implant to create fullness and definition on the entire midface area
In addition to options in shape, cheek implants also come in a variety of materials. Solid silicone is the most popular type of implant, but patients can also sometimes choose from a high density polyethylene known as Medpor or Gore-Tex. Dr. Robinson typically uses synthetic implants due to the natural results they offer.
The Cheek Augmentation Procedure
Cheek augmentation is generally performed on an outpatient basis using general anesthesia. Very small incisions are placed inside the mouth, preventing any visible scarring after surgery. If cheek implants are performed alone, the procedure usually takes about one hour.
However, cheek augmentation can also be performed with other procedures, such as a brow lift, chin augmentation or rhinoplasty to produce more dramatic results. If performed with a facelift, the procedure may take longer and some patients may need an overnight stay in the surgery center before they are ready to return home. Dr. Robinson will talk to you prior to your surgery about what you can expect in terms of duration of the procedure and recovery time afterward.
Recovery from Cheek Augmentation
After cheek augmentation, most patients find the amount of discomfort to be relatively minimal and effectively managed with oral pain medication. There is usually swelling around the cheek and underneath the eye, which begins to subside within 3-4 days. Patients can apply ice to the area to minimize swelling and also help the discomfort.
Sutures used to close the incisions in the mouth are dissolvable, so you won’t need to return to have them taken out. You will be advised to stick to a liquid diet for the first few days, gradually moving to a soft diet as the area heals. Patients typically return to regular activities within a week, and any minimal residual swelling resolves around two weeks.
One Surgery, Long-Lasting Results
The best advantage to cheek augmentation surgery, beyond the positive aesthetic results, is the fact that you can enjoy permanent results from a single procedure. On the other hand, if you decide you don’t like the implants after a period of time, or you want to make changes to your facial profile, you can easily schedule another surgical procedure to do so.
Cheek augmentation is an effective way to restore balance and youth to the face by adding fullness to the midface and cheekbones. Dr. Robinson is experienced in cheek augmentation procedures and will be able to help you find the implants that will provide the best possible aesthetic results for you.
If cheek augmentation sounds like the right procedure for you, contact Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery today at 770-667-3090 to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Robinson.