Till there’s the choice for a real-life Benjamin Button impact (growing older backward, which scientists are trying to unravel), our facial buildings will change considerably with loads of droops and wrinkles as we age. One a part of the face that’s significantly impacted is the cheeks, that are plump and bouncy as a child after which flatten out over time. Because of aesthetic developments, there are extra options for sagging cheeks now than ever earlier than, whether or not you’re on the lookout for a nonsurgical or surgical modality, or a skin-care product to enhance it. Learn on to seek out out which choices prime facial plastic surgeons advocate for worthwhile outcomes.
What causes our cheeks to sag?
Beverly Hills, CA facial plastic surgeon Kimberly J. Lee, MD says that along with particular person genetics, the sagging of cheeks is primarily attributed to the pure growing older course of, which includes a mix of things. This consists of lack of pores and skin elasticity; fats and quantity loss; and gravity.
“As we grow old, the manufacturing of collagen and elastin, that are important proteins liable for sustaining the pores and skin’s elasticity and firmness, decreases. This results in sagging and drooping of the pores and skin, together with the cheeks,” explains Palo Alto, CA facial plastic surgeon Sachin S. Parikh, MD. “Moreover, just like the proteins within the pores and skin, the ligaments and muscle tissue that present assist to our facial buildings can weaken and stretch over time, resulting in a lack of firmness and contributing to cheek sagging.”
One other change is that the fats pads within the cheeks can diminish or shift downward, leading to a sunken or hollowed look, provides Palo Alto, CA facial plastic surgeon David M. Lieberman, MD. “This lack of quantity contributes to the sagging of the cheeks and may make the nasolabial folds—the traces extending from the nostril to the mouth—extra distinguished. Furthermore, the fixed downward pull of gravity could cause the gentle tissues within the face to progressively descend. This impact, mixed with the lack of facial fats in sure areas, can contribute to sagging of the cheeks.”
Lastly, way of life components can play an enormous function in how we age. “Exterior influences and way of life components, corresponding to extreme solar publicity, smoking, poor weight loss program, and insufficient skincare, can speed up the growing older course of and contribute to the breakdown of structural components, additional exacerbating the sagging of cheeks,” Dr. Parikh says.
What are one of the best methods to carry sagging cheeks with out surgical procedure?
Relying on the severity of the affected person’s sagging pores and skin and their desired final result, nonsurgical therapies can be utilized for rejuvenation. These are a number of the mostly used strategies:
Dermal Fillers
“Injectable fillers, corresponding to hyaluronic acid-based fillers, can be utilized to revive quantity to the cheeks and carry sagging pores and skin,” says Dr. Lieberman. “The filler is injected strategically so as to add quantity and create a extra lifted look. Outcomes are momentary and sometimes final a number of months to a 12 months.” FDA-approved Restylane Contour received our 2023 NewBeauty Award for Greatest Cheek Filler, because it’s the one cheek filler with XpresHAn Expertise, which permits the hyaluronic acid gel to maneuver together with your dynamic expressions and create natural-looking outcomes for as much as a 12 months.
Radiofrequency (RF)-Assisted Microneedling or Ultrasound Remedy
“These energy-based therapies stimulate collagen manufacturing and tighten the pores and skin,” Dr. Parikh explains. “RF microneedling therapies, corresponding to Morpheus8, and ultrasound therapies, corresponding to Ultherapy, may also help carry sagging cheeks and enhance total facial firmness. They need to be administered in an preliminary collection, after which repeated each couple years to ‘contact up’ the outcomes. Finally, surgical procedure could also be required to realize any additional enchancment.”
Thread Lifts
Although not as buzzed-about as they have been a couple of years in the past, thread lifts contain inserting dissolvable threads with tiny cones or hooks beneath the pores and skin of the cheeks to carry the pores and skin right into a younger place. “The threads are gently lifted from in entrance of the ear to raise the sagging cheeks quickly,” Dr. Lieberman says. “Nevertheless, we don’t supply thread lifts at our apply as a result of the outcomes we’ve seen haven’t been vital or long-lasting.”
Surgical Options for Lifting Sagging Cheeks:
When nonsurgical modalities aren’t producing the specified outcomes or the surgeon doesn’t suppose it’s the best choice for his or her affected person, surgical procedure could also be really useful. These are the go-to procedures:
Fats Switch or Facial Implants
In some instances, Dr. Parikh says fats switch or facial implants can be utilized to revive misplaced quantity within the cheeks. “Fats switch includes eradicating fats from one a part of the physique and injecting it into the cheeks to carry and rejuvenate the realm,” he explains. “Facial implants, alternatively, are artificial supplies surgically positioned within the cheeks so as to add quantity and carry.”
Mid-Facelift
“A mid-facelift repositions sagging tissues and restores quantity within the midface space.” Dr. Lieberman explains. “It addresses deeper indicators of growing older, corresponding to nasolabial folds and hollowed cheeks, offering extra vital and longer-lasting outcomes in comparison with nonsurgical choices.”
Conventional Facelift
A standard facelift lifts sagging cheeks and in addition addresses different facial areas such because the jowls and neck, for a extra full, harmonious consequence, says Dr. Lieberman. “Throughout a deep-plane facelift, underlying tissues are repositioned, extra pores and skin is eliminated and the pores and skin is redraped to create a younger look.”
Can skin-care merchandise assist carry sagging cheeks?
Sadly the outcomes from skin-care merchandise are momentary and may’t present the identical stage of carry and firmness as surgical or nonsurgical procedures, however that doesn’t imply they’re not an vital a part of the equation. In line with the specialists, there are a number of substances one ought to incorporate into their routine if sagging cheeks are a primary concern.
“These substances are implausible for total pores and skin high quality, and since all of them work in a different way, it’s advisable to construct a routine that makes use of most or all of them,” says Dr. Parikh. “Constant, long-term use of skin-care merchandise is essential for optimum outcomes. Whereas they received’t stimulate pores and skin to construct a big quantity of quantity deeper within the cheeks, their capability to plump, easy and cut back traces make them effectively definitely worth the funding.”
Retinoids
“Topical retinoids, corresponding to retinol or prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin, are identified for his or her anti-aging advantages and may also help stimulate collagen manufacturing, enhance pores and skin texture and promote a firmer look over time,” says Dr. Lee.
Peptides
In line with Dr. Parikh, peptides are quick chains of amino acids that may assist assist collagen manufacturing and enhance pores and skin elasticity, which may assist firmness.
Hyaluronic Acid
This widespread hydrating ingredient is revered for its plumping energy, although momentary, and is nice for dry, growing older pores and skin.
Vitamin C
“Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that may assist shield the pores and skin from oxidative stress and stimulate collagen manufacturing,” Dr. Lee explains. “Common use of vitamin C serums or lotions can contribute to a younger and firmer look.”
Moisturizers
Dr. Lieberman says that protecting the pores and skin adequately moisturized may also help enhance its texture and make it seem extra supple. “Search for moisturizers with hydrating substances like ceramides, glycerin or pure oils to nourish the pores and skin.”
Sunscreen
“As at all times, utilizing sunscreen is one of the best factor you are able to do in your pores and skin, to delay cheek sagging, and each different growing older symptom,” says Dr. Parikh. “Defending the pores and skin from dangerous UV rays is crucial for sustaining pores and skin well being and stopping untimely growing older. Common use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with a excessive SPF may also help stop photoaging and preserve the firmness and elasticity of the pores and skin.” Dr. Lee prefers bodily sunblocks made with minerals (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) moderately than chemical-based sunscreens. “Common use of sunscreen may also help decrease the breakdown of collagen and elastin attributable to UV radiation,” she says.
