Youthfulness Lies Beneath the Cheeks

It’s been considered breakthrough to learn that fat fillers used to add volume in the cheeks can improve many aspects of the face in just a few minutes time. As reported in the June issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, fat fillers can add volume to the cheeks and enhances the hollow appearance in the rest of the face as well.

When using fat fillers in the deep cheek fat compartment, volume loss under the eyes, nasiofold lines (smiles lines) and curvature of the upper lip improves. In the study, surgeons used cadavers to locate the precise position of the deep fat compartment under the fat beneath the skin of the cheek. They also uncovered three more fat compartments within the face. They injected a latex substance into the primary fat compartment under the cheek and noted complementary changes in the measurements of cheek volume and surrounding muscles.

Cheek implants were formerly the only procedure choice for building volume in the cheeks. Today, there are a variety of methods available to improve the appearance of cheeks and enhance the rest of the face. The thread lift may be used to lift the cheeks and improve the nasiofold area (smile lines). Tissue Fillers may be used to build volume in the cheeks and under the eyes. Fat fillers for the cheeks have been used more commonly in Europe for a number of years. Fat fillers are expected to be more popular in the US over the next several years. Yet, the procedure is highly technique driven. Outcomes can vary depending upon how the fat is prepared as this has an impact on the amount of fat that may dissipate over time. A select number of plastic surgeons use fat fillers in the U.S. at present time.

Are you considering plastic surgery? If so, please contact a board certified surgeon to become better informed about your options.