Restore facial definition and volume to sagging cheeks,and take back your youthful appearance with cheek implants.
For centuries, high cheekbones have been recognized as one of the most defining traits to a youthful appearance. From Hepburn (either one) to Hadid (either one), this notable characteristic is also a shared feature of beauty’s most notable icons. We equate full, high cheeks with youth and beauty because when one’s facial structure has the greatest width from ear to ear, and narrows at the chin (i.e. an upside down triangle), it is most aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. However, with age the cheeks begin to hollow, causing the jaw to become the widest point from end-to-end, and the “triangle of youth” begins to flip. Unfortunately, this loss of volume and elasticity in the cheeks is extremely common. Fortunately, cheek implants are a quick fix to sagging, restoring volume and the facial contours of your youth. Three basic types of facial contouring implants are available: silicone rubber, fat, and bone. Below, we provide a brief description of each.
Silicone Implants: Similar to a breast implant, an artificial cheek implant is made of silicone, with a variety of sizes available to be best fit each patient’s needs. Unlike a breast implant, however, a cheek implant is solid, so there is no chance of rupture. Silicone affect is isolated to the cheekbones, and small inner corner of the eye. The implant is placed at the cheekbone, atop the periostium and just beneath the eye, through the inside of the mouth. As a result there should be no noticeable scar or stitches. The tissues around the bone encapsulate the implant and hold it in place. A silicone implant may give fullness to a deflated under eye as well, but the perfect result may require refinement with use of Juvenderm filler. A silicone implant is permanent, so the greatest risks to using silicone implants is that precise placement of the implant may not occur or the sizing is not right. It can easy to go overboard, or do too little, so choosing a surgeon with a strong aesthetic sense for balance and proportion is critical when having this procedure.
Fat Transfer: A fat transfer is the more natural option for cheek implantation. It provides the same result as a silicone implant, but with significantly less risk of improper placement because fat is easier to shape and contour once implanted. Under this approach to the cheek implant procedure, fat is harvested the patient’s flank, or “love handles,” by way of “mini-liposuction.” Tiny globules of fat are retrieved and the fluid it from it is removed, or spun, until the fat itself is pure. The fat is then injected into the area along the cheekbone; one tiny dose at a time. This approach give the surgeon greater ability to achieve precise placement and proportion for the patient. Fat implantation at the cheek can also address other areas in need of rejuvenation, such as the nasolabial folds around the mouth, under eye, upper and lower lip, chin and jaw. All of which can be performed at the same time. For this reason a fat transfer is often the preferred option because of its efficiency in addressing multiple areas of the face in one sitting. The entire fat transfer cheek implant procedure can be performed in the office, under local anesthetic, with an enhanced oral sedative, in under two hours. Fat transfers can last from 3-4 years, but eventually the body reabsorbs the fat. For those patients who prefer a less permanent, more natural option, a fat transfer is for you.
Bone Implants And Fillers: Bone transfers can still be performed, but they are significantly less common. This option is typically not used because it’s very invasive, requiring a bone graft from another part of the body. Meanwhile, fillers can be used to refine lines and wrinkles about the face, but they will not restore volume to cheeks. For optimal results, a filler should be used as a compliment to the cheek implant.
The purpose of a cheek implant is to highlight the patient’s bone structure by accentuating the cheekbones, giving a more refined and youthful look to the face. The added volume also helps to soften the folds and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. When performing cheek implantation, Dr. Madda’s focus is to achieve a natural look that is complimentary to the existing facial structure. And by merely enhancing the various contours of the face, a natural facial fullness can be achieved that won’t leave you looking like a chipmunk. If you have experienced loss of volume in your face, or had little to begin with, cheek implantation might be for you. Contact us today for your free consultation.