If you want to enhance your facial features, a simple cheek augmentation could be just what you need. Having high and defined cheeks, that accentuate your eyes and lips, creates an overall attractive look. For some, the problem is having too-round cheeks that give the face a “chubby” appearance.

Whatever the reason might be, if you are unhappy with your cheeks, there are plenty of options for you. From cheek augmentation surgery to buccal fat removal, in this article, our plastic surgeons share their favorite cheek enhancement procedures, both surgical and non-invasive, to help you achieve the defined features you want.

With cheek augmentation, your plastic surgeon can add volume and lift your cheeks. As we age, our bodies lose elasticity, volume, and tone. The cheeks are one of the first areas where this becomes noticeable, with cheeks becoming saggy, hollow and droopy. If this is your case, cheek augmentation can help fix that and give you a naturally youthful contour. 

There are two main surgical options for cheek augmentation; cheek implants and fat transfer.

Cheek augmentation with implants

Most cheek implants are made from silicone, a material that can mimic the feel and texture of natural tissue. Cheek implants come in different shapes and sizes, designed to adapt to a wide variety of aesthetic goals. Some implants are placed right on the cheekbone to create sharper angles while others are placed right below, to provide a slightly fuller and younger appearance on the cheeks.

Cheek implants are an outpatient surgery performed under local anesthesia and sedation. During surgery, the doctor will make small incisions either on the inside of your cheeks or under the lower eyelid, depending on the technique preferred for the procedure. 

Recovery is faster than you’d think too! At first, it’s normal to experience swelling and bruising. Most patients also need to take a week off work and a break from exercise and strenuous activities to allow the body to recover completely. As with any silicone implant, you need to talk to your surgeon about the risk of implant displacement and replacement.

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Dr. Fuentes’ patient treated with a rhinoplasty, chin and cheek implants.

Cheek augmentation with fat transfer 

Another viable option if you are looking to get younger-looking cheeks is having a fat transfer. First, you need to have liposuction to retrieve the donor fat – which will then be filtered and purified before being injected into your cheeks. It is normal for your surgeon to inject extra fat since the body reabsorbs part of it. Due to fat reabsorption, some patients might need additional sessions. If you think you might be interested in having fat transfer to your cheeks, talk to your surgeon about the pros and cons of this method.

By injecting fat into an area that has lost volume, the surgeon can provide a younger volume of the cheeks, contouring the face to achieve a rejuvenated look. Fat transfer is an outpatient procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia, depending on the area where you’re getting the liposuction.

A Guide to non-invasive cheek enhancements

The best alternative to cheek enhancement surgery are dermal fillers. Made mainly of hyaluronic acid, this gel-like injectables can brighten your look with a few quick pokes and give you gravity-defying, plumper cheeks. 

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Most surgeons prefer dermal fillers instead of cheek silicone implants because: 

• They are non-invasive, meaning no surgery, operating room or incisions 
• Dermal fillers require no anesthesia or downtime. 
• Risks are extremely low, given that hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by our bodies.
• Results are natural
• Patients can go back to their normal routine immediately after their filler session, without having to stop working or exercising

They are also a more convenient alternative to fat injections for most patients because the surgeon knows how often you’ll need a filler touch-up.

A Guide to Cheek Reduction Surgery

On the other hand, you might be interested in cheek reduction. Known as Buccal Fat removal, this procedure thins the cheeks, sculpting your face and highlighting your cheekbones. 

During buccal fat pad removal, the surgeon makes an incision inside your mouth and removes the fat pads. This surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia and is fairly quick. While some inflammation is to be expected,  you’ll be able to appreciate a slimmer and more contoured cheek area immediately after the surgery.

If your cheeks are either saggy, too round or too hollow, our board-certified plastic surgeons have an option for you! Contact VIDA Wellness and Beauty now at (619)738-2144 to schedule a one-on-one consultation with our experts.