Condition: Sunken Cheeks

August 2, 2024

Sunken and hollow cheeks are a classic sign of ageing, representing an inevitable aspect of the natural ageing process where facial volume diminishes, causing cheeks to recede inward towards the facial bones instead of maintaining their youthful fullness.

Understanding the factors contributing to this can guide effective treatment approaches aimed at restoring facial volume and revitalising overall facial appearance.

What Are Sunken Cheeks?

Sunken cheeks are a common aesthetic problem, featuring a hollow or gaunt appearance in the mid-face area.

This condition can make people look tired, aged or unhealthy, affecting overall facial balance and self-confidence.

Lack of cheek volume can accentuate the look of cheekbones and create shadows, contributing to an older, more fatigued appearance.

Common Causes of Sunken Cheeks

Sunken cheeks can arise from a combination of various factors. Understanding these causes is essential for effective treatment and management. Here’s a closer look at the primary contributors:

Age-Related Volume Loss

One of the main causes of sunken cheeks is age-related loss of volume.

With age, the skin loses its elasticity and the surrounding fat, which gives the skin its plump appearance, begins to diminish.

The production of collagen and elastin, essential proteins that maintain the skin’s firmness and suppleness, diminishes over time.

The result is a reduction in facial volume, making the cheeks appear hollow and less defined.

In addition, the natural bone resorption in the mid-face area can aggravate this hollow appearance, making the cheekbones more prominent.

Genetic Factors

Genetics plays a crucial role in shaping facial structure and the distribution of facial fat.

Some people naturally have less fat in their cheeks, predisposing them to hollow cheeks.

If sunken cheeks come into your family, you’re more likely to suffer from the condition, whatever your lifestyle or age.

Lifestyle and Environmental Influences

Lifestyle choices and environmental factors can speed up the development of sunken cheeks.

Smoking, excessive sun exposure and chronic stress can all contribute to the deterioration of collagen and elastin, accelerating the ageing process and exacerbating the loss of facial volume.

A healthy lifestyle and skin protection against external aggressors are vital to preserving facial fullness.

Symptoms and Identification

Recognising the symptoms of sunken cheeks can help you determine if you may benefit from treatment. Common signs include:

Hollow or Gaunt Appearance: The mid-face area appears sunken, creating a hollow or gaunt look.
Prominent Cheekbones: The cheekbones may appear more pronounced due to the lack of surrounding volume.
Shadowing: Shadows and dark areas may become more noticeable around the cheeks, giving a tired appearance.

Loss of Contour: The natural contour of the cheeks is diminished, affecting the overall facial harmony.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Sunken Cheeks

Fortunately, there are effective non-surgical treatments available to restore volume and rejuvenate sunken cheeks. Among the most popular and effective options are:

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injectable treatments designed to restore lost volume, smooth out wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. They are particularly effective for treating sunken cheeks by adding fullness and improving the overall facial balance. Most dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the skin that helps maintain hydration and volume.

Dermal fillers offer several benefits for sunken cheeks:

Patients can see noticeable improvements right after the treatment.
The procedure is quick and involves minimal recovery time.
Our skilled practitioners ensure that the enhancements look natural and not overdone.
While the results are temporary, they can last from six months to over a year, depending on the type of filler used.

Fat Transfer

Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, offers a more natural solution for sunken cheeks.

This procedure involves harvesting fat from another part of the body, purifying it, and injecting it into the cheeks.

While the recovery time is longer compared to fillers, the results can be more dramatic and long-lasting.

Laser and Non-Surgical Options

Non-surgical options, such as laser treatments, can also help improve the appearance of sunken cheeks.

These treatments stimulate collagen production and enhance skin texture and volume.

Laser therapy and other non-invasive procedures offer subtle yet noticeable improvements with minimal recovery time.

Maintaining Your Results

To maintain the results of your treatment and prolong the youthful appearance of your cheeks, consider the following tips:

Schedule regular follow-up treatments as recommended by your practitioner to maintain the desired volume.
Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to support skin health and volume.
Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and plump.
Protect your skin from excessive sun exposure by using broad-spectrum sunscreen and wearing protective clothing.
Smoking accelerates the ageing process and contributes to volume loss, so quitting smoking can help preserve your results.

Get An Appointment

Sunken cheeks can have a significant effect on the overall aesthetics of your face, but they don’t have to be a permanent problem.

Take the first step towards a revitalised appearance by scheduling a FREE consultation at Auralia Clinic.

Discover how our tailored advanced treatments can help you regain lost volume, improve facial contours and achieve a rejuvenated, youthful appearance.

For more information, visit Auralia and discover the benefits of our treatments.