Cheek volume, mid-face volume, smile lines, nasolabial folds, and the jawline all contribute to cheek volume and definition. If that seems like a lot to consider, fear not. Creating your perfect cheek aesthetic does not require you to memorize that list — we’ll leave that to the plastic surgeons.
There’s just something about those cheekbones seemingly carved from stone, or the unexpected and naturally appealing appearance of a dimple with someone’s smile. A talented makeup artist with the right set of tools can create these appearances through makeup contouring, highlights, and lowlights… the Kardashians anyone?
Unfortunately, these magnificent transformations last only as long as the products that created them allow. Cheek volume and definition is a major component of facial aesthetic and symmetry. Hollow or sagging cheeks from volume loss, overly full cheeks, cheekbones without definition, or a lack of dimples in the smile lines can be addressed with cosmetic plastic surgery solutions that will definitely last more than one great night.
To better understand the anatomy of the cheek, let’s look at the bones of the face. The zygomatic bones (aka cheekbones or malar bones) compose the widest part of the cheek and sit below, and lateral (towards the ears) to the eyes. The zygomatic bones, along with the maxilla (upper jaw), and a few other small facial bones contribute to the eye socket. The zygomatic bones also articulate with the temporal and frontal bones of the skull.
The term buccal refers to structures related to the cheek. Running your tongue around the inside of your mouth shows the cheeks are mostly soft tissue suspended between larger facial bones. The buccal mucosa lines the sides of the inside of the mouth. The cheeks contain the buccal fat pads, which are an important component of cheek alterations in cosmetic procedures. The largest salivary glands, the parotid glands, sit in front of both ears in the posterior (towards the back) part of the cheeks. (1)
Variations across cheek appearance in men and women of all ages and ethnicities can result from genetics, aging, body type, and previous cosmetic procedures. A review of the bone and soft tissue composition of the cheek (as discussed above) leads to a natural comprehension of how bone structure (like the cheekbone and jawline), fat pads, glandular tissue, skin elasticity, and weight contribute to the overall cheek volume and definition.
Over an individual's lifetime, weight fluctuations and collagen/elastin breakdown will most significantly contribute to the natural evolution of the cheek into a more sagging, looser appearance.
Cheek appearance is affected by both cheekbone definition and the volume of the soft tissue composing the cheek. Below is a breakdown of the unique sub concerns associated with the cheek:
The appearance of the cheek, defined from the zygomatic bones to the lower jaw, contributes significantly to overall facial aesthetic. It is generally considered that sharper, more defined, and toned cheeks serve to enhance an individual's appearance.
For some, however, overly defined cheekbones can create a sagging and hollow cheek that can look gaunt or undesirable. Regardless of concern, there are corrective and refining procedures to enhance cheek volume and definition.
Whether you desire to look like the elves of any fantasy series, or are seeking to augment cheek volume, there are numerous cheek reduction or cheek augmentation procedures to refine and define cheek. Cheek Augmentation (cheek implants), Buccal Fat Removal (cheek reduction), and Cheek Surgery, can create your best look. Below is a breakdown of the unique concerns and their possible enhancement procedures:
This appearance can create a lack of definition and volume, or make facial structure appear overly harsh. Cheek Augmentation/Cheek Implants can fill out and soften this appearance. Injectable dermal fillers like Botox, hyaluronic acid, Juvederm xc, Juvederm voluma xc, and radiesse are available. Generally, options include, Cheek augmentation with fillers, Cheek augmentation with implants, and Cheek augmentation with fat transfer.
May contribute to an appearance of a bloated or formless cheek area. A cheek reduction procedure like Buccal Fat Removal can help to precisely define the cheek and cheekbones.
Altering the underlying bone structure can help to redefine the upper face and cheek area. A Cheek Surgery procedure like Zygoma Reduction Plasty (Cheekbone Reduction Surgery) is used to accomplish this.
Can be created with a simple Cheek Surgery procedure like Dimpleplasty which alters the soft tissue of the cheek along the smile lines.
To learn more, check out our complete guide to Cheek Augmentation & Cheek Reduction Solutions.
