Treatments for Sagging Cheeks: Causes, Prevention Tips, and Treatment
As we age, skin loses elasticity and facial fat pads start to diminish. This leads to sagging skin on the cheeks and midface area. While some degree of sagging is natural with aging, there are ways to prevent and treat it for a more youthful appearance. Let’s explore the causes, prevention tips, and both surgical and non-surgical options for lifting and volumizing the cheeks with a deep plane facelift in the UK.
Causes of Sagging Skin
There are several factors that contribute to sagging cheeks:
- Loss of collagen and elastin – These proteins keep skin firm and elastic. Their production declines with age.
- Loss of facial fat – Fat compartments in the cheeks provide structure and volume. As we age, these fat pads shrink.
- Gravity – Over time, gravity causes skin and facial tissues to descend.
- Sun exposure – UV radiation damages skin elasticity over time.
- Smoking – Chemicals in cigarettes degrade collagen.
- Genetics – Some people are prone to sagging cheeks at an earlier age.
Prevention Tips for Sagging Skin
While sagging cheeks are largely inevitable with aging, there are some preventive steps you can take:
- Moisturize daily and use sunscreen to maintain skin elasticity.
- Don’t smoke, which accelerates aging.
- Maintain a stable, healthy weight.
- Sleep on your back to avoid sleep lines that can stretch cheek skin.
- Perform facial exercises like chewing motions to stimulate cheek muscles.
Surgical and Non-Surgical Options for Sagging Skin
There are a variety of options, both surgical and nonsurgical, for lifting the cheeks:
Facelift
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that tightens underlying muscles and re-drapes skin of the face and neck. Incisions are made around the ears and hairline to lift sagging cheeks, jowls and neck. A facelift can produce a refreshed, youthful look that lasts up to 10 years.
Liposuction
With liposuction, a plastic surgeon uses a cannula to suction out fat deposits through small incisions along the cheeks and jowls. This minimally invasive procedure removes fat to recontour a sagging face. Mild bruising occurs but recovery is relatively quick.
Facial Implants
Cheek implants are solid silicone inserts that fit over the cheekbones to provide projection. They effectively fill sunken regions and lift a sagging lower face. The 30-60 minute surgery has a short recovery. Results are permanent but implants could require replacement decades later.
Stem Cell/Fat Injections
Stem cells derived from a patient’s own fat can be injected into the cheeks. The stem cells have regenerative properties that stimulate collagen production for natural-looking volumization and lifting of sagging cheeks. Multiple treatments are usually needed but results can last 2-3 years.
Exosomes
Exosomes are tiny vesicles released from stem cells that activate repair and regeneration. Exosome facials and injections contain highly concentrated doses to rejuvenate sagging cheeks. Exosomes boost collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid for visibly plumper, firmer skin.
Contact Dr. Tunc Tiryaki for a Consultation for a Deep Plane Facelift in the UK
If you are bothered by sagging jowls and cheeks, schedule a consultation with leading facelift surgeon Dr. Tunc Tiryaki. He performs customized deep plane facelifts in London and throughout the UK. With his expert surgical techniques, patients look 10-15 years younger with natural-looking, long-lasting results and minimal scarring. Contact us today to see if you are a candidate for a deep plane facelift in the UK.