Why do Some People Have Apple Cheeks and Others Fat, Flat Cheeks?

asked 8 months ago by curious88 in Washington, DC
Latest answer by Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Question viewed 476 times

Structurally, what separates full, defined apple cheeks (i.e. Mariah Carey and Victoria Justice) from flat, fat cheeks? Is it a matter of where fat is located in the cheek, the thickness of the cheekbone, or something else altogether? I ask because some people have a lot of fat in their faces yet their cheeks look relatively flat and amorphous. What's going on here?

6 answers to Why do Some People Have Apple Cheeks and Others Fat, Flat Cheeks?

Apple Cheeks are due to youthful fat and prominent cheek bones. Flat cheeks caused by flat cheek bones and loss of fat with age.

The shape of the cheek bones, the Maxilla and Zygomatic Arch are the most important determinant of a Prominent Cheek Bone appearance. The Apple Cheek refers to the nice plump youthful appearance of the cheek so often seen in children and referred to as "chubby cheeks.' This fullness is caused by a pad of fat called the Malar Fat Pad. A full prominent curved cheek bone is most important for the full cheek. People with flat cheeks have an underdeveloped cheek bone a condition... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

What causes variation in cheek fullness

You bring up a good question. I find that a big factor in patient not having "full" cheeks is that their cheek bones under-project the overlying soft tissues. Even if there's a normal amount of fullness of this soft tissue the cheeks will appear flat. Granted there is also quite a bit of variation as to how full the soft tissue is as well. Some people have more underlying fat in their face than others. Another effect of having flatter bone structure is that the... more

Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Cheeky-ness

Multiple factors are in play- you can have full, fatty cheeks; but have flat midface/cheek bones. On the other hand you may have good bone structure and minimal fat beneath the skin. You may have both-or none of the above. Depending on your examination, your surgeon will discuss what options may be best suited for your anatomy.

William Loutfy, MD
Albuquerque Plastic Surgeon

Beautiful yloung faces have high cheek bones and a large fat pad in the upper face.

Hi. 1) So what do you do if you don't have these? For young women, both deep (Radiesse) and superficial (Juvederm) fillers will get you at least part of the way there. 2) For women over 40, the mid facelift (done through the mouth) empties out the jowls and fills up the upper cheeks (apple cheeks).

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Inherited facial shape is who you are

The shape of the cheek can be determined by bone structure, muscle, and by the fat distribution, all as determined by genetics and who you are. Facial identity is a genetic fingerprint which should be approached with care. Good facelift is about rejuvenation and reaffirming the structure of youth. Why are some people 'prettier'? Just not fair. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Youthful Cheeks

The basic answer to your question of why some people have "apple cheeks" and others have flatter cheeks is gravity. Although some young people have less prominent cheek bones than others, gravity accompanying the aging process si the main problem. A specific fat pad (malar) tends to descend lower onto the face as we age. It can be moved superiorly or fat can be added to help correct this.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

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