Asian descent - Options for flat mid face? (Photo)

Thank you for your thoughtful question. Flatness in the midface is a common concern, particularly among individuals of Asian descent, due to natural differences in facial bone structure and soft tissue projection. You’re absolutely right that sometimes a rhinoplasty can highlight midface volume deficiencies rather than solve them.

Here are the main options available:
1. Cheek Fillers (Malar/Midface Filler)
Minimally invasive and often the first-line treatment.

Adds volume to the malar (cheekbone) or submalar area to create more forward projection.

Results are temporary (typically 12–18 months) but effective in restoring balance.

Great for testing whether adding volume to that area improves overall harmony before considering surgery.

2. Pyriform Aperture Filler
Targets the area just next to the base of the nose.

Can support the nose base and lift the midface subtly.

Often combined with cheek fillers for a more cohesive and natural correction.

3. Facial Implants
Permanent solution compared to fillers.

Cheek implants or paranasal (pyriform) implants can enhance structure and projection.

Typically performed by facial plastic surgeons or oral maxillofacial surgeons.

Requires downtime and carries more risk than fillers but has long-lasting results.

4. Le Fort I Advancement (Orthognathic Surgery)
A major surgical procedure involving bone movement, typically reserved for severe skeletal deficiencies or malocclusion (bite misalignment).

While it offers structural correction, it’s not typically needed for mild to moderate midface flatness, especially if your concern is aesthetic rather than functional.

Recommendation:
For most patients with mild to moderate midface flatness, starting with hyaluronic acid-based cheek and/or pyriform fillers is the safest and most efficient way to see if volume restoration provides the improvement you’re looking for. If you’re happy with the change, you can continue with maintenance treatments or eventually consider implants for a longer-term solution.

Orthognathic surgery (Le Fort I) is rarely necessary unless there are structural or dental indications beyond cosmetic concerns.

There are both temporary and permanent solutions. Fillers can be placed to reduce the flatness, but they will need to be replaced yearly. Silicone cheek implants would offer a more permanent solution.

One of the features of the Asian face is malar hypoplasia (small cheek bones), which creates flat, sometimes concave midface. Placement of cheek implants of different size/shape may correct this condition. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with expertise in facial implants is recommended. Good luck.