Best Way to Reverse Sunken Cheek Look Due to Weight Loss and Exercise?

Sunken eyes and cheeks can be a side effect of heavy exercise and as such lower body fat. This can be improved by application of facial fillers or fat grafting. We have found sculptura and Voluma to be our two products of choice. Sculptura functions by stimulation of new collagen formation and it can last up to two years. Voluma is an immediate filler which can last close to two years. Both can result in very natural yet augmented looks.

Thank you for your question. There are options in treating loss of volume in the midface. Injectable fillers are likely the quickest, with fast treatments that produce nearly instant results. You should enjoy your improvement for many months - possibly up to two years for some patients. The next option would be a collagen stimulator like Sculptra, which is injected deep into the dermal tissue to trigger the body to produce more collagen. As collagen levels rise, the midface becomes fuller. Results take up to six months to fully develop, but are extremely natural and can last up to two years.

The final option would be facial fat grafting - where we remove excess fat from an area of the body like the abdomen and inject it into the face. This tends to produce the most durable result, but it can also be the most unpredictable. This procedure should only be performed by an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon to ensure the best possible result. Fillers and Sculptra can be safely and successfully injected by an experienced, board-certified injector.

Thank you for your question. Volume and contouring of the cheeks can be created with well-placed fillers (Voluma, Radiesse, Bellafill) and Sculptra. Implants or fat are alternatives. Botox and radiofrequency can help slim and contour the jawline. Liposuction can help slim the face. Ultherapy, J Plasma and rf treatments can provide skin tightening and lift. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Dear Mychaelp,There are different options depending on the location of the fat lossFor overall fat loss, Sculptra is great because there is minimal to no downtime, and results can last 2+ yearsJuvederm, restylane, and Radiesse are also really great, but you if need large volumes, Sculptra would be better (or fat transfer)When you are ready, please see a facial expert who treats these issues both surgically and non surgically so you can go over all of your optionsBest regards,

Dr. Nima

Member, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Board Certified in Head and Neck Surgery

 

If you have lost volume in your face due to weight loss, there are options available to help you restore fullness. Some of the most popular ways to regain lost volume in the cheeks are dermal fillers such as Voluma or Sculptra. Voluma is a hyaluronic acid gel filler that adds immediate volume, while Sculptra works to stimulate collagen production in your skin, leading to long-lasting results. Fat transfer is another viable option. I recommend having an in-person consultation and evaluation with a board-certified, experienced plastic surgeon to come up with a good treatment plan.

Just about any filler would work to correct sunken cheeks from any cause including Voluma, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra and others. Fat transfer is also a viable option with more permanence. 

This is a great question. First, make sure that you have achieved a healthy and stable weight before seeking cosmetic enhancements.  Second, there are a variety of options. These include fillers (such as Juvederm or Radiesse), Sculptra (a unique type of filler treatment that results in volumization over a series of injections), fat grafts from the abdomen (autologous fat grafting or micro-lipoinjection), and finally, placement of implants. For the hollow cheek area, underneath the cheekbones, a submalar or combined malar-submalar implant can be an ideal, and permanent, solution. Best of luck!

Exercise and dieting can definitely cause sunken cheeks.  This is very common in the area underneath the lower eyelid in the main portion of the cheek and in the temple region.  It can be reversed by putting weight back on, however I do not suggest this. 
 
When you put weight back on you cannot guide where the fat will deposit and you may wind up putting fat back on to your abdomen, legs and buttocks instead of in your face.  The best treatment I have found for this area would be injection of Rejuviderm or even fat transfer to the face.  This can typically be done either in the office or under IV sedation. 
Please visit my website for more pictures.
Thank you,
 
J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS

Most people don't want to gain weight back just to add some cheek volume. Non-surgical options include injectables with longer-lasting options of Radiesse (~ 1 yr) or Sculptra (~ off label; 2 yrs) being our preferred methods. Fat transfer represents a minimally invasive option, but it comes with at least 7-10 days of downtime and you may require more than just 1 treatment. Cheek implants are powerful and permanent, but surgical. They are placed through the inside of the mouth. Cheek implants come in various sizes and styles to fit the patients specific needs. After weight loss, it is commonly the submalar hollow (below the cheek bone itself) that requires most of volume.

Unfortunately, working out and weight loss can lead to volume loss in the face.  While your clothes fit better and you feel healthy, you may have noticed that your face looks older or "sunken".  
There are several options for improving facial volume including implants, fillers, and fat grafting.  Implants and fat grafting are considered surgical and permanent options.  Fat grafting is a wonderful option for all over facial volume rejuvenation but can be less predictable than fillers.  Also, if you have lost weight, you may not have as many options for liposuction to harvest the fat.  
Fillers are temporary options.  Voluma is a great option for the cheeks and Juvederm for folds and hollows of the lower face.  There is also a filler available in the US called Sculptra Aesthetic which is great for overall facial volume - especially after weight loss.  The treatment is a solution that stimulates your body to make more collagen as the product degrades.  The collagen/volume that your body creates builds over about 3 months for a natural overall increase in volume that is long-lasting.  Sculptra usually requires a series of 3 injections, spaced about 4 weeks apart for the full effect.  All of these options have advantages and disadvantages.  I recommend a consultation with a qualified surgeon to have an exam and discuss options in detail.